This bill amends West Virginia Code §61-12-10 regarding postmortem examinations, specifically focusing on the procedures and timelines for conducting autopsies and reporting findings. It stipulates that if an autopsy is requested by a prosecuting attorney or a judge, it must be conducted within 72 hours, provided the body is in the possession of the chief medical examiner at the time of the request. Additionally, the bill mandates that a copy of the autopsy report, along with any death investigation reports from the county medical examiner, must be furnished to the prosecuting attorney within 24 hours of the autopsy's completion.

The bill also clarifies the responsibilities of the chief medical examiner in maintaining records of all deaths investigated and outlines the conditions under which these records can be accessed by law enforcement, courts, and other state agencies. It includes provisions for the release of autopsy and toxicology reports to designated hospital representatives and attending physicians for quality review and medical record completion. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the autopsy process in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 61-12-10