Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, September 18, 2024
(1)
Jurisdiction. Upon receiving notification of a death which
affects the public interest, a medical examiner shall notify any appropriate
law enforcement agency not otherwise notified and shall take charge of the body
of the decedent. The body shall not be disturbed or removed from the position
in which it was found without authorization from the medical examiner except
for the purpose of preserving the body from loss or destruction or permitting
the passage of traffic on a highway, railroad, or airport, or unless the
failure to remove the body might endanger life, safety, or health.
(2)
Investigation. A county
medical examiner shall conduct a preliminary investigation of the cause and
manner of death and shall utilize the investigative protocol outlined in the
most current edition of the County Medical Examiner's Handbook, available from
the state medical examiner's office. A medical examiner may perform or
authorize performance of any scientific study to assist in identifying the
cause, circumstances, and manner of death. A medical examiner shall cooperate
with other investigating officials and agencies involved and shall share
reports, information, and conclusions with these officials and
agencies.
(3)
Reports
required.
a.
Form
ME-1.
(1) Preparation and filing. A
countymedical examiner shall prepare a written report of the examiner's
findings on the Preliminary Report of Investigation by Medical Examiner, Form
ME-1. A county medical examiner shall file the original Form ME-1 with the
state medical examiner's office within 14 days of the date of death and shall
file a copy of the Form ME-1 with the county attorney within 14 days of the
date of the death and shall retain a copy for the medical examiner's
records.
(2) Content. Form ME-1
shall be completed as fully as possible in light of all available information
and may be signed by either a county medical examiner or a county medical
examiner investigator acting under the supervision of a countymedical examiner
If the cause or manner of death, identity of the decedent, or other information
is unknown or pending at the time of filing, "unknown" or "pending" may be
written in the appropriate area of the form. If additional information becomes
available, this information shall be forwarded to the state medical examiner in
written form at such time as it becomes available to be added as a supplement
to the file.
b.
Jurisdiction declined or terminated. A form designated by the office
of the state medical examiner shall be completed and filed in accordance with
subparagraphs (1) and (2) of paragraph"a" above in cases
reported to the county medical examiner where jurisdiction is terminated or
declined.
(4)
Disposition of body. After an investigation, including an
autopsy if one was performed, the body of the decedent shall be made available
to the funeral home designated by a relative or friend of the decedent for
burial or appropriate disposition. A medical examiner shall not use influence
in favor of a particular funeral director or funeral home. If no one claims a
body, it shall be disposed of as provided in Iowa Code chapter 142.
(5)
Coverage.
a. When an individual is required to report a
death to a medical examiner and the county medical examiner cannot be located
or is not available, the individual shall contact a county medical examiner
from any adjacent Iowa county to perform those duties outlined in this chapter
The responding medical examiner shall have full authority to conduct any
procedures necessary to the investigation of the cause and manner of death. If
an adjacent countymedical examiner is not available, the state medical examiner
shall be contacted and may act in the capacity of a county medical
examiner.
b. The responding county
medical examiner shall be reimbursed by the county for which the service is
provided for all fees and expenses at the rate which is customarily paid by the
county for which the service is provided or at a rate agreed upon by the
medical examiner and the board of supervisors of the county for which the
service is provided.
