Hi

The Missouri law does require an investigation by the State Medical Examiner in certain cases. It may include an autopsy to determine the cause of death. That law can be read here under 58.720 and it states as follows:

Medical examiner, certain counties, to investigate, when--death
certificate issued, when--place of death--two counties involved, how
determined--efforts to accommodate organ donation.

8.720. 1. When any person dies within a county having a medical examiner as a
result of:

(1) Violence by homicide, suicide, or Accident;

(2) Thermal, chemical, electrical, or radiation injury;

(3) Criminal abortions, including those self-induced;

(4) Disease thought to be of a hazardous and contagious nature or which might
constitute a threat to public health; or when any person dies:

(a) Suddenly when in apparent good health;

(b) When unattended by a physician, chiropractor, or an accredited Christian
Science practitioner, during the period of thirty-six hours immediately
preceding his death;

(c) While in the custody of the law, or while an inmate in a public
institution;

(d) In any unusual or suspicious manner;

the police, sheriff, law enforcement officer or official, or any person
having knowledge of such a death shall immediately notify the office of the
medical examiner of the known facts concerning the time, place, manner and
circumstances of the death. Immediately upon receipt of notification, the
medical examiner or his designated assistant shall take charge of the dead body
and fully investigate the essential facts concerning the medical causes of
death. He may take the names and addresses of witnesses to the death and shall
file this information in his office. The medical examiner or his designated
assistant shall take possession of all property of value found on the body,
making exact inventory thereof on his report and shall direct the return of such
property to the person entitled to its custody or possession. The medical
examiner or his designated assistant examiner shall take possession of any
object or article which, in his opinion, may be useful in establishing the cause
of death, and deliver it to the prosecuting attorney of the county.

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Thank you.Sam41099.9815021991