KRS 72.410: Investigation of deaths defined as a coroner's case.

(1) The coroner of each county shall investigate the cause and manner of all deaths that

are defined by KRS 72.405 as a coroner's case.

(2) The coroner may, in his sound discretion, when investigating a coroner's case,

request the assistance of the district me dical examiner and the Office of the

Kentucky State Medical Examiner, order an autopsy, and hold an inquest.

(3) (a) Upon notification of the death of a child under the age of eighteen (18) years

which meets the criteria for a coroner's case as defined in KRS 72.405 and

72.025, the coroner shall immediately contact the local office of the

Department for Community Based Services, law enforcement agencies with

local jurisdiction, and the local health department to determine the existence

of relevant information concerning the case.

(b) Any agency of the state or any other agency, institution, or facility providing

services to the child or the child's family, shall provide to the coroner upon his

or her request the cooperation, assistance, and information to en able the

coroner to comply with the provisions of this chapter. This section shall not be

deemed to abrogate the attorney -client nor the clergy-penitent privilege or the

confidentiality of records provided by KRS 311.377(2). If other privileged or

confidential records are disclosed to the coroner pursuant to this section, the

records shall remain confidential or privileged and shall not be disclosed

except as authorized by this section, to the state or local child fatality response

team, or as otherwise required by law.