S.C. Code Ann. § 16-3-1130

(1) A claim, once accepted for filing and completed, must be assigned to a field representative. The field representative shall examine the papers filed in support of the claim and cause an investigation to be conducted into the validity of the claim. The investigation shall include but not be limited to an examination of police, court, and official records and reports concerning the crime and an examination of medical and hospital reports relating to the injury upon which the claim is based. All claims arising from the death of an individual as a direct result of a crime must be considered together by a single field representative. (2) Claims must be investigated and determined, regardless of whether the alleged criminal has been apprehended, prosecuted, or convicted of any crime based upon the same incident or whether the alleged criminal has been acquitted or found not guilty of the crime in question. (3) The field representative conducting the investigation shall file with the deputy director a written report setting forth a recommendation and his reason for the recommendation. The deputy director shall render a written decision and furnish the claimant with a copy of the decision.