Opinion ID: 2068788
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: OCME has broad power to investigate certain deaths.

Text: OCME is responsible for investigating the essential facts concerning the medical causes of death in a variety of situations, including when a person dies as a result of violence, by suicide, when unattended by a physician, or in any suspicious or unusual manner. . . . [7] In the course of such an investigation, the Chief Medical Examiner, the Assistant Medical Examiners, and the Deputy Medical Examiners may administer oaths and affirmations and take affidavits and make examinations as to any matter within the jurisdiction of their offices. They also have the power to issue subpoenas. [8] If OCME determines the cause of death within a reasonable medical certainty, it must prepare and file a written report within thirty days after an investigation of such death. [9] The authority of OCME to investigate is broad. As the Superior Court recognized, OCME seems to have carte blanche to label and investigate almost any death. . . . [10] Here, OCME's motion to compel states the reason for the investigation of Heverin's death as a death unattended by a physician. During the hearing, however, OCME argued that Heverin's death could also be viewed as suspicious or unusual. DBHS does not contest these points. Accordingly, it is undisputed that OCME has the authority to investigate Heverin's death.