26-4-7 - Custody by medical examiner. - Utah Statutes

26-4-7. Custody by medical examiner.
Upon notification under Section 26-4-8 or investigation by the medical examiner's office,the medical examiner shall assume custody of a deceased body if it appears that death was:
(1) by violence, gunshot, suicide, or accident unless the accident is a highway accident. Ifthe death was from a highway accident, custody shall only be assumed if an autopsy is requiredor permitted under the provisions of Section 26-4-13 or if requested by the law enforcementagency with jurisdiction over the highway accident;
(2) sudden death while in apparent good health;
(3) unattended deaths, except that an autopsy may only be performed in accordance withthe provisions of Subsection 26-4-9(3);
(4) under suspicious or unusual circumstances;
(5) resulting from poisoning or overdose of drugs;
(6) resulting from diseases that may constitute a threat to the public health;
(7) resulting from disease, injury, toxic effect, or unusual exertion incurred within thescope of the decedent's employment;
(8) due to sudden infant death syndrome;
(9) resulting while the decedent was in prison, jail, police custody, the state hospital, or ina detention or medical facility operated for the treatment of the mentally ill, emotionallydisturbed, or delinquent persons;
(10) associated with diagnostic or therapeutic procedures; or
(11) described in this section when request is made to assume custody by a county ordistrict attorney or law enforcement agency in connection with a potential homicide investigationor prosecution.

Amended by Chapter 278, 2001 General Session