Current through Register No. 12, March 21, 2024
(a) The responding
ME shall complete the appropriate portions of Form ME-1 "DME/ADME Investigation
Report" for each death investigated. When the OCME declines jurisdiction after
an initial investigation, the responding ME shall complete only those sections
specifically designated on page one of the form. Every page upon which
information has been recorded shall be signed and dated by the responding
ME.
(b) Except as provided in (c)
below, the responding ME shall record, to the extent reasonably ascertainable
and to the extent the ME deems it necessary to perform the ME's lawful duties,
the following regarding each death on or as an attachment to Form ME-1,
regardless of whether an autopsy will be performed:
(1) The responding ME's name and date and
time the ME was notified;
(2) The
county in which the death was discovered;
(3) The following identification information
regarding the deceased:
a. Name;
b. Social security number;
c. Date of birth;
d. Sex;
e. Age at death;
f. Race; and
g. Home address;
(4) The date, time and by whom:
a. The deceased was last observed while
alive;
b. The death was
witnessed;
c. The decedent was
found dead or unresponsive; and
d.
The death was pronounced;
(5) The place of death, including the
complete address;
(6) A brief
summary of the case;
(7) The date
and time of the incident, if applicable;
(8) Whether the death appears to be
work-related;
(9) The incident
location, including the complete address, if applicable;
(10) Whether the responding ME was at the
scene;
(11) The arrival date and
time of the responding ME;
(12) The
name, agency, and telephone number of each lead investigator at the
scene;
(13) The name of the CME,
DCME, or designee the responding ME consulted with, and the date and time of
such consultation;
(14) The name of
the county attorney, the date and time at which the county attorney was
consulted, and whether an autopsy was authorized by the county attorney, if
applicable;
(15) The name, address,
telephone number, and relationship of next of kin;
(16) Whether next of kin were notified of the
death and notified of whether an autopsy was ordered, if applicable;
(17) Whether the responding ME contacted the
next of kin;
(18) The name,
address, telephone number, and relationship of alternate contact;
(19) The name and contact information of the
funeral home to which the remains are to be released;
(20) In an external examination case only,
the cause and manner of death and any contributory cause(s) of death;
(21) The marital status of the
deceased;
(22) With whom the
deceased lived;
(23) The deceased's
family relationships;
(24) The
employment status and occupation of the deceased;
(25) Whether the deceased used alcohol,
tobacco, or engaged in recreational drug use;
(26) Pertinent medical history information of
the deceased and the deceased's family;
(27) Whether a list of medications taken by
the deceased has been obtained and attached;
(28) Whether the deceased's medical records
have been obtained and attached;
(29) The name and contact information of the
deceased's attending physician, and whether the physician was contacted by the
responding ME;
(30) Whether next of
kin were referred for organ donation, and if not, the reason no referral was
made;
(31) A description of the
relevant environment and climatic conditions; and
(32) A description of the circumstances
surrounding discovery of the remains.
(c) The responding ME shall determine and
attach or record, to the extent ascertainable, the following:
(1) The location at which the responding ME
conducted the external examination of the remains;
(2) The date and time at which the external
examination commenced;
(3) Who
witnessed the external examination being conducted;
(4) Whether photographs were taken or other
imaging processes were used at the scene and upon examination;
(5) Whether a diagram of the scene was
created;
(6) In the case of a
confirmed identification of the deceased, the means of
identification;
(7) In the case of
a tentative or unconfirmed identification:
a.
The name, address and telephone number of the deceased's dentist;
b. A history of x-rays or surgical
procedures;
c. A description of all
scars, potentially identifying marks, or tattoos on the deceased;
d. An indication of whether fingerprints are
on file, and if so, where; and
e. A
description of any identifying marks.
(8) The responding ME's impression of the
relative temperature of the deceased's body, including whether it was
refrigerated or otherwise cooled prior to examination;
(9) Whether rigor mortis is present and if
so, the relative degree in the jaw, neck, arms, and legs;
(10) Whether livor mortis is present and, if
so, a description:
(11) A
description of the eyes;
(12) A
description of all observed changes due to decomposition;
(13) A description of all medical therapies
administered;
(14) Whether
resuscitation was attempted;
(15) A
description of all scars, marks, or tattoos on the body of the
deceased;
(16) A description of
evidence of any injury;
(17) A
description of any antemortem toxicology or other samples that were available
or obtained:
(18) A description of
any postmortem toxicology or other samples that were obtained;
(19) Whether any items have been seized and
vouchered, and if so, the disposition of those items;
(20) In cases where no autopsy will be
performed, a description of the general physical characteristics of the
deceased;
(21) A description of the
head hair and facial hair;
(22) A
description of the hair on the body;
(23) A description of the facial
area;
(24) A general description of
the neck structures;
(25) A
description of the dentition;
(26)
A description of the chest and breasts, including the presence or absence of
lumps or deformities;
(27) A
description of the back and buttocks;
(28) Identification of the genitalia as
either male or female;
(29) A
description of the abdomen;
(30) A
description of the extremities, including whether the limbs are equal and
symmetrical; and the condition of the fingernails; and
(31) Any other observations or information
gathered by the responding ME that might have significance with respect to
determining identity, the cause or manner of death, or that might otherwise
assist in a criminal investigation.
(d) In cases where jurisdiction has been
accepted and an autopsy will be performed, the responding ME shall provide the
CME, DCME, or designee, with the completed Investigation Report prior to the
autopsy being conducted.