2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THIRTY-FOUR - Code of Criminal Procedure (§§ 1 — 4012) › PART XIV - Forensic Sciences (§§ 3001 — 4012) › Chapter 201 - Institute of Forensic Sciences (§§ 3001 — 3036) › § 3011 - Investigation of the cause of death—Circumstances

(a) It shall be the duty of the Institute of Forensic Sciences to investigate in order to determine the cause and manner of death of any person whose demise occurs under any of the following circumstances:
(1) As a result of criminal acts or that are suspected to be the result of the commission of a crime.
(2) As a result of any accident or act of violence or any subsequent act, regardless of its nature or time interval between said acts and the death, if there is reason to suspect that there is a relationship between said accident or the act of violence and the death.
(3) As a result of poisoning or suspicion of such.
(4) When the death occurs while in custody of the Police or officers of law and order, while in prison, or as a result of sickness or injury occurring while in prison, or suspicion thereof.
(5) As a result or in relation with the occupation of the deceased.
(6) When it is due to acute intoxication with alcohol, narcotics, or any other type of drug or controlled substances or suspicion of such.
(7) When it is due to suicide or suspicion of such.
(8) When in the process of an autopsy which was not originally considered as medico-legal, the pathologist discovers any clue, or any suspicion arises to indicate that such death could have occurred due to the commission of a crime. In such case, said pathologist shall suspend the autopsy and notify the Forensic Scientist of his suspicion immediately.
(9) When death occurs suddenly or unexpectedly while the person was enjoying relative or apparent good health.
(10) When death occurs during or after an abortion or delivery, or if it is suspected that it was a provoked abortion or delivery in violation of the provisions of §§ 4739—4741 of Title 33.
(11) When death occurs in a convalescent home, a home for the elderly, an “establishment” as defined in subsections (2), (3), (4), (5) and (8) of § 353 of Title 8, or a similar institution, whether it be State, municipal, or private. In such situation, it shall not be necessary to take the corpse to the Institute, unless the case pathologist so requires.
(12) When death occurs to a person who had a contagious disease that could constitute a threat to public health.
(13) When death occurs during hospitalization in a psychiatric institution, whether it be State, municipal, or private, except in cases of death due to childbirth, duly certified by a physician.
(14) If it was caused by a physical force such as electricity, heat, cold, radiation, or the disposal of chemical products.
(15) Any death due to malnutrition, abandonment, or exposure to the elements, as a result of negligence.
(b) It shall also be the duty of the Institute to investigate in order to determine the cause and manner of the death of a person:
(1) When the corpse is to be cremated, dissected, or disposed of in such a way that it will not be subsequently available for examination, regardless of how the death occurred. In such situation, it shall not be necessary to take the corpse to the Institute, unless the case pathologist so requires.
(2) When the prosecutor or coroner who investigates the death of any person requests the Puerto Rico Institute of Forensic Sciences to do so.
History —July 24, 1985, No. 13, p. 689, § 11; Aug. 12, 1995, No. 192, § 1; Dec. 29, 2009, No. 200, § 8.