Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, September 18, 2024
(1)
Appointment. A county
medical examiner may appoint one or more county medical examiner investigators
upon approval by the board of supervisors and the state medical
examiner.
(2)
Qualifications.
a. Prior to
appointment, a CME-I should possess a minimum of two years of experience as a
licensed or certified nurse or medical care provider. A certified peace officer
may be appointed to the position of CME-I if a nurse or medical care provider
is not available.
b. A CME-I shall
satisfy the following criteria:
(1) Prior to
or within two years of appointment, attend the St. Louis University School of
Medicine Basic Medicolegal Death Investigation Course or its state medical
examiner-approved equivalent; and
(2) Prior to or within five years of
appointment, obtain certification at the registry-level as a death investigator
by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators.
c. A CME-I is not required to meet the
requirements of paragraph"a " or"b " if the
individual has functioned in the capacity of a CME-I for a period of five years
as of January 1, 2002.
d. If a CME
is unable to appoint a CME-I who possesses the qualifications required by
paragraph"a," "b," or"c," the CME may request
a waiver. Waiver requests shall be submitted in writing to the state medical
examiner and shall include the efforts undertaken by the CME to locate a CME-I
who meets the above qualifications; the qualifications of the individual
willing to serve in the capacity of CME-I; and the period of time for which the
waiver is requested, not to exceed two years. The state medical examiner has
sole discretion to waive the requirements of this rule and may withdraw or
modify a waiver request upon a finding that the CME-I has failed to adequately
perform the duties of the position or for other good cause.
e. If a CME-I is unable to meet the
eligibility requirements for obtaining registry certification due to the small
number of cases requiring investigation in the county of appointment, then a
waiver shall be obtained from the state medical examiner in order for the
investigator to continue his or her duties. The county medical examiner shall
submit a request for a waiver in writing with documentation of the number of
deaths occurring in the county of appointment which require death
investigation. The waiver must be renewed every five years if the required
number of investigations has still not been achieved.
(3)
Duties. A CME-I shall
assist in death investigations. A CME-I acting under the supervision of a
county medical examiner may sign the Form ME-1. A CME-I shall not sign a
certificate of death or a Form ME-5.
(4)
Supervision. A CME-I
shall serve under the supervision of a county medical examiner. A CME-I
provides services under the direction of a county medical examiner or state
medical examiner's office. A CME-I shall at all times perform services in a
manner which is consistent with the protocol outlined in the most current
edition of the County Medical Examiner's Handbook and any policies or protocols
of the supervising county medical examiner.
(5)
Fees. Fees for the
services provided by a CME-I shall be paid by the county of appointment or by
the county of the decedent's residence. A CME-I shall also receive from the
county of appointment or the county of the decedent's residence reimbursement
for actual expenses. The fee and expenses shall be submitted by the CME-I to
the county of appointment, which may immediately pay the invoice or forward the
invoice to the county of the decedent's residence for payment to the CME-I. If
the CME-I does not receive payment from the county of the decedent's residence
within 60 days of receiving the invoice, the county of appointment shall pay
the invoice.
