Mississippi has hired a chief medical examiner, filling a spot that’s been vacant since 1995. 

Mark LeVaughn was deputy chief medical examiner for the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office in Buffalo, N.Y. before coming to Jackson.

Dr. Adel Shaker was hired five months ago as deputy medical examiner, but the forensic pathologist originally named chief medical examiner had to give up the job for health reasons.

The office handles 1,500 to 1,700 autopsies a year.

LeVaughn says he plans to eliminate a case backlog.

Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant, president of the Mississippi Coroners’ Association, says now one medical officer can stay in the office while the other testifies in cases across the state.