Friday, Sept. 16, 2005 | 11:18 a.m.
The black canvas tote bag that Clark County Assistant Coroner John Fudenberg uses as a carry-on when he flies often attracts attention -- it's emblazoned with the coroner's office signature "flatline" logo.
"When people see the logo on the bag, people often inquire as to what I do for a living," Fudenberg said. "When I tell them, they either stay away from me or ask me more questions."
Hoping to capitalize on the popularity of Las Vegas and forensic science, the bag and nearly 20 other items bearing the coroner's office logo, including coffee mugs, paperweights, medical scrubs, pens, shirts, hats are now being offered to the public to fund some educational programs.
Among the most popular items are a fake jaw bone that serves as a business card holder and a mock Nevada license plate that says "CORONER" in red lettering.
"We had to re-order them twice," Fudenberg said.
The T-shirt with the biggest "ooh" factor features a slot machine that says "The game of life" on it and "Cashed out in Las Vegas" underneath.
It might raise some eyebrows, but Fudenberg said the merchandise -- which ranges from $3 to $25 -- isn't meant to make a mockery of death.
"We do everything we can to be respectful of the decedents," he said. "I would hope no one would be offended. The last thing we want to do is offend the decedents' families."
County spokeswoman Samantha Charles added: "Even if it was one person (complaining), I think it's something we'd take a serious look at."
Fudenberg and Coroner Mike Murphy were inspired by the Los Angeles County coroner's office, which has taken things beyond what some would consider tasteful.
It has an actual store called "Skeletons in the Closet" and offers items such as toe tag keychains and a barbecue apron that says "The L.A. Coroner has spare ribs and spare hands."
"L.A. is a little more risque," Fudenberg said.
Out of respect for the dead, the Clark County office doesn't advertise the online store where the merchandise can be purchased, Fudenberg said. The items are also available at the coroner's office, but the display case is in an unmarked conference room.
The items were designed by Fudenberg and Murphy, who were looking for ways to fund an expansion of the Clark County Coroner's Visitation Program, a criminal deterrence program for juveniles.
The funds will also help pay for advanced training for the medical staff of the coroner's office.
They formed a nonprofit organization, the Coroner Education & Training Fund, and began offering the goods about a year ago.
Fudenberg and Murphy used $5,000 of their own money to buy the initial merchandise, and within six months they recouped the investment. They've generated nearly $10,000 so far.
Buyers found out about the items through word-of-mouth, but recently an icon was added to the Clark County's home page, www.accessclarkcounty.com, which drew more business.
The office is always adding more items -- one of the newest is a neck cord for an identification badge.
"With the Las Vegas tag on it, we knew this stuff would sell," Fudenberg said. "People love forensic science and they love Las Vegas."
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