What is a primary disadvantage of requiring the medical examiner to certify death at an incident scene?

Requiring the medical examiner to certify death at an incident scene can indeed delay the clearance process, which in turn creates secondary hazards. When the medical examiner must arrive and perform their duties on-site, it extends the time that emergency responders and other agencies are waiting, potentially keeping the area hazardous for longer than necessary. This delay can lead to several issues, such as increased risk of additional accidents or injuries occurring, especially if the scene is on a busy roadway.

Furthermore, the longer the clearance takes, the more it hampers the flow of traffic and can exacerbate the original incident's impact, leading to congestion, frustration among drivers, and additional incidents. Therefore, the need to conduct a thorough investigation and certification at the scene, while important for legal and procedural reasons, can complicate overall incident management.