French Code of Criminal Procedure
In forceIn the event of the discovery of a body, whether a violent death or not, but if the cause is unknown or suspicious, the judicial police officer who is notified or, under his supervision, the judicial police officer shall immediately inform the public prosecutor, go to the scene without delay and make the first observations.
The public prosecutor shall go to the scene if he deems it necessary and shall be assisted by persons capable of assessing the nature of the circumstances of the death. He may, however, delegate for the same purposes a judicial police officer of his choice or, under the latter's supervision, a judicial police officer of his choice.
Unless they are registered on one of the lists provided for in article 157, the persons so called shall swear an oath in writing to assist justice in honour and in good conscience.
On the instructions of the public prosecutor, an investigation for the purposes of seeking the causes of death shall be opened. Within this framework and for these purposes, the acts provided for by articles 56 to 62 may be carried out, under the conditions provided for by these provisions. At the end of a period of eight days from the instructions of this magistrate, these investigations may continue in the form of a preliminary enquiry.
The public prosecutor may also request information to investigate the cause of death.
The provisions of the first four paragraphs are also applicable in the event of the discovery of a seriously injured person when the cause of their injuries is unknown or suspect.
