Montgomery County is now the 14th county in Texas to become a medical examiner's office after commissioners unanimously approved the decision without discussion.
The Tuesday action comes after commissioners approved the department's $3.2 million budget in September.
Dr. Kathryn Pinneri, who became director of forensic services in 2016, will be the county's first chief medical examiner.
"Conversion to a medical examiner's office shifts all death investigation and certification responsibilities to the staff of the forensic services department who are specifically trained and certified to perform these duties," Pinneri said Wednesday. "This allows the justices of the peace to focus on their other job responsibilities, which have also increased over the years."
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Pinneri said until now, county justices of the peace offices have handled death investigations. However, since 2019, Pinneri's office has been assisting those offices with investigations.
District Attorney Brett Ligon said the conversion is essential for the county and will centralize death investigations under one department.
"The fact the department is led by one of the premier pathologists in Texas should give the community confidence that is going on," Ligon said.
Pinneri said that with the growth of the county and several Level II trauma hospitals along Interstate 45, the need for a medical examiner's office has become critical.
"If those patients die (even if they are not from Montgomery County), the death falls under the jurisdiction of Montgomery County," Pinneri said.
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According to the National Institute of Health, a Level II trauma hospital provides immediate, definitive care for all injured patients, with around-the-clock access to general surgeons and a range of specialists, such as orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and anesthesiologists.
Pinneri said between 2017 and 2023, the number of deaths referred to the forensic services department increased 51%. In 2023, more than 1,700 deaths were handled through the previous system. She said that was duplicative and often confusing for families searching for information about their loved ones.
In October 2022, the county opened its new $12 million, 25,000-square-foot forensic facility to give Pinneri and her staff more room to handle cases. The new center at 9900 Carl Pickering Drive also houses the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office crime lab and forensic lab.
Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack said during a previous court meeting the change makes sense.
"It's going to help our offices be more efficient and not have as big of a backlog (on cases)," Wayne said.
Pinneri said she was excited about the new chapter for the department.
"We have made strategic, incremental changes over the past 8 years to prepare for this conversion," Pinneri said. "We are ready."