§ 63-939. Investigation report forms - Production of records, documents, evidence or other material.

The Chief Medical Examiner shall prepare and distribute to all medical examiners appropriate forms to be used in filing reports of investigation, with instructions as to their use, and detailed instructions as to the nature, character, and extent of investigation and examination to be made in each case in which investigation is required pursuant to Sections 931 through 954 of this title.

Except as otherwise provided by law, the Chief Medical Examiner shall produce records, documents, evidence or other material of any nature only upon the order of a court of competent jurisdiction.  An interested party or litigant in a civil or criminal action may make application for an order to produce such materials.  The court, after notice to all parties, including the Chief Medical Examiner, and a hearing on the application, may, upon the showing of good cause, direct the release of a copy or any part of such material.  In addition, the court may also direct the payment of reasonable costs by the requesting party for the production of the material.  The production of such material shall take place at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner unless, upon a showing of good cause, specifically ordered otherwise by the court.

Added by Laws 1961, p. 606, § 9, eff. Jan. 2, 1962.  Amended by Laws 1972, c. 246, § 8, emerg. eff. April 7, 1972; Laws 1996, c. 234, § 3, eff. July 1, 1996.