Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3028, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1985, c. 611, §7, is further amended to read:

1. Authority to conduct investigation. The medical examiner shall have or the person expressly authorized by the Chief Medical Examiner has authority to conduct an investigation and inquiry into the cause, manner and circumstances of death in a medical examiner case. He The medical examiner or authorized person shall, if deemed it is determined necessary, immediately proceed to the scene and, subject to the authority of the Attorney General, assume custody of the body for the purposes of the investigation, and shall retain custody until the investigation has been completed or until the Chief Medical Examiner has assumed charge of the case.

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §3028, sub-§2, as repealed and replaced by PL 1991, c. 97, §1, is amended to read:

2. Investigation by law enforcement officer. When death is not suspected to be the result of criminal violence physical injury attributable to criminal conduct, the medical examiner may elect not to proceed to the scene, or the Chief Medical Examiner may elect not to dispatch a medical examiner or the person expressly authorized by the Chief Medical Examiner under subsection 1 to the scene. If the medical examiner elects not to proceed to the scene, or the Chief Medical Examiner elects not to dispatch a medical examiner or authorized person to the scene, the law enforcement officer in charge of the scene shall:

A. Investigate and photograph the scene, take photographs and take possession of useful objects as directed by the medical examiner, authorized person or the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner pursuant to subsection 4;

B. Take possession of all objects that in the opinion of the medical examiner or Office of Chief Medical Examiner may be useful in establishing the cause, manner and circumstances of death;

C. Remove the body in accordance with the instructions of the medical examiner, authorized person or the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner; and

D. Make a report of the investigation available to the medical examiner, authorized person or the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Sec. 3. 22 MRSA §3028, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1985, c. 611, §7, is further amended to read: