PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. --
The St. Lucie County Fire District has clarified its policy regarding the transportation of severed body parts after a former firefighter took an amputated leg from a crash scene and used the foot to train her cadaver dog.
Chief Ron Parrish said in a statement Wednesday that the district has reviewed the policies regarding crash scene procedures and personal photography in light of the incident that occurred Sept. 19 off Interstate 95 in Port St. Lucie.
Cindy Economou, last years firefighter of the year, resigned earlier this month after she admitted to taking Karl Lamberts foot.
I had it placed and double-bagged in a biohazard bag, Economou told WPBF News 25 in a telephone interview.
She then brought the foot to the station, where another firefighter used his personal cell phone to take pictures of it. Those pictures have since been deleted.
Economou said she asked a deputy chief at the scene if she could take the body part to train her personal cadaver dog.
She did not say, Yes, go ahead and take it, but you know, at that point in time, I was not told, No, do not take it. Do not touch it. It needs to be dealt with, you know, however, Economou said.
Parrish also publicly reprimanded captains Mike Rizzello and Robin King regarding the unusual incident which occurred.
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