Rules and Regulations for Mississippi Medicolegal Death Investigations

MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TITLE 31: PUBLIC SAFETY PART 401: RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR MISSISSIPPI MEDICOLEGAL DEATH INVESTIGATIONS Part 401 Chapter 1 Scope and Purpose The rules and regulations herewith filed replace and supersede all preceding rules and regulations governing medical examiner cases as provided in Sections 41-61-51 through 41-61- 79 and filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State. Rule 1.1 Definitions All definitions set forth in Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-53 shall apply in these Rules and Regulations. When used in these Regulations, the term Medical Examiner case means any human death required by Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-59 to be investigated and certified by the Medical Examiner. Autopsy is defined as the scientific postmortem examination of the body of a deceased person, or any portion thereof, by acceptable scientific methods that may include the least invasive to most invasive methods based on the expertise and judgment of the forensic pathologist handling the case. Positive Identification is defined as the identification of the physical remains of a deceased person by acceptable visual recognition and scientific methods that may include the least invasive to most invasive methods based on the case circumstances and the expertise and judgment of the forensic pathologist handling the case. State Medical Examiner as used herein includes the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the satellite office(s). Unidentified Human Remains are those human remains of a deceased person, regardless of condition, which are visually unrecognizable with or without a presumptive identification, or recognizable but lacking a presumptive identification. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-37-1, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-53, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-59, and MSAGO 2016-101. Part 401 Chapter 2 Delayed Deaths Rule 2.1 Delayed Deaths Where death is related to injury of any type as defined in Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-59, such death is subject to the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner irrespective of the period of survival

following the injury and whether or not there was medical attendance at the time of the injury or during the period of survival. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-59 and Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-61. Part 401 Chapter 3 Unattended Deaths Rule 3.1 Unattended Deaths 1. Deaths due to natural causes are Medical Examiner cases unless the decedent is under the care of a medical or osteopathic physician for the natural disease process to which the decedent has succumbed. As provided in the Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-59, medical attendance must be within thirty-six (36) hours preceding death, or in a pre-diagnosed or bedfast cases within thirty (30) days preceding death. Documentation of medical attendance must be in writing and the medical or osteopathic physician in attendance must be licensed to practice in the State of Mississippi. 2. A physician need not have physically examined the deceased nor been personally and physically present within the aforementioned time limits in order to be considered in attendance. Medical records or other written documentation or prescriptions, telephone consultations or other evidence that the physician has continuously assumed responsibility for the care and treatment of the decedent shall suffice as evidence for medical attendance. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-59. Part 401 Chapter 4 Hospital Deaths Rule 4.1 Hospital Deaths - Autopsies 1. Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-59 is specific as to which human deaths are subject to the investigation of the Medical Examiner. When such deaths occur in a hospital, clinic, doctor’s office or other health care facility, the attending physician is responsible for notification of the Medical Examiner. The attending physician must not request permission for autopsy from the next-of-kin until the Medical Examiner has been notified and has made a decision as to whether or not an autopsy is required in accordance with provisions of Miss. Code Ann. § 41- 61-65. If the Medical Examiner case is not to be subjected to autopsy in accordance with these provisions, the attending physician may then request permission for a private autopsy from the appropriate individual. The Medical Examiner still has responsibility for investigation and certification of such cases and copies of findings and interpretations of any such private autopsy shall be submitted as provided in Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-65. 2. If, during performance of an autopsy on a case which is not under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner, the findings, e.g., evidence of trauma or poisoning, indicate that the death should properly be a medical examiner case, the Pathologist performing the autopsy shall immediately discontinue the procedure and notify the Medical Examiner of the findings. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-59, and Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-65.

Part 401 Chapter 5 Deaths During Medical Procedures Rule 5.1 Deaths During Medical Procedures In order for a death occurring during a therapeutic procedure to be a Medical Examiner case, the death must be medically unexpected. “Medically unexpected” is defined as a death that is unassociated with known natural disease and the decedent’s comorbidities. So that proper investigation can be made in Medical Examiner Cases, the attending physician must immediately notify the Medical Examiner when death is pronounced. In such Medical Examiner cases, all apparatus of any type which was utilized in the therapy of the patient at the time of death, including but not limited to intravenous set-ups and medications, electrical equipment, anesthesia machines and their connections and gas cylinders, must remain in place as they existed at the time of death and may not be disturbed or removed until and unless permission from the Medical Examiner is obtained. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-51, et seq. Part 401 Chapter 6 Deaths Involving Unidentified Human Remains Rule 6.1 Deaths Involving Unidentified Human Remains 1. When a death is reported as provided for in Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-59, and the physical remains of a deceased person, regardless of visually recognizable condition, lack a presumptive identification, are partially or completely skeletonized, or require further analysis to confirm a positive identification, the Medical Examiner case shall be considered “Unidentified Human Remains” and transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for postmortem examination and positive identification. So that proper investigations and positive identifications can be made in Medical Examiner Cases, the County Medical Examiner Investigators and other authorities must immediately notify the State Medical Examiner upon discovery of such a death. 2. Skeletonized human remains with suspected medico-legal significance (i.e., not of historical, archaeological, or non-human origins) must be reported to the State Medical Examiner immediately for further evaluation. The case will be handled as a normal State Medical Examiner case unless the State Medical Examiner deems the skeletal case not forensically significant. If recovery procedures are necessary to recover the remains, recovery efforts must be coordinated through, but not necessarily performed by, the State Medical Examiner’s Office. Immediately following their recovery, skeletal remains must be transported to the State Medical Examiner for postmortem examination, positive identification, and long-term curation until positive identification is achieved. Unidentified human remains must not be subjected to cremation or other destructive final disposition methods (including embalming without first obtaining biological samples for DNA analysis), unmarked internment, or illegal and unethical handling of or transport within or across state lines. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-59 and Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-61. Part 401 Chapter 7 Maintaining Evidentiary Integrity

Rule 7.1 Coroner Seals on Body Bags In all Medical Examiner cases referred to the State Medical Examiner for postmortem examination, the County Medical Examiner Investigator shall place a numbered Coroner Seal on the body bag in such a manner so as to prevent unauthorized access to the decedent and associated personal property until the Seal is broken by the State Medical Examiner or his or her designee. The Coroner Seal must be used on all homicide cases, unidentified human remains cases, incustody deaths, infant deaths, and other deaths as deemed necessary by the State Medical Examiner. Part 401 Chapter 8 Toxicologic Specimens Rule 8.1 Specimens for Toxicologic Examinations In all Medical Examiner cases, the investigating Medical Examiner shall obtain specimens of blood, urine and/or vitreous humor as the condition of the body permits. If the patient has been treated in a hospital, emergency room, or other health care facility immediately prior to death, such specimens should be taken into custody by the investigating Medical Examiner. With the exception of motor vehicle fatalities (see below), specimens obtained as noted above may be submitted immediately for toxicologic examination or may be retained in refrigerated storage for examination at a later time, at the discretion of the investigating Medical Examiner. In all instances of motor vehicle fatalities, including operators, passengers and pedestrians, specimens shall be submitted to the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory for toxicologic examination. If toxicologic examination is deemed necessary, and the condition of the body prohibits recovery of urine, blood or vitreous humor, specimens of brain, lung, kidney, spleen and/or other tissues should be submitted for analysis. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-51, et seq. Part 401 Chapter 9 Embalming Rule 9.1 Embalming of Medical Examiner Cases Since the chemical compounds used in embalming may alter the characteristics of body tissues, make toxicologic procedures difficult and more costly, or render toxic agents undetectable, the Medical Examiner must completely examine the body of the deceased and obtain appropriate specimens for toxicologic examinations prior to any embalming procedure, in all Medical Examiner cases. Any Medical Examiner case subjected to autopsy under the provisions of Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-65 should not under any circumstances be embalmed prior to autopsy unless permission is given for such procedure by the Medical Examiner. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-51, et seq. Part 401 Chapter 10 Training and Continuing Education Program Rule 10.1 Certification

All death investigation training, including continuing education, for Mississippi County Medical Examiners and Deputy County Medical Examiners (CME and Deputy CME) and for County Medical Examiner Investigators and Deputy Medical Examiner Investigators (CMEI and DMEI) shall be certified by the State Medical Examiner’s Office in accordance with Mississippi Statutes and the Rules and Regulations. CME/DME/CMEI/DMEI are required to re-certify every four (4) years. In order to successfully recertify, CME/DME/CMEI/DMEI must meet all of the requirements established by the State Medical Examiner’s Office. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-53, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-57, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-63. Rule 10.2 Basic Training All individuals who are elected or appointed as County Medical Examiners/Investigators or Deputy Medical Examiners/Investigators, before taking the oath of Office, must attend the Basic Death Investigation Training School provided by the State Medical Examiner and the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory. The school will be offered approximately once every two years and will ordinarily be a 40-hour five-day school conducted at a facility designated by the State Medical Examiner’s Office and Mississippi Forensics Laboratory. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-53, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-57, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-63. Rule 10.3 Interim Training If an occasion arises requiring appointment of a Deputy or Chief Medical Examiner/Investigator during that period of time between scheduled Basic Death Investigation courses, individuals thus appointed may be permitted to take Office upon completion of the Interim Medicolegal Death Investigation Course offered by the State Medical Examiner’s office on an as needed basis. Individuals successfully completing the Interim Course must then additionally complete the five day Basic Death Investigation on the next occasion of its offering and must also fulfill the continuing education requirements as certified by the State Medical Examiner’s Office. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-53, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-57, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-63. Rule 10.4 Advanced Training All individuals who have attended the Basic Death Investigation Training School must, at least once every four years, attend the Advanced Death Investigation Training School provided by the State Medical Examiner and Mississippi Forensics Laboratory. This ordinarily will be a one or two day Advanced Refresher Course offered in conjunction with the Basic Death Investigation Training School. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-53, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-57, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-63. Rule 10.5 Substitute Training

No substitutions can be made for the five day Basic Death Investigative Training School. If attendance at the school becomes difficult or impossible due to illness or other emergencies, the candidate should contact the State Medical Examiner immediately regarding alternative arrangements. Other courses, schools, or additional forms of training may, however, be substituted for either the Interim or Advanced course if candidates or county medical examiners/investigators wish to make their own arrangements, or if they have special expertise at the time of their appointment. Such substitution is at the discretion of the State Medical Examiner who must approve the alternate curriculum and instructional source in advance. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-53, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-57, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-63. Rule 10.6 Testing All individuals completing the Basic, Interim and Advanced Training Courses and recertification requirements must successfully complete testing on the subject material administered by the State Medical Examiner’s Office. This includes those individuals who have substituted alternate forms of training for either the Interim or Advanced courses. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-53, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-57, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-63. Rule 10.7 Continuing Education Every CME/DME/CMEI/DMEI is required to complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education as certified by the State Medical Examiner, during each successive twelve (12) month period following election or appointment. Acceptable continuing education activities include, but are not restricted to the following: 1. DISTRICT MEETINGS – Two (2) hours credit will be allowed for attendance at each District Meeting of the Mississippi Coroner/Medical Examiner Association, up to a maximum of four (4) hours credit per twelve (12) month period. Credit hours allowed for attendance at each district meeting and at each semi-annual conference will be designated by the State Medical Examiner’s Office and based on curriculum standards established by the State Medical Examiner’s Office and Mississippi Forensics Laboratory. 2.AUTOPSIES - Two (2) hours will be allowed for attendance at an autopsy, up to a maximum of four (4) hours per each twelve (12) month period. The CME/DME/CMEI/DMEI shall be present during the entire autopsy. Proficiency in toxicology draws shall be demonstrated at an autopsy for which CE units are submitted. The continuing education documentation form should be co-signed by the attending Forensic Pathologist. 3.Department of Public Safety – Continuing education credit will be allowed for attendance at schools, seminars or other activities conducted by various agencies of the Department of Public Safety, insofar as such activities pertain to medicolegal investigations and are approved by the State Medical Examiner. Examples would be seminars conducted by the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory, the State Medical Examiner’s Office, or the Mississippi

Law Enforcement Officer’s Training Academy. The hours allowed will be jointly designated by the State Medical Examiner and the specific agency involved for the specific training program which is being offered. 4.Other – Continuing education credits will be allowed for virtually any training course, seminar or other similar activity insofar as that activity pertains to medicolegal death investigation and is approved by the State Medical Examiner. This includes courses or seminar offered by schools or colleges, law enforcement agencies and others, as well as training courses offered outside the State of Mississippi. Prior approval before credit should be obtained by contacting the State Medical Examiner’s Office. 5.Documentation – Documentation of all continuing education activities will be by means of forms provided for that purpose by the State Medical Examiner’s Office. A separate signed form should be submitted for each particular continuing education program or activity for which a county medical examiner/investigator is seeking credit. If the activity is a group activity, all individuals attending the activity may submit their signatures on one form. Upon successful certification with respect to training and continuing education requirements, every county medical examiner/investigator will receive, during every successive twelve (12) month period within their term of office, a wallet size card issued by the State Medical Examiner attesting to completion of the requirements. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-53, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-57, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-63. Rule 10.8 Removal Proceedings: All County Medical Examiner (“CME”) and County Medical Examiner Investigator (“CMEI”) removal proceedings will be conducted by the State Medical Examiner’s Office pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-57. 1. Hearing Officer: The Hearing Officer shall be the State Medical Examiner or designee. The Hearing Officer shall preside at the hearing, shall be charged with maintaining order at the hearing, and shall rule on all questions of evidence and procedure. 2. Notice of Hearing: The Hearing Officer shall send a notice of hearing to any CME or CMEI who is subject to removal for inefficiency or other good cause pursuant to Miss Code Ann. § 41-61-57. The notice of hearing shall contain a narrative statement of the conduct which will be subject to review at the hearing. The notice shall be sent to the CME or CMEI by certified

mail return receipt requested and provide at least fifteen (15) working days’ notice of the hearing date. 3. Appearance: The CME or CMEI shall appear at the date and time set for the hearing. The CME or CMEI may send a written statement of waiver if he or she intends to waive the hearing. Any CME or CMEI who fails to appear at the hearing will be deemed to have waived his or her right to a hearing. Such waiver will establish an admission of all misconduct as presented in the narrative statement and will result in the issuance of a final order by the Hearing Officer. 4. Legal Representation: The CME or the CMEI may be represented by counsel at the hearing. Counsel at the hearing may confer with his or her client, but may not ask questions or crossexamine witnesses. 5. Rules of Evidence and Discovery: Formal rules of evidence and procedure, including discovery, do not apply in removal hearings. The Hearing Officer shall be the sole determiner regarding admissibility of evidence at the hearing. 6. Attendance of Witnesses: The CME or CMEI must notify the Hearing Officer at least three (3) working days prior to the hearing and any witnesses that intend to testify on their behalf at the hearing. Failure to provide such notification will result in the hearing going forward without the requested witnesses. The CME or CMEI will be responsible for sending such notification to the Hearing Officer and responsible for making sure any witnesses are present at the hearing. Failure of a witness to show for the hearing shall not be cause for a continuance. 7. Order of Proceedings: The Hearing Officer shall present his case first, followed by the CME or CMEI. The Hearing Officer then will have the opportunity present any rebuttal evidence. 8. Burden of Proof: If the Hearing Officer finds substantial evidence proving inefficiency or good cause on the part of the CME or CMEI, the Hearing Officer may order removal of the CME or CMEI from office. Here substantial evidence means more than a scintilla, but less than a preponderance. 9. Recommendation and Final Order: At the conclusion of the hearing, or within a reasonable time thereafter, the State Medical Examiner shall submit his Final Order to the CME or CMEI outlining the proof presented and stating whether a basis for removal of the CME or CMEI prior to the expiration of the term exists. The final order will become effective immediately upon delivery to the CME or CMEI. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-57, Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-63. Part 401 Chapter 11 Death Registration

Rule 11.1 Death Registration All CMEs, DMEs, CMEIs, and DMEIs shall use the Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS) for all deaths and adhere to the following guidelines: 1. The CME/DME/CMEI/DMEI shall certify all reported deaths in accordance with statutory guidelines (see Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-63). 2. Pursuant to the implementation of the EDRS, the State Medical Examiner will certify Cause of Death and Manner of Death for all cases referred to the SMEO for postmortem examination. “Pending” cases will be amended by the SME or his or her designee. 3. The mechanism for this referral in the EDRS will be determined by the Office of Vital Records. Source: Miss. Code Ann. §41-61-51, et seq. Part 401 Chapter 12 Designated Pathologist Program Rule 12.1 Designated Pathologist Program The purpose of the Designated Pathologist Program is to identify, recruit and assist qualified Pathologists to perform consultations and to provide autopsy service in support of the Mississippi Medicolegal Death Investigation System. Pathologists so designated should have adequate training and experience in anatomic pathology with a special interest in forensic pathology. They will assist the State Medical Examiner’s Office in the investigation of “deaths affecting the public interest” as defined by Mississippi Statutes. The Designated Pathologists will conform to all Mississippi Statutes concerning Medicolegal Death Investigations, and will abide by Rules and Regulations promulgated by the State Medical Examiner’s Office. Source: Miss. Code Ann. §41-61-65. Rule 12.2 General Standards 1. All Designated Pathologists will be physicians (M.D. or D.O.) licensed to practice medicine in the State of Mississippi, and will be Board Certified or Board Eligible in Anatomic Pathology and have a special interest in Forensic Pathology. 2. All autopsy reports will be completed in a timely manner (normally within thirty (30) days for routine cases and ninety (90) days for complex cases.) Complete autopsy reports, including all findings and interpretations will be submitted promptly to the State Medical Examiner’s Office, with copies furnished to the authorizing county medical

examiner’s/investigator’s office, District Attorney and Court Clerk, as required by Mississippi Statutes. 3. Pathology residents at University of Mississippi Medical Center will be allowed to perform postmortem examinations under the supervision of a Designated Pathologist in accordance with procedures established by the State Medical Examiner and the UMC Department of Pathology. 4. The Designated Pathologist Review Committee will develop and maintain a Quality Assurance – Enhancement Program concerning performance of autopsies and other activities of Designated Pathologists within the medicolegal death investigation system. If the standard and quality of performance by any pathologist on the designated list does not meet minimal requirements as determined by the Designated Pathologist Review Committee, that pathologist may be removed from the designated list by a majority vote of the Committee, in accordance with procedures to be established by the Committee. Source: Miss. Code Ann. §41-61-51, et seq. Rule 12.3 Designated Pathologist Review Committee 1. The purpose of the Committee is to assist the State Medical Examiner’s Office in the selection and supervision of qualified Designated Pathologists and to develop and maintain a Quality Assurance – Enhancement Program concerning the activities of those Designated Pathologists. The Quality Assurance – Enhancement Program will involve review and selected examples of postmortem examinations, and other documents so as to recommend selection, retention, probation or dismissal of pathologists from the designated list. 2. Membership – The membership of the Committee shall consist of the Mississippi State Medical Examiner, the President of the Mississippi Association of Pathologists, or his designee and the President of the Mississippi State Medical Association or his designee. The State Medical Examiner shall act as Chairman of the Committee. 3. Meetings – The meetings of the committee shall be held at least on an annual basis at the time of the Mississippi State Medical Association’s annual meeting. Additional special meetings may be called by the Chairman of the Committee and such special meetings may be conducted by telephone conference or other means. 4. Administrative Support – Administrative support for the committee, including secretarial support and maintenance of records, will be provided by the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

5. Records – The State Medical Examiner’s Office will maintain records of the Committee including a file for each Designated Pathologist, that file to include a Curriculum Vitae as well as records of recommendations or actions of the Committee. Also include in each file will be representative examples of postmortem examination reports and other pertinent data. These files will be confidential and access to the files will be limited to the Commissioner of Public Safety, the three members of the committee and the individual Pathologist involved. Except as otherwise provided in this section, these files are not public records as defined and addressed by the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983 and access to such may only be had as provided in this Section. 6. Annual Report – A general summary report from the Committee will be prepared on an annual basis and submitted to the Department of Public Safety. A copy of this report may be made available on request to any interested party. Source: Miss. Code Ann. §41-61-51, et seq. Part 401 Chapter 13 Appeals of Death Ruling Rule 13.1 Appeals of Death Ruling Miss. Code Ann. §41-61-65 provide that family members or others who disagree with a Medical Examiner’s determination as to cause and manner of death shall be able to petition and present written argument to the State Medical Examiner for further review. If the petitioner still disagrees, they may petition the Circuit Court which may, in its discretion, hold a formal hearing. All costs of the petitioning and hearing shall be borne by the petitioner. The procedure for petitioning the State Medical Examiner’s Office for purposes of appealing a death ruling shall be as follows: 1. Upon receipt of a petition regarding disagreement with any county medical examiner’s/investigator’s ruling, the State Medical Examiner will immediately contact the county medical examiner/investigator in question and discuss the case. County medical examiners/investigators themselves may contact the State Medical Examiner if they know that such a petition is going to be submitted. County medical examiners/investigators should submit any additional documentation, photographs, or other material as may be deemed necessary, in order to adequately review the case. 2. The State Medical Examiner will conduct an investigation and review of the case which, in his/her discretion, may involve consultation with Forensic Laboratory personnel, Attorneys, Firearm experts, Anthropologists, and other individuals or agencies who might be able to provide helpful analysis and information.

3. Upon completion of his/her investigation and review, the State Medical Examiner will submit a detailed conclusion in writing with copies both to the county medical examiner/investigator in whose jurisdiction the death occurred and to the petitioner. If a change in the Death Certificate is deemed warranted by the State Medical Examiner, on the basis of his investigation, such change will not be submitted to the State Board of Health for a period of no less than thirty (30) days, during which all parties involved will have an opportunity to submit additional information or points for discussion. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-51, et seq. Part 401 Chapter 14 Deaths in Other Counties Rule 14.1 Deaths from Injuries in Other Counties. An individual who sustains fatal injuries may, prior to death, be transported to a hospital in a county other than that in which injuries occurred. Such deaths must be reported to the county medical examiner/investigator of the county in which the death occurs as required by Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-61. However, the death may subsequently be investigated and certified by the county medical examiner/investigator of the county in which the fatal injuries occurred. In the event of a death of this type, the county medical examiner/investigator of the county in which the death occurred will immediately contact the county medical examiner/investigator of the county in which the fatal injuries occurred. Said county medical examiners/investigators of the respective counties may then, at their discretion, make arrangements to either transfer or not transfer jurisdiction for further investigation and certification of the death, depending upon the specific circumstances and requirements of each individual case. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-51, et seq. Part 401 Chapter 15 Organization of the State Medical Examiner’s Office Rule 15.1 Office Organization. The State Medical Examiner’s Office consists of the Chief Medical Examiner and Deputy Chief Medical Examiners (i.e., physicians who are board-certified in Forensic Pathology) and other staff who assist the Chief Medical Examiner in carrying out the responsibilities of the Office. Members of the public may obtain information or make submissions or requests concerning activities of the State Medical Examiner’s Office by contacting the State Medical Examiner’s Office, the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory, or the Department of Public Safety Commissioner. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 41-61-51, et seq.

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