Indiana Code 36-2-14-6.5. Duty to make positive identification; manner of positive identification; exception; timely notification of next of kin
(b) As used in this section, “human remains” has the meaning set forth in IC 35-45-19-1.5.
Terms Used In Indiana Code 36-2-14-6.5
- Decedent: A deceased person.
(1) The dead person’s spouse.
(2) The dead person’s child.
(3) The dead person’s parent.
(4) The dead person’s grandparent.
(5) The dead person’s sibling.
(d) The coroner shall make a positive identification of human remains unless extraordinary circumstances described in subsection (e) exist. In making a positive identification, the coroner shall determine the identity of the human remains by one (1) of the following methods:
(1) Fingerprint identification.
(2) DNA analysis.
(3) Dental record analysis.
(4) Tracking a unique identifying number on a medical device (as defined in IC 24-4-12-7) that is surgically implanted in the dead person’s body.
(5) Positive identification by at least one (1) of the dead person’s immediate family members if the dead person’s body is in a physical condition that would allow for the dead person to be reasonably recognized.
(e) For the purposes of subsection (d), extraordinary circumstances exist if, after a thorough investigation, the coroner determines that identification of the dead person is not possible under any of the five (5) methods described in subsection (d).
(f) Unless extraordinary circumstances described in subsection (e) exist, the coroner shall notify the decedent‘s next of kin in a timely manner. The coroner shall retain the information derived from any of the methods described in subsection (d) until the decedent’s next of kin has been located.
As added by P.L.157-2007, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.45-2019, SEC.1; P.L.47-2019, SEC.6; P.L.211-2019, SEC.49.