§ 611-B:2 — Chief Medical Examiner; Authority; Rulemaking

I. There is hereby established within the department of justice the office of chief medical examiner. The office shall be under the immediate supervision of a person who shall be known as the "chief medical examiner," and who shall be a duly licensed physician and certified by the American Board of Pathology to possess special competence in forensic pathology and who has had experience in forensic medicine. The chief medical examiner shall be nominated by the attorney general and appointed by the governor and council and shall serve for a term of 5 years and until a successor is appointed, unless sooner removed by the governor and council for cause in accordance with the provisions of RSA 4:1. The chief medical examiner shall be subject to direction and control by the attorney general in all matters relating to the enforcement of the criminal law. The chief medical examiner shall enforce the provisions of this chapter. The chief medical examiner or designee shall be continually available for emergency consultation as necessary for carrying out the functions of this office.
II. The chief medical examiner shall have the authority to adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to:
(a) The methods and procedures for medico-legal death investigations.
(b) The examination of substances taken from dead bodies or human remains in order to determine the manner of death, provided that such examinations shall be conducted, whenever possible, at existing qualified state facilities.
(c) Training and certification of medical examiners under RSA 611-B.
(d) The fee schedule for medical examiners under RSA 611-B.
(e) Forms, blank returns, and other documents necessary for medical examiners to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

Legislative History

2007, 324:1, eff. Sept. 14, 2007.