Death investigations on military installations

The authority to conduct a death investigation, including an autopsy examination, on a military installation depends upon the type of jurisdiction on the installation and the decedent's military connection. Exclusive federal jurisdiction gives the military authority to investigate deaths of active duty military members and, under specific conditions, of civilians with a military connection. Concurrent or shared jurisdiction gives the local civilian medical examiner the right of first refusal as to military members. Thus, the civilian medical examiner may waive jurisdiction to the military. This is not the case when a civilian dies under the same circumstances.