Costa Rica’s Judicial Morgue Overwhelmed: A Surge in Homicides Turns Autopsies into Marathons

In a twist that could make a crime novelist blanch, Costa Rica is grappling with a surge in homicides that’s putting an unprecedented strain on its Judicial Morgue. It’s like the morgue is hosting a macabre party, and everyone’s unexpectedly shown up. With the number of murders skyrocketing to 930 this year – a staggering 41% increase from last year – the morgue staff are working harder than Santa’s elves on Christmas Eve.

A Grim Reality of Rising Homicides

Imagine a graph where the line representing homicides looks like it’s trying to escape the chart – that’s Costa Rica right now. This isn’t just a spike in numbers; it’s a leap. And it’s not just the quantity that’s shocking, it’s the quality. The level of brutality in these murders could make the strongest of stomachs turn.

The Drug Trafficking Connection

A whopping 65% of these homicides are tied to drug trafficking and organized crime, making them seem more like scenes from a Hollywood action movie than real life. Victims are no longer showing up at the morgue with a couple of bullet wounds; they’re arriving with up to 100 bullets. It’s like forensic pathologists have gone from being detectives to archaeologists, digging through layers of violence.

The Autopsy Marathon

Performing an autopsy on a body that’s been through such extreme violence is not a sprint; it’s a marathon that can take up to ten hours. The morgue staff are not just dealing with autopsies; they’re piecing together jigsaw puzzles of human tragedy.

Overwhelmed Beyond Capacity

The morgue, designed for a more peaceful time, is now facing a crisis of capacity. It’s prepared for maybe two autopsies a day, but sometimes the number jumps to seven. It’s like they’re playing a gruesome game of Tetris, trying to fit an ever-growing queue of bodies into their schedule.

Not Just Homicides

The morgue’s responsibilities extend beyond these violent crimes. They also handle cases from traffic accidents, workplace mishaps, explosions, fires, natural disasters, and natural deaths without a doctor’s certification. With around 3,300 autopsies annually, it’s like they’re running an assembly line of the departed.

A Staffing Shortfall

Adding to the woes, the morgue is understaffed in forensic medicine. The team, already small, is like a band where members keep retiring but no new musicians are joining. In the next two years, ten more employees will hang up their lab coats for good.

In a country famed for its pura vida, the surge in homicides is a stark contrast, turning the Judicial Morgue into an overworked hub of forensic activity. As Costa Rica confronts this wave of violence, the spotlight shines on the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes, piecing together the final chapters of too many lives cut short. It’s a reminder that behind every statistic is a story, a family, and a challenge for a country grappling with a problem far more complex than any crime novel plot.