Title 26 Utah Health Code Chapter 4 Utah Medical Examiner Act Section 7 Custody by medical examiner.
26-4-7.Custody by medical examiner.
Upon notification under Section 26-4-8 or investigation by the medical examiner's office,
the medical examiner shall assume custody of a deceased body if it appears that death was:
(1) by violence, gunshot, suicide, or accident unless the accident is a highway accident. If
the death was from a highway accident, custody shall only be assumed if an autopsy is required
or permitted under the provisions of Section 26-4-13 or if requested by the law enforcement
agency with jurisdiction over the highway accident;
(2) sudden death while in apparent good health;
(3) unattended deaths, except that an autopsy may only be performed in accordance with
the provisions of Subsection 26-4-9(3);
(4) under suspicious or unusual circumstances;
(5) resulting from poisoning or overdose of drugs;
(6) resulting from diseases that may constitute a threat to the public health;
(7) resulting from disease, injury, toxic effect, or unusual exertion incurred within the
scope of the decedent's employment;
(8) due to sudden infant death syndrome;
(9) resulting while the decedent was in prison, jail, police custody, the state hospital, or in
a detention or medical facility operated for the treatment of the mentally ill, emotionally
disturbed, or delinquent persons;
(10) associated with diagnostic or therapeutic procedures; or
(11) described in this section when request is made to assume custody by a county or
district attorney or law enforcement agency in connection with a potential homicide investigation
or prosecution.
Amended by Chapter 278, 2001 General Session
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