The Westchester Medical Examiner's office is facing drastic job cuts this year, which some county officials claim may severely jeopardize crime solving.

Most of the 115 employees under Westchester Medical Examiner Millard Hyland are working in the county's labs, performing tasks like water analysis for other departments. However, 17 of the people working in Valhalla are responsible for determining causes of death, and if the proposed job cuts go forward, 11 of them could be out of work.

County Executive Andy Spano claims the loss of so many people would effectively shut down the Medical Examiner's operation, which handles some 3,000 cases a year, including 500 to 600 autopsies.

Some officials argue the county should find another way to finance the Medical Examiner?s office, which up until now has been funded by the state.

However, according to Susan Tolchin, Spano?s chief adviser, if the funding of the Medical Examiner?s office will be undertaken by the county, property tax relief would be impossible.

"Another system would have to be set in place," Hyland says. "The state requires either a coroner or Medical Examiner system exist."

For an interview with Dr. Millard Hyland about the impact of state cuts on his office, go to your digital cable box and select iO Extra, Channel 612.