Section 28-5003. POSSESSION OF EVIDENCE AND PROPERTY

 

5003.1At the scene of any death subject to investigation under subsection 5001.4, the medical examiner, a medicolegal investigator, or a law enforcement officer shall take possession of any objects or articles which, in his or her opinion, may be useful in establishing the cause and manner of death or the identity of the decedent and shall hold them as evidence.

 

5003.2Information and evidence surrounding the circumstances of death shall be acquired as follows:

 

(a)The CME is authorized to issue a subpoena for confidential medical records and relevant information from physicians, hospitals, nursing homes, residential care facilities and other health care providers as in his/her opinion is necessary for investigating deaths under D.C. Official Code § 5-1407 (2001).

 

(b)The Chief Medical Examiner shall obtain from the Homicide section of the Metropolitan Police Department circumstantial information, medical histories, witnesses’ statements, and other pertinent facts regarding deaths investigated by him/her.

 

(c)Hospital records shall be made available to members of the Homicide Section, who, for purposes of this subsection, are designated as agents of the Chief Medical Examiner

 

(d)The Homicide Section may, when circumstances warrant, request that the Chief Medical Examiner be present at the scene of death to assist in the investigation.

 

source

As amended by Final Rulemaking published at 52 DCR 8922 (October 7, 2005), and as amended by NOTICE OF EMERGENCY AND PROPOSED RULEMAKING at 54 DCR 8843 (September 7, 2007) [EXPIRED].