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Autopsy backlog plagues Mississippi, with worst delays in US

FILE - Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell delivers remarks during the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol's Cadet Class 65 graduation ceremony, June 30, 2021, in Pearl, Miss. Tindell is a former Mississippi Court of Appeals judge who stepped into his role _ overseeing the state medical examiner’s office, the highway patrol and other agencies _ in May 2020. He called the backlog “unacceptable” and said he's made eliminating it the top priority of his administration. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) CORRECTS TO DELETE THE MIDDLE NAME AND SAY HARBOUR WAS A VICTIM - Denise Spears holds a cell phone snapshot of the wrist bands made in honor of her late step-daughter, Marsha Harbour, in her Meridian, Miss., office, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Although Marsha's husband, Truitt Pace, admitted killing his wife, he was free on bond while court proceedings were partially held up because the Mississippi Medical Examiner's Office autopsy report was delayed for a year, and the trial got held up further because of the pandemic and other factors. Harbour was a victim of domestic violence. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) CORRECTS TO DELETE THE MIDDLE NAME AND SAY HARBOUR WAS A VICTIM - Denise Spears holds a cellphone snapshot of her late step-daughter, Marsha Harbour, in her Meridian, Miss., office, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. The photograph was taken at a conference shortly before her death. Although Marsha's husband, Truitt Pace, admitted killing his wife, he was free on bond while court proceedings were partially held up because the Mississippi Medical Examiner's Office autopsy report was delayed for a year, and the trial got held up further because of the pandemic and other factors. Harbour was a victim of domestic violence. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) CORRECTS TO DELETE THE MIDDLE NAME AND SAY HARBOUR WAS A VICTIM - Denise Spears pauses as she speaks about her late step-daughter, Marsha Harbour, in her Meridian, Miss., office, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Although Marsha's husband, Truitt Pace, admitted killing his wife, he was free on bond while court proceedings were partially held up because the Mississippi Medical Examiner's Office autopsy report was delayed for a year, and the trial got held up further because of the pandemic and other factors. Harbour was a victim of domestic violence. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) A gunshot residue collection kit is pictured in the autopsy room at the Mississippi Crime Laboratory in Pearl, Miss., Aug. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) A variety of forceps and tweezers are arranged on a board in one of the four autopsy bays at the Mississippi Crime Laboratory in Pearl, Miss., Aug. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) A scale rests between each of the autopsy bays in the Mississippi Crime Laboratory in Pearl, Miss., Aug. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) A forensic pathologist reaches for an evidence seal in the autopsy room at the Mississippi Crime Laboratory in Pearl, Miss., Aug. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Rib sheers, a new autopsy saw, a set of forceps and tweezers are arranged in one of the four autopsy bays at the Mississippi Crime Laboratory in Pearl, Miss., Aug. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) The Mississippi Crime Laboratory and office of the State Medical Examiner are located in Pearl, Miss., as seen in this Aug. 26, 2021 photograph. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) A modified and personalized rib sheers, left, and one of several new autopsy saws are arranged in each of the four autopsy bays at the Mississippi Crime Laboratory in Pearl, Miss., Aug. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) The morgue cooler is pictured across from the autopsy room at the Mississippi Crime Laboratory in Pearl, Miss., Aug. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) A computer monitor and a dry erase easel are among the tools pathologists have use of in each of the autopsy bays in the Mississippi Crime Laboratory in Pearl, Miss., Aug. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Evidence collection tubes, sealing tape and evidence collection envelopes are pictured on an autopsy bay in the Mississippi Crime Laboratory in Pearl, Miss., Aug. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) CORRECTS TO DELETE THE MIDDLE NAME AND SAY HARBOUR WAS A VICTIM - Denise Spears has a portrait of her late step-daughter, Marsha Harbour,, second from right, among family and staff photographs displayed in her Meridian, Miss., office, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Although Marsha's husband, Truitt Pace, admitted killing his wife, he was free on bond while court proceedings were partially held up because the Mississippi Medical Examiner's Office autopsy report was delayed for a year, and the trial got held up further because of the pandemic and other factors. Harbour was a victim of domestic violence. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) CORRECTS TO DELETE THE MIDDLE NAME AND SAY HARBOUR WAS A VICTIM - Denise Spears wrings her hands as she speaks about her late step-daughter, Marsha Harbour, in her Meridian, Miss., office, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Although Marsha's husband, Truitt Pace, admitted killing his wife, he was free on bond while court proceedings were partially held up because the Mississippi Medical Examiner's Office autopsy report was delayed for a year, and the trial got held up further because of the pandemic and other factors. Harbour was a victim of domestic violence. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) The four-bay autopsy room is pictured across from the morgue cooler at the Mississippi Crime Laboratory in Pearl, Miss., Aug. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) CORRECTS TO DELETE THE MIDDLE NAME AND SAY HARBOUR WAS A VICTIM - Denise Spears holds a portrait of her late step-daughter Marsha Harbour, in her Meridian, Miss., office, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Although Marsha's husband, Truitt Pace, admitted killing his wife, he was free on bond while court proceedings were partially held up because the Mississippi Medical Examiner's Office autopsy report was delayed for a year, and the trial got held up further because of the pandemic and other factors. Harbour was a victim of domestic violence. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)