What Are the Laws?
Unexpected Death:
All sudden or unexpected deaths and all deaths that may be due entirely or in part to any factor other than natural disease processes must be promptly reported to the coroner or medical examiner for evaluation per MN Statute 390.11 - Investigations.
Moving a Body:
A person may not move, interfere with, or handle the body or the effects of a deceased subject to an investigation by the coroner or medical examiner per MN Statute 390.221 - Bodies; Effects; Custody
Jurisdiction:
The coroner or medical examiner of the county in which a person dies or is pronounced dead shall have jurisdiction over the death, regardless of where any injury that resulted in the death occurred per MN Statute 390.012 - Jurisdiction
Possessions:
The coroner or medical examiner may take possession of all articles that may be useful in establishing the cause or manner of death, identification, or next of kin of the deceased. The coroner or medical examiner shall release all firearms, when no longer needed, to the law enforcement agency handling the investigation. See MN Statute 390.225 regarding Retention and Release of Property.
Data:
Medical Examiner Data is classified by Data Practices Chapter 13.83. "Medical Examiner Data" means data relating to deceased individuals and the manner and circumstances of their death. Some data is classified as public.
Morgue:
Every county need not have a morgue, but there must be a system or process for receiving, storing, and releasing all dead bodies per MN Statute 390.061 - Morgue