News Summary
Dr. Jonathan Lucas has been appointed as the Chief Medical Examiner for San Diego County, succeeding Dr. Steven Campman. With extensive experience in forensic pathology, he aims to address public health concerns and improve toxicology testing capabilities. His leadership comes at a crucial time as the Medical Examiner’s Office tackles rising substance-related fatalities, including recent declines in drug-related deaths attributed to a significant increase in staffing and enhanced operations.
San Diego, California – Dr. Jonathan Lucas has been appointed as the new Chief Medical Examiner for San Diego County, succeeding Dr. Steven Campman, who is retiring after 24 years with the Medical Examiner’s Office, including the last four years in the chief role. Dr. Lucas brings extensive experience in forensic pathology, having managed or supervised nearly 5,000 autopsies throughout his career.
Prior to his new appointment, Dr. Lucas served as the Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner for Los Angeles County from 2017 to 2022, where he oversaw a staff of 250 and catered to a population exceeding 10 million residents. He returned to San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office in 2022 as Chief Deputy, before advancing to the Chief Medical Examiner position.
The Medical Examiner’s Office operates with a budget of $21.2 million and employs 78 staff members, conducting around 4,000 death investigations each year. The office’s primary functions include investigating unnatural, unexpected, violent, and sudden deaths to better track public health concerns.
In recent years, the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office has addressed a backlog in autopsy reports caused by a dramatic increase in fentanyl-related deaths, which rose from 151 in 2019 to over 800 by 2021. Following his appointment, Dr. Lucas reported that this backlog has been resolved, along with a notable 30% increase in staffing since 2022 to handle ongoing demands.
Future initiatives under Dr. Lucas’ leadership include plans to enhance the office’s toxicology testing equipment, aimed at improving both drug detection capabilities and testing sensitivity. Significant progress has already been noted as drug-related deaths in the county decreased by 20% from 2023 to 2024, with deaths specifically attributed to fentanyl dropping by 30%.
Dr. Lucas’s career includes involvement in high-profile cases, notably handling the autopsies of Max Shacknai and Rebecca Zahau in a well-documented Coronado incident in 2011. He earned his medical degree from the University of Nevada School of Medicine and completed a residency at the UCLA Medical Center. He furthered his education with fellowship training in forensic pathology at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in New York City.
Andrew Strong, the deputy chief of the County Administrative Office, commended Dr. Lucas for his expertise and unwavering commitment to public health and safety. In his new role, Dr. Lucas has expressed dedication to upholding scientific excellence and serving the community effectively.
The transition at the Medical Examiner’s Office comes at a pivotal time as the agency navigates complexities related to public health safety and the ongoing impact of substance-related fatalities. With Dr. Lucas at the helm, the county hopes to address these challenges and foster a safer environment for its residents.
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Additional Resources
- County News Center
- Wikipedia: Chief Medical Examiner
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Google Search: San Diego County Medical Examiner
- Times of San Diego
- Google Scholar: Forensic Pathology
- Deccan Herald
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Forensic Medicine
- Hoodline
- Google News: Jonathan Lucas appointment
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
