(a) Authority.—
Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the Armed Forces Medical Examiner may conduct a forensic pathology investigation to determine the cause or manner of death of a deceased person if such an investigation is determined to be justified under circumstances described in subsection (b). The investigation may include an autopsy of the decedent’s remains.
(b) Basis for Investigation.—
(1)
A forensic pathology investigation of a death under this section is justified if at least one of the circumstances in paragraph (2) and one of the circumstances in paragraph (3) exist.
(2) A circumstance under this paragraph is a circumstance under which—
(A)
it appears that the decedent was killed or that, whatever the cause of the decedent’s death, the cause was unnatural;
(3) A circumstance under this paragraph is a circumstance under which—
(A) the decedent—
(i)
was found dead or died at an installation garrisoned by units of the armed forces that is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States;
(iii)
was recently retired under chapter 61 of this title as a result of an injury or illness incurred while a member on active duty or inactive duty for training; or
(iv)
was a civilian dependent of a member of the armed forces and was found dead or died outside the United States;
(B)
in any other authorized Department of Defense investigation of matters which involves the death, a factual determination of the cause or manner of the death is necessary; or
(C)
in any other authorized investigation being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board, or any other Federal agency, an authorized official of such agency with authority to direct a forensic pathology investigation requests that the Armed Forces Medical Examiner conduct such an investigation.
(c) Determination of Justification.—
(1)
Subject to paragraph (2), the determination that a circumstance exists under paragraph (2) of subsection (b) shall be made by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner.
(2) A commander may make the determination that a circumstance exists under paragraph (2) of subsection (b) and require a forensic pathology investigation under this section without regard to a determination made by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner if—
(d) Limitation in Concurrent Jurisdiction Cases.—
(1) The exercise of authority under this section is subject to the exercise of primary jurisdiction for the investigation of a death—
(B)
in the case of a death in a foreign country, by that foreign country under any applicable treaty, status of forces agreement, or other international agreement between the United States and that foreign country.
(2)
Paragraph (1) does not limit the authority of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner to conduct a forensic pathology investigation of a death that is subject to the exercise of primary jurisdiction by another sovereign if the investigation by the other sovereign is concluded without a forensic pathology investigation that the Armed Forces Medical Examiner considers complete. For the purposes of the preceding sentence a forensic pathology investigation is incomplete if the investigation does not include an autopsy of the decedent.
(e) Procedures.—For a forensic pathology investigation under this section, the Armed Forces Medical Examiner shall—
(2)
to the extent practicable and consistent with responsibilities under this section, give due regard to any applicable law protecting religious beliefs;
(3)
as soon as practicable, notify the decedent’s family, if known, that the forensic pathology investigation is being conducted;