In the case of an overdose, who should receive the victim's medication?

In the context of an overdose, the medication of the victim should be received by the medical examiner. The medical examiner plays a crucial role in investigating the circumstances surrounding a death, particularly in cases of suspected overdose. Their function includes collecting evidence, which may encompass medications that were found in the vicinity of the victim. This helps in determining the cause of death and any potential legal implications.

The medical examiner's involvement is vital as they may need to analyze the substances to understand the nature of the overdose, including identifying the specific drugs involved. This can assist in establishing patterns in drug use in the community, which is valuable for public health efforts.

In contrast, a police officer primarily investigates the scene and gathers evidence but does not take custody of the victim's medications for analysis or any medical purpose. Next of kin typically have no role in the forensic collection of evidence; their rights are more aligned with matters of personal estate and mourning. An attending physician, while responsible for the victim's immediate care prior to the incident, is usually not the authority that collects medications after an overdose for purposes of investigative analysis.