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.
ANNOTATIONSCross 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.