HARRY HUGHES, Governor

239

FULLY THE ESSENTIAL FACTS CONCERNING THE MEDICAL CAUSE OF
DEATH AND, BEFORE LEAVING THE PREMISES, REDUCE THESE FACTS
AND THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF WITNESSES TO WRITING, WHICH
SHALL BE FILED IN THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE.

(D)  EVIDENCE.

THE MEDICAL EXAMINER SHALL TAKE POSSESSION OF AND
DELIVER TO THE STATE'S ATTORNEY OR THE STATE'S ATTORNEY'S
DESIGNEE ANY OBJECT OR ARTICLE THAT, IN THE OPINION OF THE
MEDICAL EXAMINER, MAY BE USEFUL IN ESTABLISHING THE CAUSE OF
DEATH.

(E)  PERSONAL PROPERTY.

(1)  IF THE NEXT OF KIN OF THE DECEASED IS NOT
PRESENT AT THE INVESTIGATION, THE POLICE OFFICER OR SHERIFF
AT THE INVESTIGATION OR, IF A POLICE OFFICER OR SHERIFF IS
NOT PRESENT, THE MEDICAL EXAMINER SHALL:

(I)  TAKE POSSESSION OF ALL PROPERTY OF
VALUE FOUND ON THE BODY;

(II)  IN THE REPORT OF THE DEATH, MAKE AN
EXACT INVENTORY OF THE PROPERTY; AND

(III)  DELIVER THE PROPERTY TO THE
APPROPRIATE SHERIFF OR POLICE DEPARTMENT.

(2)  THE SHERIFF OR POLICE DEPARTMENT SHALL
SURRENDER THE PROPERTY TO THE PERSON WHO IS ENTITLED TO ITS
POSSESSION OR CUSTODY.

REVISOR'S NOTE: Subsections (a)(1) and (b) through (e)
of this section are new language derived without
substantive change from former Article 22, § 6.

Subsection (a)(2) of this section is new language
derived without substantive change from the first
clause of former Article 43, § 14(a)(5) and from
former Article 43, § 21(d), as that subsection
related to investigations of fetal deaths.

Throughout this section, former references to
"Baltimore City" are deleted as unnecessary in
light of the use of the defined term "county".

In subsection (a)(2)(ii) of this section, the
phrase "is not attended by a physician" is
substituted for "without medical attendance" to
clarify that attendance by a midwife does not
constitute "medical attendance". This
substitution is made in light of former Article
43, § 89, which, inter alia, required a midwife
to notify a medical examiner of a stillbirth.