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Section 46-4-122 – [Effective Until 10/1/2021] Human deaths requiring inquiry by coroner

May 13, 2021 | Criminal Procedure, Montana

The coroner shall inquire into and determine the cause and manner of death and all circumstances surrounding a human death:

(1) that was caused or is suspected to have been caused:

(a) in any degree by an injury, either recent or remote in origin; or
(b) by the deceased or any other person that was the result of an act or omission, including but not limited to:

(i) a criminal or suspected criminal act;
(ii) a medically suspicious death, unusual death, or death of unknown circumstances, including any fetal death; or
(iii) an accidental death; or
(c) by an agent, disease, or medical condition that poses a threat to public health;
(2) whenever the death occurred:

(a) while the deceased was incarcerated in a prison or confined to a correctional or detention facility owned and operated by the state or a political subdivision of the state;
(b) while the deceased was being pursued, apprehended, or taken into custody by, or while in the custody of, any law enforcement agency or a peace officer;
(c) during or as a result of the deceased’s employment;
(d) less than 24 hours after the deceased was admitted to a medical facility or if the deceased was dead upon arrival at a medical facility; or
(e) in a manner that was unattended or unwitnessed and the deceased was not attended by a physician at any time in the 30-day period prior to death;
(3) if the dead human body is to be cremated or shipped into the state and lacks proper medical certification or burial or transmit permits; or
(4) that occurred under suspicious circumstances.

§ 46-4-122, MCA

Amended by Laws 2017, Ch. 194,Sec. 6, eff. 10/1/2017.
En. Sec. 4, Ch. 660, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 287, L. 1993.
This section is set out more than once. See also § 46-4-122, effective 10/1/2021.