1-21-901 through 1-21-909.

1-21-901 through 1-21-909.

7-4-204. Oath of witness; recording of testimony; compensation of reporter.

An oath shall be administered to each witness as follows: "You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that the testimony which you shall give to this inquest concerning the death of the person about whom this inquest is being held, shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God." The coroner shall ensure that all testimony in an inquest shall be recorded. The compensation of the court reporter or of the person transcribing the audio tape shall be as prescribed by the board of county commissioners. Unless specifically requested by the coroner or prosecuting attorney, audio tapes need not be transcribed.

7-4-205. Return of inquisition by jury.

After hearing testimony and making necessary inquiries, the jurors shall return to the coroner their signed inquisition stating the name of the person and when, how and by what means, if known, he came to his death.

7-4-206. Coroner's return to court.

The coroner shall return to the district court the inquisition, the written evidence and a list of witnesses providing material testimony.

7-4-207. Disposition of body and effects of deceased.

(a) When the coroner investigates the death of a person whose body is not claimed by a friend or relative within five (5) days of the date of discovery and whose death does not require further investigation, he shall cause the body to be decently buried. The expense of the burial shall be paid from any property found with the body. If no property is found, the expense of the burial shall be paid by the county in which the investigation occurs.

(b) The coroner shall, within a reasonable time after completing the investigation, turn over to the appointed personal representative of the estate of the deceased or, if none is found the coroner shall make a good faith effort to contact the deceased's next of kin and the coroner shall dispose of all money or other property found upon the body of the deceased in accordance with subsection (c) of this section. Personal items valued at less than fifty dollars ($50.00) and items necessary for the convenience of the deceased's next of kin may be released to the deceased's next of kin.

(c) If there is no personal representative of the estate and if the deceased's next of kin does not claim the money and property found upon the body of the deceased within one hundred eighty (180) days, the coroner shall cause the property to be sold at public auction to the highest bidder or by any other means of sale adopted by the county in which the investigation occurs. All money and any proceeds from the sale or auction of the property shall first be used to pay the expenses of the burial in accordance with subsection (a) of this section. Any remaining money and proceeds in excess of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be deposited and placed in the custody of the state treasurer under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

7-4-208. Authority of sheriff to perform duties of coroner.

If there is no coroner, deputy coroner or in case of their absence, or inability to act, the county sheriff of the same county, the state health officer pursuant to W.S. 35-1-241, or the coroner of another county if there is a joint powers agreement pursuant to W.S. 16-1-102 through 16-1-108 between the counties authorizing the coroner to so act, is authorized to perform the duties of coroner in relation to dead bodies.

7-4-209. Postmortem examination; liability limitation.

(a) When an inquisition is being held, if the coroner or the jury shall deem it requisite, he may summon one (1) or more physicians or surgeons, to make an autopsy or postmortem examination.

(b) If it is necessary to obtain or preserve evidence of the cause of death, the district attorney may order that a qualified physician perform an autopsy or postmortem examination of the body of any person who appears to have died by unlawful means, by violence, or when the cause of death is unknown.

(c) No person is subject to civil liability solely because he requested or was involved in the performing of an autopsy that was ordered by a coroner or district attorney.

7-4-210. Fees and mileage; salary.

(a) The coroner or deputy coroner of each county within this state shall receive fees and mileage, if any, as set by the board of county commissioners.

(b) The board of county commissioners shall set the salary of the coroner and deputy coroner. A coroner or deputy coroner shall not be prohibited from receiving other fees for their services unrelated to their official duties as coroner or deputy coroner.  7-4-211. Board of coroner standards.

(a) There is created a board of coroner standards. The board shall consist of one (1) chairman and six (6) members appointed by and who shall serve at the pleasure of the governor as follows:

(i) One (1) shall be a physician with a specialty in pathology who is licensed to practice in this state;

(ii) Three (3) shall be duly elected coroners in this state;

(iii) One (1) shall be a funeral director in this state;

(iv) One (1) shall be a duly elected district attorney in this state;

(v) One (1) shall be a peace officer certified under W.S. 9-1-701 through 9-1-711.

(b) The members of the board shall be appointed to terms of four (4) years which are concurrent with the terms of the office of coroner. Board members not otherwise compensated for attending board meetings shall receive travel expenses and per diem in the same manner and amount as state employees, and any other reasonable expenses upon board approval. Board members not otherwise compensated shall have their expenses paid from the general fund by appropriation to the office of the attorney general.

(c) The board shall:

(i) Meet at least biannually and at the call of the chairman or of a majority of the membership;

(ii) Promulgate standards dealing with the investigation of coroner's cases;

(iii) Promulgate educational and training requirements for coroner basic and continuing education requirements and review those requirements annually;

(iv) Cooperate with the peace officer standards and training commission in developing basic and continuing education courses for coroners;  (v) Promulgate employment standards for deputy coroners and coroner employees. The standards may include the requirement that deputy coroners and coroner employees provide to the employing coroner fingerprints and other information necessary for a state and national criminal history record background check and release of information as provided in W.S.