(1) The term "cause of death" shall refer to the agent which has directly or indirectly resulted in a death.
(2) The term "manner of death" shall refer to the means or fatal agency that caused a death. Manner of death shall be classified in one of the five following categories: A. natural, B. accident, C. homicide, D. suicide, E. undetermined.
(3) The term "post-mortem examination" shall mean examination after death and shall include an examination of the dead body and surroundings by the medical examiner but shall not include dissection of the body for any purpose.
(4) The term "autopsy" shall mean the dissection of a dead body and the removal and examination of bone, tissue, organs and foreign objects for the purpose of determining the cause and the manner of such death.
(5) the term "inquest" shall mean an official judicial inquiry before a coroner and coroner's jury for the purpose of determining the manner of death.
(6) The term "county medical examiner" shall refer to the licensed physician or pathologist designated by the county medical examiner's commission pursuant to this article for the purpose of performing post-mortem examinations, autopsies, and examinations of other forms of evidence required by this article.
(7) The term "deputy medical examiner" shall mean a licensed physician employed by the county medical examiner, with the approval of the commission, to perform post-mortem examinations, autopsies, and examinations of other forms of evidence as required by this article.
(8) The term "laboratory" shall mean a laboratory containing facilities for the scientific detection and identification of physical evidence connected with crimes and causes of death and such other examinations of tissue, chemical substances and gases that will contribute to the health and well-being of all people.
(9) The term "peace officer in charge" shall mean members of the county, city, or town policemen, county, city, or town detectives, South Carolina Highway Patrol or South Carolina Law Enforcement Division who may be in charge of the investigation of any case involving a death covered by this article.