Women In Suit Claim Coroner Reused Body Bags
Defense Lawyers Say Practice Contaminates Cases
POSTED: 8:28 am MST January 16,
2004
UPDATED: 8:42 am MST January 16,
2004
In a lawsuit filed against Adams County, three former county coroner employees said they were forced to use and reuse body bags.
The same three women have filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the county but they also claim the Adams County Coroner's Office used, washed, and reused body bags regularly.
"When you reused them you would bring them into another home and possibly contaminate that home and bring it, put another body in it, bring it back out and use them again and again," said plaintiff Michelle Lombardi.Denver Coroner Dr. Tom Henry told 7NEWS, "The common practice is they're not reused for different cases."Defense attorney Phil Cherner said in criminal cases the "concern would be the possibility of contamination of the evidence since DNA is very sensitive."The current Adams County coroner said the allegations were directed toward the former coroner, and says his office does not reuse body bags.
The same three women have filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the county but they also claim the Adams County Coroner's Office used, washed, and reused body bags regularly.
Previous Story:
- January 15, 2004: Women Sue Coroner's Office For Sexual Harassment
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