There is hereby established within the office of the chief medical examiner the position of associate medical examiner. The associate medical examiner shall be appointed in the same manner as the chief medical examiner as provided in N.H. Rev. Stat. § 611-B:2, and shall be a licensed physician, certified by the American Board of Pathology as a qualified pathologist, with training and experience in forensic medicine. The associate medical examiner shall serve under the professional direction and supervision of the chief medical examiner and deputy chief medical examiner and shall act as the chief medical examiner whenever the chief medical examiner and deputy chief medical examiner are absent, or unable to act for any cause.