Section 34-25-21 - Notice to county coroner and sheriff of death without attending physician,physician assistant or nurse practitioner--Preparation of medical certificate. - South Dakota Statutes

34-25-21. Notice to county coroner and sheriff of death without attending physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner--Preparation of medical certificate. If a death occurs without the attendance of a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, the person in charge of the body shall notify the county coroner and sheriff of such death. Upon notification, the county coroner shall complete the medical certificate from the statement of relatives or other persons having adequate knowledge of the facts. The coroner, or deputy coroner in the absence of the coroner, shall complete, sign, and file the medical certificate with the department within five days of the date of death, unless an autopsy or investigation is pending, in which case the pending autopsy or investigation shall be noted on the medical certificate. In the absence of a coroner or deputy coroner, or if the coroner is unable to act, and only in such case, the local registrar shall prepare the medical certificate from the statement of relatives or other person having knowledge of the facts.

Source: SDC 1939, § 27.0209; SL 1968, ch 113; SL 1974, ch 55, § 34; SL 1985, ch 280; SL 1993, ch 253, § 6; SL 2003, ch 186, § 3.