Section 45-2-61.06 Responsibility to certify deaths. - Alabama Statutes

Section 45-2-61.06

Responsibility to certify deaths.

If after conducting a coroner's investigation of a death, the Baldwin County Coroner or the designated deputy coroner is satisfied that the death was not caused by a criminal act or omission, that there are no suspicious circumstances about the death, that the law enforcement agency of the jurisdiction has no questions about the death, and that he or she knows to a reasonable certainty the cause of death, then he or she or the designated deputy coroner may execute a death certificate in the form required by law and authorize release of the body for final disposition on a certificate as prescribed by the State Health Department. If the deceased is unidentified or if the Baldwin County Coroner suspects a death was caused by a criminal act or omission or if the cause of death is obscure or if the law enforcement agency of the jurisdiction has questions about the death, the coroner shall ask a medical examiner for assistance in the death investigation. The state medical examiner or a qualified pathologist under his or her direction, may then execute a death certificate in the form required by law and authorize release of the body for final disposition on a certificate as prescribed by the State Health Department or provide the cause and manner of death to the coroner so the coroner can execute the death certificate. If the state medical examiner executes the death certificate, he or she shall furnish a copy to the coroner at the time of execution.

(Act 92-691, 2nd Sp. Sess., p. 78, §7.)