Hi:
I cannot comment on the Florida incident specifically or Fla investigative
proceedures or laws, but having been involved with quite a few drownings in
several states I can comment in general.

Typically, the equipment is seized by the investigating authority until
such a time as the investigation is concluded, at which time it is released
to the family if they so request.  Interestingly enough, the police are not
required to inform the family or owners of the procedure to recover seized
evidence.  At least that is my understanding of a new Supreme Court Ruling.

As to ME or coroners reports.  You'd have to review the specific law in the
state concerned, but in most states the report is required to be made
public by law.  But in a recent series of newspaper articles that a bunch
newspapers around the country collaborated on, coroner reports were almost
universally not released to requesting individuals, despite the laws.
Also, sheriffs departments had something like a 80% failure rate when it
came to providing documents required by law to be released.
Best
RW





At 07:36 AM 2/19/99 +1100, Bruce Stewart wrote:
>Can anyone tell me what happens when a death occurs while
>someone is diving and the now deceaseds equipment?, is it
>taken by the investigating authorities i.e. Police or Coroner
>and if so does the next of Kin get it back after?
>
>What happened to the Rebreather that the Nobel guy was
>wearing???
>
>Bruce
>
>PS In the states are the coroners findings "Public" info
>
>
>

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