2005 Arizona Revised Statutes - Revised Statutes §11-594  Powers and duties of county medical examiner

A. The county medical examiner or a licensed physician employed to perform such functions shall:

1. Be responsible for medical examination or autopsy of a human body when death occurred under any of the circumstances set forth in section 11-593, subsection A.

2. Take charge of the dead body of which the medical examiner is notified and, after making inquiries regarding the cause and manner of death, examine the body.

3. Certify to the cause and manner of death following a medical examination or an autopsy, or both.

4. Make inquiries regarding the cause and manner of death, reduce the findings to writing and promptly make a full report on forms prescribed for that purpose.

5. Execute a death certificate provided by the state registrar of vital statistics indicating the cause as well as the manner of death for those bodies on which a medical examination or autopsy is performed.

6. Notify the county attorney when death is found to be from other than natural causes.

7. Notify the appropriate city, town, county or state law enforcement agency if further investigation by such agency appears necessary.

8. Carry out the duties specified under section 28-668.

9. Carry out the duties specified under title 36, chapter 7, article 3.

B. The county medical examiner may:

1. Appoint qualified professional, technical and clerical personnel as necessary for the administration of the office, subject to approval of the board of supervisors.

2. Authorize qualified practicing physicians in local areas to perform medical examinations required of the county medical examiner. Authorization and the amount to be paid by the county for physician services are subject to approval of the board of supervisors.

C. The county medical examiner or a licensed physician employed to perform these functions may:

1. Authorize the taking of anatomical gifts as they prove to be usable for transplants or other treatment or therapy if all of the requirements of title 36, chapter 7, article 3 are met. The medical examiner shall give this authorization within a time period that permits a medically viable donation.

2. Authorize licensed or authorized physicians, surgeons or trained technicians who remove parts of bodies to perform any part of a necessary medical examination provided they follow a protocol established by the medical examiner or a person authorized to act as the medical examiner.

3. Limit the removal of organs or tissues for transplants or other therapy or treatment if, based on a physical examination of the body within a time that permits a medically viable donation, their removal would interfere with a medical examination, autopsy or certification of death. If the medical examiner limits the removal of organs or tissue, the medical examiner shall provide a written explanation of this decision to the organ procurement agency within three working days of the physical examination.

D. If a dispute arises over the findings of the medical examiner's report, the medical examiner shall, upon an order of the superior court, make available all evidence and documentation to a court-designated licensed forensic pathologist for examination, and the results of the examination shall be reported to the superior court in the county issuing the order.

E. For providing medical examinations and reports pursuant to subsection C of this section, the medical examiner may charge a fee established by the board of supervisors pursuant to section 11-251.08.