Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-36-01-.04

Current through December 26, 2024

Section 1200-36-01-.04 - INVESTIGATION OF DEATHS

(1) The county medical investigator or the county medical examiner shall arrive as soon as practicable upon receiving a report pursuant to 1200-36-01-.03(1).

(2) After arrival at the scene, the county medical investigator or the county medical examiner shall document in writing:

(a) Any usage of medications, illicit drugs and drug paraphernalia by the decedent;

(b) Any acute attempts of resuscitation performed on the decedent;

(c) Interviews with witnesses at the scene;

(d) Medical and mental health history of decedent; and

(e) An inventory of any medications found at the scene and document the name of the person to whom the medication was prescribed, the prescription number, pharmacy, the name of the prescribing medical practitioner, dosage, date filled, amount of medication issued, amount of medication remaining, and any instructions for the administration of the medication.

(3) Prior to ordering an autopsy, county medical examiners and/or investigators shall consult with the regional forensic center receiving the body. Interpretation of postmortem toxicology testing requires correlation with history, scene and autopsy findings; thus whenever possible, a forensic autopsy shall be ordered.

(4) If an autopsy is ordered, the county medical examiner shall send the following items with the body using chain of custody pursuant to the policy of the regional forensic center that will receive the body:

(a) All items listed in paragraph (2);

(b) Scene photos;

(c) Report of investigation;

(d) Order for autopsy;

(e) All admission blood and urine samples taken from the decedent and held at the hospital laboratory; and

(f) If the decedent was transferred to a hospital, a copy of the decedent's hospital medical records.

(5) The county medical investigator will document the chain of custody for all items sent with the body.

(6) The county medical examiner or investigator shall remain with the body at any non-hospital scenes until transportation arrives and removes the body.

(7) The death certificate will be signed by the forensic pathologist who performs the forensic examination.

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-36-01-.04

Original rule filed June 17, 2013; effective November 28, 2013.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 38-7-102, 68-3-502(d) and Chapter 916 of the Public Acts of 2012.