§ 23-4-8. Procedure for investigation of deaths.
(a) When the office of state medical examiners has notice that there has been found or is lying within this state the body of a person who is supposed to have come to his or her death by violence, or in any manner as stated in § 23-4-7, an agent of the office of state medical examiners shall immediately proceed to the place where the body lies and take charge of it, view it, and make personal inquiry into the cause and manner of death. If the body is found at the residence of the deceased, the agent of the office of state medical examiners shall not remove the body from the residence unless necessary for further postmortem examination or autopsy.
(b) A health care facility shall disclose any and all information in its possession requested by the state medical examiner or his or her agent in connection with the investigation of the death of a current or former patient to the extent necessary to assist the medical examiner in determining the cause of death.
History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 169, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 351, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 23-4 - Office of State Medical Examiners
Section 23-4-1. - Definitions.
Section 23-4-2. - Establishment of office.
Section 23-4-4. - Jurisdiction.
Section 23-4-4.1. - Procedure for performance of autopsies against a family’s religious beliefs.
Section 23-4-5. - Chief medical examiner — Assistants and other staff.
Section 23-4-6. - State medical examiners commission.
Section 23-4-7. - Reporting of certain deaths required — Violations — Penalties.
Section 23-4-8. - Procedure for investigation of deaths.
Section 23-4-9. - Deaths in public places.
Section 23-4-10. - Disposition of deceased bodies.
Section 23-4-11. - Effects and property of deceased.
Section 23-4-12. - Compensation for recovery of body from water.
Section 23-4-13. - Establishment of fees.
Section 23-4-14. - Preservation of reports — Tabular reports.