Could a South Carolina coroner keep the Book of Inquisitions only in a computer database?

Plain-English summary

Aiken County's interim coroner asked whether a computer database could replace the statutory "Book of Inquisitions." The Attorney General said records could also be kept electronically for convenience, but the coroner still needed a separate book. It relied on an earlier AG opinion reading the statute as requiring inquests to be recorded together in a volume rather than kept solely in individual files.

The letter gave that answer under Section 17-7-330 as the office understood it in 2004. It did not address technical requirements for an electronic system or later changes to recordkeeping law.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 2004. Subsequent statutory amendments, court decisions, or later AG opinions may have changed the analysis. Treat this page as historical context, not current legal advice. Verify current law before relying on any specific rule, deadline, or remedy mentioned here.

Common questions

Q: Was a computer database enough to satisfy the Book of Inquisitions requirement?
A: The AG said no. The coroner could keep electronic records, but also had to maintain the separate book.

Q: Could a coroner keep separate inquest files as well?
A: The earlier opinion quoted in this letter said file folders could be used for convenience, but not in place of a separate volume recording inquests.

Background and statutory framework

Section 17-7-330 was the statute the requester cited for the Book of Inquisitions. The AG quoted an earlier opinion about paper file folders, then applied its separate-volume reading to the proposed electronic database.

Citations

• Section 17-7-330

Source

• Landing page: https://www.scag.gov/opinions/opinions-archive/august-20-2004/
• Original PDF: https://www.scag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/04aug-20-Haythorn.pdf

Original opinion text

The State of South Carolina

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
HENRY McMAsTER
ATfORNEY GENERAL

August 20, 2004

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The Honorable Robert C. Haythom
Interim Coroner of Aileen County
P. 0 . Box 599
Aiken, South Carolina 29802
Dear Coroner Haythom:
In a letter to this office you referenced that by statute, a coroner is required to maintain a "Book of Inquisitions". See: S.C. Code Ann. Section 17-7-330 (2003). You have asked whether such book must be maintained as a physical paper record or may these records be kept in electronic form in the coroner's computer data base.

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Enclosed is a copy of a prior opinion of this office which dealt with the question as tc whether a book must be maintained or whether the proceedings may be kept in a f"tle folder system. The opinion commented as follows:
...it is obvious that what is intended by such statute is a recording of all inquests in a volume as opposed to totally utilizing a file system to maintain records relating to an inquest. Therefore, while a coroner may find it more convenient to keep records of proceedings in file folders ...a separate volume should be kept...This maintaining of a separate volume may involve in some instances a repetitive system but, as referenced, the maintenance of a "Book of Inquisitions" is required by Section 17-3-330.

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R.EMBm C. Deoos BunJ>ING • Posr 0FF:la! Box I I 549 • CoLUMBIA, S.C. 2921I-1549 • TELEPHONE: 803-734-3970 • FACSIMILE: 803-253-6283
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The Honorable Robert C. Haythorn
Page2
August 20, 2004

Consistent with such, while records may be kept for convenience in an electronic form, until the General Assembly amends Section 17-3-330 and its requirement for "The Coroner's Book of Inquisitions", such separate book should be maintained. Sincerely,

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Charles H. Richardson
Senior Assistant Attorney General
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:

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Robert D. Cook
Assistant Deputy Attorney General

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