When any person comes to a sudden, violent or untimely death or is found dead and the cause of death is unknown, anyone who becomes aware of the death shall report it immediately to law enforcement authorities or the office of the state or district medical investigator. The public official so notified, shall in turn notify either, or both, the appropriate law enforcement authorities or the office of the state or district medical investigator. The state or district medical investigator, or a deputy medical investigator under his direction, shall, without delay, view and take legal custody of the body.
History: 1953 Comp., § 15-43-44, enacted by Laws 1961, ch. 91, § 2; 1971, ch. 112, § 4; 1973, ch. 286, § 4; 1975, ch. 7, § 1.
Cross references. — For failure to report death, see 24-11-10 NMSA 1978.
Autopsy reports are testimonial. — Autopsy reports regarding individuals who suffered a violent death are testimonial for purposes of confrontation clause analysis, because medical examiners are required by 24-11-8 NMSA 1978 to report their findings to the district attorney. State v. Navarette, 2013-NMSC-003, 294 P.3d 435.
Copyright ©2024 LegalFix. All rights reserved. LegalFix is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and does not provide legal advice, services, or representation. The information on this website is an overview of the legal insurance products you can purchase—or that may be provided by your employer as an employee benefit or by your credit union or other membership group as a membership benefit.
LegalFix provides its members with access to legal services through a network of provider law firms. LegalFix, its corporate entity, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors do not provide legal advice, services, or representation—directly or indirectly.
The articles and information on the site are not legal advice and should not be relied upon—they are for information purposes only. You should become a LegalFix member to get legal services from one of our provider law firms.
You should not disclose confidential or potentially incriminating information to LegalFix—you should only communicate such information to your provider law firm.
The benefits and legal services described in the LegalFix legal plans are not always available in all states or with all plans. See the legal plan Benefit Overview and the more comprehensive legal plan contract during checkout for coverage details in your state.
Use of this website, the purchase of legal insurance products, and access to the LegalFix network of provider law firms are subject to the LegalFix Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
