46-4-122. Human deaths requiring inquiry by coroner.
46-4-122. Human deaths requiring inquiry by coroner. The coroner shall inquire into and determine the cause and manner of death and all circumstances surrounding a human death:
(1) that was caused or is suspected to have been caused:
(a) in any degree by an injury, either recent or remote in origin; or
(b) by the deceased or any other person that was the result of an act or omission, including but not limited to:
(i) a criminal or suspected criminal act;
(ii) a medically suspicious death, unusual death, or death of unknown circumstances, including any fetal death; or
(iii) an accidental death; or
(c) by an agent, disease, or medical condition that poses a threat to public health;
(2) whenever the death occurred:
(a) while the deceased was incarcerated in a prison or jail or confined to a correctional or detention facility owned and operated by the state or a political subdivision of the state;
(b) while the deceased was in the custody of, or was being taken into the custody of, a law enforcement agency or a peace officer;
(c) during or as a result of the deceased's employment;
(d) less than 24 hours after the deceased was admitted to a medical facility or if the deceased was dead upon arrival at a medical facility; or
(e) in a manner that was unattended or unwitnessed and the deceased was not attended by a physician at any time in the 30-day period prior to death;
(3) if the dead human body is to be cremated or shipped into the state and lacks proper medical certification or burial or transmit permits; or
(4) that occurred under suspicious circumstances.
History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 660, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 287, L. 1993.