Sajid S. Qaiser, MD,
FCAP, FRCPC,
District Medical Examiner

In 1970, the Medical Examiner Commission was established, with Brevard County being designated as District Eighteen.  Chapter 406 of the Florida Statutes lists the jurisdictional authority and responsibilities of the Medical Examiners throughout the State.

In Brevard County, a centrally located stand-alone facility was completed in 1986.  Prior to this date, the Medical Examiner functions were performed at area hospitals on a per-fee basis.  Following the death of Dr. L. E. McHenry, Brevard County's first governor appointed Medical Examiner, the Board of County Commissioners, in 1989, resolved to dedicate and name the Medical Examiner Office the L.E. McHenry Medical Examiner Facility.

Dr. Sajid Qaiser is a diplomate of the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic, Clinical and Forensic Pathology. He is also a diplomate of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Anatomical Pathology. Dr. Qaiser performed his residency in pathology at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK, Canada and State University Hospital, Brooklyn, New York. He completed his fellowship in forensic pathology at the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office through Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Qaiser has worked as an associate medical examiner for District 22, Port Charlotte, Florida, and District 18, Brevard County, Florida. On September 29, 2006, Dr. Qaiser was appointed District Medical Examiner for Brevard County.

The DME is appointed by the Governor and under contract with the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners.  The Associate Medical Examiner is appointed by the DME.  All other personnel are Brevard County employees.  County personnel consist of the following team members: 3 administrative support staff, 2.5 forensic technicians, 3 investigators (including the Chief Medical Examiner Investigator) and the manager.

Deaths under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner are defined by Chapter 406 of the Florida Statutes as follows:

A. When any person dies in the state:

• Of criminal violence
• By accident
• By suicide
• Suddenly, when in apparent good health
• Unattended by a practicing physician or other recognized practitioner
• In any prison or penal institution
• In police custody
• In any suspicious or unusual circumstance
• By criminal abortion
• By poison
• By disease constituting a threat to public health
• By disease, injury or toxic agent resulting from employment

B. When a dead body is brought into the state without proper medical certification

C. When a body is to be cremated, dissected, or buried at sea

2004 Annual Report Workload Data

L.E. McHenry

Medical Examiner Facility