HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3809

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;

(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.

5-310.

(a)  If the cause of death in a medical examiner's case is
established beyond a reasonable doubt, the medical examiner who
investigates the case shall file in the medical examiner's office
a report on the cause of death within 30 days after notification
of the case.

(b)  (1) If the medical examiner who investigates a medical
examiner's case considers an autopsy necessary, the Chief Medical
Examiner, the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, an assistant medical
examiner, or a pathologist authorized by the Chief Medical
Examiner shall perform the autopsy.

(2) If the family of the deceased objects to an
autopsy on religious grounds, the autopsy may not be performed
unless authorized by the Chief Medical Examiner or by the Chief
Medical Examiner's designee.

(c)  (1) [If the family of the deceased does not object, a]
A medical examiner shall conduct an autopsy of any fire fighter
AND ANY SWORN PERSONNEL OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE [whose
death in the line of duty appears to be fire related, or to have
been caused by the inhalation of toxic gases or toxic fire
atmospheres.] WHO DIES IN THE LINE OF DUTY OR AS A RESULT OF
INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.