11-591. Definitions
In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Alternate medical examiner" means a physician who has training and competence
in the principles of death investigation and who performs or directs the conduct of death
investigations.
2. "Autopsy" means a surgical procedure in which internal organs are exposed,
removed or examined for the identification of trauma or natural disease.
3. "Death investigation" means the investigation directed by a county medical
examiner or alternate medical examiner into the circumstances surrounding a death
occurring as prescribed in section 11-593.
4. "External examination" means an external inspection of a body.
5. "Forensic pathologist" means a physician who has successfully completed a
pathology residency and a forensic fellowship or has extensive experience performing
forensic autopsies in an official capacity.
6. "Investigative information" means information received by a medical examiner or
alternate medical examiner from law enforcement, witnesses, family members, health care
personnel or medical death investigators concerning cause and manner of death.
7. "Medical death investigator" means a person trained in the principles of death
investigation.
8. "Medical examiner" means a forensic pathologist who performs or directs the
conduct of death investigations.
9. "Medical information" means information received by a medical examiner or
alternate medical examiner concerning the condition of a near-death patient or decedent
including medical records, reports of an attending or primary care physician, nurse
practitioner, medical death investigator, or organ procurement organizations and physical
exams by a medical examiner or alternate medical examiner.
10. "Nurse practitioner" means a person licensed and certified pursuant to title 32,
chapter 15.
11. "Organ procurement organization" means an organization located within this state
that meets the requirements of section 371 of 42 United States Code section 273.
12. "Physician" means a person licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17.
13. "Tissue bank" means a person that is licensed or regulated under federal or
state law or accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization to engage in
the recovery, screening, testing, processing, storage or distribution of tissue.
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