Which scenario requires notification of law enforcement or the medical examiner?

• A. The patient is dead on arrival
• B. The patient requests a ride to the hospital
• C. The patient signs consent
• D. The scene is non-violent

Answer: (A)

When death is present, law enforcement or the medical examiner must be notified. If a patient is dead on arrival, you treat the scene as a potential medico-legal case, and authorities need to be alerted to preserve evidence, document time and events, and determine the cause and manner of death. The medical examiner takes charge of the death investigation, and law enforcement ensures the scene remains intact for any required inquiry. The other scenarios—someone requesting a ride to the hospital, signing consent, or a non-violent scene—do not involve death or potential crime, so they do not trigger mandatory LE/ME notification.