a.      Without medical attendance

b.      During continued absence of the attending physician and surgeon.

c.      Where the attending physician or the physician assistant is unable to state the cause of death.

d.      Where suicide is suspected.

e.      Following an injury or an accident.

f.        Under circumstances as to afford a reasonable ground to suspect that the death was caused by the criminal act of another.

Most counties in the State of California maintain a Coroner facility that provides a place to have the deceased held during the investigation. This is commonly called the Central Morgue or Coroner Office.  A few counties that do not have a central morgue or coroner office have a contract for the use of other facilities.  Under those contract terms, some funeral homes have provided limited use for those investigations.  Once the investigation has been completed, the decedent will be released to the funeral home of the families’ choice.