Tennessee § 38-7-109 - Investigation by county medical examiner.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 38-7-109 — Investigation by county medical examiner., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 38-7-109. Investigation by county medical examiner.
When a death is reported as provided in § 38-7-108, it is the duty of the county medical examiner in the county in which the death occurred to immediately make an investigation of the circumstances of the death. The county medical examiner shall record and store the findings, and transmit copies according to the death investigation guidelines developed by the Tennessee medical examiner advisory council. In any event the county medical examiner is authorized to remove from the body of the deceased a specimen of blood or other body fluids, or bullets or other foreign objects, and to retain such for testing and/or evidence if in the county medical examiner's judgment these procedures are justified in order to complete the county medical examiner's investigation or autopsy. When an autopsy is ordered by the district attorney general, the county medical examiner shall notify the chief medical examiner and the county medical examiner may perform the autopsy or shall designate and authorize a pathologist to perform the autopsy as provided in § 38-7-105. Acts 1961, ch. 174, § 8; 1965, ch. 320, §§ 1, 2; 1967, ch. 399, § 5; T.C.A., § 38-709; Acts 1994, ch. 775, § 7; 1995, ch. 258, § 3; 2004, ch. 595, § 1; 2008, ch. 969, §§ 14-16. Cross-References. Recipients of dead bodies to be notified of communicable diseases and AIDS, § 68-5-102 . Textbooks. Tennessee Criminal Practice and Procedure (Raybin), § 27.102. Law Reviews. Symposium: “One Advocate's ‘Junk Science’ Is Another Advocate's Evidence: Forging New Paths In Forensic Science”: Keynote Address: Crime Scene Investigations: A Primer For Legal Advocates, 6 Tenn. J. L. & Pol'y 192 (2010).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 38-7-109
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 38-7-109 cover?
Section 38-7-109 ("Investigation by county medical examiner.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 38-7-109?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 38-7-109" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 38-7-109 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.