UPDATE: County Medical Examiner Resigns

Dr. Mark Taff resigned as Rockland County's chief medical examiner effective, Tuesday, Oct. 16, the same day his four year term was up. The county executive’s office announced today that Dr. Taff decided to step down from his full-time administrative duties “to devote more time to his private consultation practice of forensic medicine and pathology, teaching and writing.” He earned $162,679 yearly.

The medical examiner's office conducts about 1,000 investigations each year and performs between 175 adn 200 autopsies annually.  It has six full time employees and four part-time relief pathologists and investigators. 

Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Laura Carbone will serve as the acting chief
medical examiner. She has held that position since 2006.

Dr. Taff will stay on as a forensic pathologist consultant to the Medical Examiner's Office and Department of Health on an as needed basis.  During his tenure, Dr. Taff applied his 30 years of clinical and courtroom experience to upgrading overall death investigations, staffing, institutional efficiency and laboratory operations.

"Every case is of equal importance, especially to the person who died, and those who loved them," said Dr. Taff.

The Medical Examiner's Office opened in 1969 under the leadership of Dr. Frederick T. Zugibe of Garnerville. The medical examiner’s office has the responsibility to determine the cause of death of individuals in the county. 

“Dr. Taff’s service to Rockland County is very much appreciated,” said County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef.