Under what circumstances should a Medical Examiner be notified?

A Medical Examiner should be notified if death occurs unattended by a physician because such situations raise questions about the cause and circumstances surrounding the individual's death. In the absence of a physician's attendance, it becomes crucial to investigate further to determine if foul play was involved or if there were any unexpected factors contributing to the death. This step ensures that all deaths are accounted for appropriately and helps maintain public health and safety standards.

In contrast, a known illness, natural causes, or the presence of witnesses may not necessitate the same level of scrutiny from a Medical Examiner. If a physician is present, they can provide a clear cause of death, and deaths due to known illnesses or natural causes generally do not require a formal examination unless indicated otherwise. Thus, the presence or absence of a physician at the time of death is a key factor in deciding whether to involve a Medical Examiner.