South Carolina Funeral Law Practice Exam

Are records concerning the death of a person available to a coroner of another state?

1. Yes, they are available.

2. No, they are strictly confidential.

3. Only if the deceased was a resident of the other state.

4. Only if the request is made in writing.

The correct answer is: Yes, they are available.

In South Carolina, records concerning the death of a person, including autopsy reports and death certificates, can indeed be accessed by coroners from other states. This is based on the intergovernmental collaboration often necessary in forensic investigations, where understanding a death in one jurisdiction may require information from another. Therefore, the correct choice reflects the principle that such records are available to coroners from other states seeking to gather pertinent information for their investigations. Access to these records can facilitate cooperation between states, especially in cases involving interstate elements, such as transportation of deceased individuals across state lines or investigations that involve offenses committed in multiple jurisdictions. It is important to understand that this access is typically sought in the context of ongoing investigations and may still involve certain protocols to protect the privacy of the deceased's family.