Former medical examiner charged with theft

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - A former Florida medical examiner has been charged with four counts of theft after authorities found more than 100 human organs and tissue in a Pensacola storage unit.

Dr. Michael Berkland had already been charged with improper storage of hazardous waste and one count of public nuisance after authorities made the gruesome discovery in August 2012.

The Florida State Attorney’s Office said it was unable to identify all the remains found in the unit. However, it identified four whole organs and contacted the appropriate people.

“We were able to determine in these four circumstances, who those individuals were and on behalf of the family as the custodian of those remains, we filed these four,” said Chief Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille. “We did investigate this situation. We researched the law dealing with theft and we do believe the theft statute does cover this situation.”

Disciplined Doctors: Dr. Michael Berkland

The District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office in Pensacola told FOX10 many family members were unaware that Berkland kept the remains.

“A lot of these families that we've talked to had no idea,” said Director of the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office Jeff Martin. “So making that telephone call to them and trying to explain to them that we actually have the brain or the heart of one of their loved ones, it's just extremely shocking to them.”

Investigators said they believe all the remains came from private autopsies Berkland performed while also working at the District 1 Medical Examiners Office from 1997 to 2003, when he was fired for not completing autopsy reports.

Berkland is expected back in court on January 9.

Each count of theft is a second degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail.