Sec. 3. (a) For the purpose of this chapter, consent for a licensed physician to conduct an autopsy of the body of a deceased person is sufficient when given by the following persons if the persons survive the deceased:

(1) By the surviving spouse. However, if the deceased and the surviving spouse were legally separated at the date of death, the survivor is not considered a surviving spouse.

(2) If there is no surviving spouse, then by any one (1) adult child of the deceased.

(3) If there is no surviving spouse or adult child of the deceased, then by one (1) parent of the deceased.

(4) If there is no surviving spouse, adult child, or parent and there is an adult who is next of kin of the deceased residing in the county in which the deceased died a resident, then by any one (1) next of kin.

(5) If there is no surviving spouse, adult child, parent, or next of kin, then by any person assuming custody of and financial responsibility for the burial of the body.

     (b) If there is more than one (1) person authorized to consent, consent of one (1) of the persons is sufficient.

[Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-8-1-4 part.]

As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.19.