Section 45-49-171.63 - Investigation of deathsIt shall be the duty of the county medical examiner to investigate any death in Mobile County when the death may fall within one or more of the following categories:
(1) Any death that occurs suddenly and unexpectedly, that is, when the person has not been under medical care for significant heart, lung, or other disease.(2) Any death suspected to be due to violence, resulting, that is, from suicidal, accidental, homicidal, or undetermined injury, regardless of when or where the injury occurred.(3) Any death suspected to be due to alcohol or drugs or exposure to toxic agents.(4) Deaths due to poisoning.(5) All deaths of persons in the custody of law enforcement officers or in penal institutions.(6) Deaths suspected to be involved with the decedent's occupation.(7) Deaths unattended by a physician.(8) Any death due to neglect.(9) Any stillbirth of 20 or more weeks' gestation unattended by a physician.(10) Deaths due to criminal abortion.(11) Any death of an infant or child under 19 years of age where the medical history has not established some preexisting medical condition to clearly explain the death and the preterminal circumstances.(12) Deaths which are possibly directly or indirectly attributable to environmental exposure not otherwise specified.(13) Any death suspected to be due to infectious or contagious disease wherein the diagnosis and extent of disease at the time are undetermined.(14) Any death occurring under suspicious or unusual circumstances.(15) When a body is to be cremated, dissected, or buried at sea.(16) When a body is brought into Mobile County without proper medical certification.Ala. Code § 45-49-171.63 (1975)