In a series of stories ending today, The Observer has documented grave flaws in North Carolina's medical examiner system.
Medical examiners are too few and too poorly trained.
Deaths that should be autopsied aren't, particularly among children and the elderly. The picture of health and death trends in North Carolina is skewed. Foul play and abuse can go undiscovered. These problems cry out for remedy. But unfortunately, state government is being squeezed by stringent budget problems.