§ 63-941. Investigation by county examiner.

Upon receipt of notice of death of any person which  under this act is subject to investigation, the medical  examiner shall immediately conduct an investigation into the cause and manner of death, and shall comply in detail with the instructions of the Chief Medical Examiner as provided for in Section 939 of this title.  He may have fingerprints and photographs taken.  He may take charge of any object or writing found on or near the body which he deems necessary for the purpose of establishing the cause and/or manner of death.

Upon conclusion of his investigation and his determination that such objects or writings are no longer needed as evidence, the medical examiner shall deliver them to the district attorney for disposition.

The investigating medical examiner shall have access at all times to any and all medical and dental records and history of the deceased, including, but not limited to, radiographs and electrocardiograms, in the course of his official investigation to determine the cause and manner of death.  Such records may not be released to any other person by the medical examiner, and the custodians of such records shall incur no liability by reason of the release of such records to the medical examiner.  The body of the deceased shall be turned over to the funeral director designated by the person responsible for burial within eighteen (18) hours unless a longer period is necessary to complete the required investigation.

Laws 1961, p. 606, § 11; Laws 1972, c. 246, § 10, emerg. eff. April 7, 1972.