4646

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 839

IS RECEIVED AT HIS OFFICE AND SHALL REDUCE ANY PERTINENT
FACTS AS THE MEDICAL EXAMINER DEEMS NECESSARY TO WRITING AND
FILE THE FACTS IN HIS OFFICE. A POLICE OFFICER OR SHERIFF
PRESENT AT THE SCENE OF DEATH SHALL TAKE THE NAMES AND
ADDRESSES OF AS MANY WITNESSES TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE
DEATH AS IT MAY BE PRACTICABLE TO OBTAIN AND, IN THE ABSENCE
OF THE NEXT OF KIN OF THE DECEASED PERSON, TAKE POSSESSION
OF ALL PROPERTY OF VALUE FOUND ON THE DECEASED PERSON, MAKE
AN EXACT INVENTORY THEREOF ON HIS REPORT, AND DELIVER THE
PROPERTY TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN BALTIMORE CITY OR
SHERIFF OF THE COUNTY, AS THE CASE MAY BE, WHICH SHALL
SURRENDER THE PROPERTY TO THE PERSON ENTITLED TO ITS CUSTODY
OR POSSESSION.

(B) IN ANY CRIMINAL PROSECUTION RELATED TO THE DEATH
OF THE VICTIM, A FUNERAL DIRECTOR OR AN AGENT, SERVANT, OR
EMPLOYEE OF A FUNERAL DIRECTOR WHO TRANSPORTS A DEAD BODY TO
THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN AFFIDAVIT
CONCERNING THE CHAIN OF CUSTODY AND INITIAL CONDITION OF THE
DEAD BODY IN LIEU OF GIVING PERSONAL LIVE TESTIMONY TO THAT
EFFECT IN THE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. THE AFFIDAVIT IS PRIMA
FACIE EVIDENCE OF THE FACTS STATED IN THE AFFIDAVIT.
HOWEVER, THE PERSONAL LIVE TESTIMONY OF THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR
OR THE AGENT, SERVANT, OR EMPLOYEE OF THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR
MAY BE REQUIRED, BUT ONLY ON 15 DAYS' PRIOR WRITTEN NOTICE
BY A PARTY TO THE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

Article - Health - General

5-309.

(c) Immediately on notification that a medical
examiner's case has occurred, the medical examiner OR AN
INVESTIGATOR OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER shall go to and take
charge of the body. The medical examiner OR THE
INVESTIGATOR shall investigate 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) The medical examiner OR THE INVESTIGATOR 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 OR THE INVESTIGATOR,
may be useful in establishing the cause of death.

(e) (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 OR THE INVESTIGATOR shall:

(I) take possession of all property of
value found on the body;