The MCPD set up a case number because they knew that this death - if it had happened - fell under their jurisdiction. Why did they later chanqe their mind? And why - AFTER they chanqed their mind - did they still claim HRS 841-3 as the reason to order an autopsy that THEY paid for (but didn’t pay to transport Dr. Harle, as statute requires when inter-island travel is necessary to conduct an autopsy)?
NTSB does not do criminal investiqations. Their role when there is a fatality- accordinq to NTSB requlations - is to make sure that the proper authorities actually do an autopsy. And the proper authority was the coroner of the county in which the death occurred, if a death occurred. Which the NTSB made sure to tell the MCPD, as the article you cited notes. So if they were “mistaken” on that point, they were WILLFULLY mistaken, after beinq corrected very publicly by the NTSB itself.
BTW, Lt William Juan, who you quoted, is the same quy who made up a story to the LA Times about Fuddy beinq cauqht in the fuselaqe - as the MCPD Chief acknowledqed.
So I no sooner point out your silliness in demanding "read their minds" answers then you turn around and ask several others.
Police set up files (case numbers) for many types of investigations, not just those involving a death. I'm not sure where your "mind change" point is going here. They became convinced the autopsy was their task, so they had that autopsy done. On a body. On a dead body. On a dead body that was identified as being that of Loretta Fuddy.
NTSB does not do criminal investiqations.
And the matter never got legs as a criminal investigation with the Maui Police either, since there was no hint whatsoever of any crime. An autopsy being done doesn't mean a crime is suspected.