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Standard language in death investigation laws
R Hanzlick1, R G Parrish, D Combs
1Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects (DEHHE), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|May 1, 1994
Summary
Death investigation practices vary by state. This study created a unified list of death categories for medical examiner investigation, recommending standardized statutes for improved medico-legal oversight across the U.S.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Legal Medicine
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Significant variability exists in death investigation statutes and practices across the 50 United States.
- Current guidelines from professional organizations and existing state laws lack consistent terminology and scope.
- This inconsistency can lead to disparities in medico-legal death investigations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a standardized list of death categories requiring investigation by medical examiners or coroners.
- To promote uniformity in death investigation practices nationwide.
- To provide recommendations for modifying existing statutes and guidelines.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of the Model Postmortem Examinations Act.
- Analysis of recommendations from the National Association of Medical Examiners and the College of American Pathologists.
- Examination of death investigation statutes and practices in all 50 U.S. states.
Main Results:
- Consolidated terminology from diverse sources to create a unified list of death categories.
- Categorized deaths into three main areas: unexpected/unexplained, external causes (intentional/unintentional), and specialized categories (age, environment, medical, disposition).
- Identified specific types of deaths mandated, commonly performed, or recommended for investigation.
Conclusions:
- Recommended modification of the Model Postmortem Examinations Act to explicitly suggest specific death investigations.
- Advocated for states to align their death investigation statutes with these proposed provisions for greater uniformity.
- Proposed guidelines for reporting and investigating deaths in states with less specific statutes.