The Big Apple and the Big Chill: How Many Medical Examiners Does NYC Need to Keep Up With the Grim Reaper?
You've heard of the city that never sleeps, but have you heard about the city that never stops kicking the bucket? New York City, that energetic, electric metropolis, also boasts a rather robust death industry (though hopefully you won't be a client anytime soon). This brings us to a burning question (though hopefully not literally, because that would be a different kind of medical examiner's case): just how many medical examiners does the Big Apple need to keep up with the dearly departed?
The Autopsy on Autopsy Numbers
Now, this isn't exactly like counting pigeons in Central Park (though that would be a fascinating statistic too). Luckily, the NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), bless their slightly morbid hearts, actually releases this information. Buckle up, because here comes some not-so-deadly trivia:
- The OCME employs a team of roughly 32 forensic sidekicks – the medical examiners themselves. That's a dedicated crew facing off against the inevitable every single day.
But is 32 Enough? A Look at the Caseload
These medical examiner ninjas are busy bees. Every year, they handle an average of 5,500 autopsies. That's a lot of bodies to examine, folks. Imagine explaining to your friend that you were "booked solid" dissecting...well, let's not dwell on the details.
The Math (Because Someone Has To Do It):
Here's where things get a little morbidly mathematical. With 5,500 autopsies a year and a 32-person team, that means each medical examiner shoulders the responsibility for roughly 172 examinations annually. Now, that's not exactly brain surgery (although they might actually perform one on occasion), but it's a significant caseload.
So, the Verdict?
Is 32 enough? Well, that depends on who you ask. The medical examiners themselves might be singing a slightly different tune than the bean counters at city hall. But hey, at least they have job security – you can't exactly outsource examining the dearly departed (although with the way technology is advancing, who knows what the future holds?).
The Takeaway: Stayin' Alive (Because Being Examined by a Medical Examiner is a Drag)
So, there you have it. The next time you're dodging yellow cabs and tourists in Times Square, take a moment to appreciate the not-so-glamorous heroes keeping the city running – even the folks who aren't exactly running anymore. Just remember, while New York City might never sleep, it's always a good idea to take care of yourself – after all, you don't want to end up on a medical examiner's table!
