46-4-122. Human deaths requiring inquiry by coroner. The coroner shall inquire into and determine the cause and manner of death and all circumstances surrounding a human death:
     (1) that was caused or is suspected to have been caused:
     (a) in any degree by an injury, either recent or remote in origin; or
     (b) by the deceased or any other person that was the result of an act or omission, including but not limited to:
     (i) a criminal or suspected criminal act;
     (ii) a medically suspicious death, unusual death, or death of unknown circumstances, including any fetal death; or
     (iii) an accidental death; or
     (c) by an agent, disease, or medical condition that poses a threat to public health;
     (2) whenever the death occurred:
     (a) while the deceased was incarcerated in a prison or jail or confined to a correctional or detention facility owned and operated by the state or a political subdivision of the state;
     (b) while the deceased was in the custody of, or was being taken into the custody of, a law enforcement agency or a peace officer;
     (c) during or as a result of the deceased's employment;
     (d) less than 24 hours after the deceased was admitted to a medical facility or if the deceased was dead upon arrival at a medical facility; or
     (e) in a manner that was unattended or unwitnessed and the deceased was not attended by a physician at any time in the 30-day period prior to death;
     (3) if the dead human body is to be cremated or shipped into the state and lacks proper medical certification or burial or transmit permits; or
     (4) that occurred under suspicious circumstances.

     History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 660, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 287, L. 1993.