A medicolegal death investigation must be performed when a death falls under the jurisdiction of the county medical examiner investigator, including all suspicious, violent, unexplained, and unexpected deaths. Not all deaths require investigation. For example, an individual with terminal cancer who has died in a nursing home while under a physician’s care will have a presumed cause (i.e., cancer) and manner of death (i.e., natural); no further investigation is likely necessary. However, if foul play is suspected or evident, the death may be designated as one affecting the public interest and subsequently referred for further investigation.
