Wisconsin coroner stole body part to train dog, police say

[Rerun]

Fess up...which one of you was it?

Wisconsin coroner stole body part to train dog, police say - Yahoo! News

MILWAUKEE (Reuters) - The medical examiner for Oneida County in northern Wisconsin was released on a $5,000 signature bond on Thursday after she was arrested for allegedly stealing a human body part obtained from an autopsy to train her dog.

Traci England, 44, of Rhinelander, faces charges of misconduct in public office and theft, according to a news release from the Oneida County Sheriff's office.

England told investigators she kept part of a person's spine from an autopsy she performed on Tuesday so that she could train one of her dogs to search for human remains.

She was arrested on Wednesday after an investigation by the Forest and Oneida County sheriff's departments.

England's next appearance in Oneida County Circuit Court was set for January 30, where she is expected to face formal charges.

She is currently on administrative suspension and has been barred from possessing any human remains.

[1sttimeforgsd]

Wonder how they found out that she had taken it?
Thanks for sharing, and I have my idea who it might be.(insert wink)

[ladylaw203]

What a fool. Career down the tubes. No credibility on a witness stand after this.

[jocoyn]

Yikes. That is scary stuff and another reason that legal ways to get access for legitimate use is necessary. There are enough people willing to donate body parts but no systematic way to legally do this most places.

[Good_Karma]

Sooooo.... Was she training in SAR or Schutzhund? But seriously, it had to be SAR right? Otherwise I'm picturing her playing tug with this spine.

[ladylaw203]

I know Nancy, BUT, there is not enough oversight on these civilian cadaver dog and SAR handlers. I see a lot of them and the majority need to do something else with their dogs. HR is right up there with possessing explosives and narcotics for training purposes. Just cannot allow folks to possess it without some controls.

[jocoyn]

No argument there. You need a chain of custody, handling procedures, safety training, and clear understanding of regulations for transport and disposal.

I think a lot of the problem is simply budget. There is no need for most departments to have a dedicated cadaver dog but you need a highly mobile cadre of skilled professionals in the state and that should probably be paid full time positions who. Even though .

I like doing this as a volunteer, but I would not be fighting against something like that as a taxplayer, but I think you probably need a group of about 3-4 folks in a state our size to be able to scale up for a larger cadaver search - I have seen some cadaver searches with 7,8 people and dogs but those are usually planned enough in advance to call in mutual aid.

...but around here even funding positions for police on the street is hard

[Stevenzachsmom]

That is just so totally wrong. i realize that. But.....I am having such a hard time trying not to laugh. I'm sorry.

[Ingrid]

"But seriously, it had to be SAR right? Otherwise I'm picturing her playing tug with this spine."

This is sending chills up my spine...On Wisconsin! : )

[ShenzisMom]

So, if someone needed an amputation could they legally gain control of the separated body part to donate to SAR groups?
Can you put it in your will that at time of autopsy you would like x amount of bone to be removed and sent to SAR groups? (What do SAR groups most commonly use?)
How does a SAR group legally obtain these articles?

Just some thoughts...