Oklahoma City - For the first time ever in the state, the medical examiner's office has lost its national accreditation.

The offices in Tulsa and Oklahoma City have gotten the lowest score ever given to a state system. The investigators say the quality of work is good, but they warn that the personnel who work in that office have an excessive work load.

Defense Attorney Clark Brewster says the medical examiner's office has some talented people and the office is under-funded. He adds that has already delayed some cases and bogged down others.

"What I think they need is to be property staffed," Brewster says. "The medical examiner's office tells us whether a homicide occurred or whether it was a suicide or an accidental death. They investigate not just criminal matters but also medical errors or potential malpractice. They need to be properly funded."

Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Collie M. Trant says the failing grades are due to under funding, low staffing levels, poor equipment and facilities.

The national investigation found 22 phase two deficiencies. To be accredited there have to be none. The loss of accreditation has widespread ramifications, especially for families who lose a loved one and need a medical examiner's report so insurance companies can pay off policies.

That's what happened to Ronald Smith's family after he died in January.
His wife Susan said they had to wait five months and almost lost everything because of the delays.

"My husband's truck was repossessed, I was getting calls day and night from bill collectors, I almost lost my home, my car," she says. "You've got legal fees all this, different things to handle."

The medical examiner's inspection report shows that some families are still waiting now -- some up to nine months or more. That worries Sharon.

"I was shocked," she says. "My heart goes out to families. Literally you can lose everything you own. My credit stays hurt because of it, and the economy the way it is now my whole department was laid off in April."

She adds when you have a death in the family and have to wait on a state death certificate, that makes it almost impossible to survive. She's offered to testify to the state legislature if it means getting more money for the medical examiner.

Dr. Trant says they need more space, more people and more equipment. No one has added up a dollar amount on that yet but it is said it will be substantial.

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