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Hennepin County > Public safety and law > Medical examiner's office

Medical examiner's office

The medical examiner investigates all unexpected deaths in Hennepin, Dakota and Scott counties, to determine how and why a person has died. On request, the office also provides autopsy services for other jurisdictions. 

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  • Information for families (PDF, 1MB)

Contact the office

me.inforequest@hennepin.us

Phone: 612-215-6300

Fax: 612-466-9980

14250 County Road 62

Minnetonka, MN 55345

Map

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Families and next of kin

We use scientific methods to learn how and why a person has died. The information we gather can influence the outcome of court cases, and help surviving family members protect their own health.

Autopsy and results

An autopsy is a thorough physical examination of a body to determine how and why a person died. The examination can also identify disease, injury and other conditions that might not have been obvious when the person was alive. Upon request, certain family members (spouse, children, parents and siblings) may be entitled to an autopsy report.

Request an autopsy report

In some cases, an autopsy is required by law. If you think your loved one would object to an autopsy based on their religious beliefs, tell the medical examiner right away. We will work with you to find a solution.

Also, sometimes the medical examiner must keep larger portions of tissues or even whole organs to fully examine them. If you want those returned, write to our office within two weeks of the autopsy and make arrangements through a funeral director. Otherwise, the tissues and organs are destroyed.

Organ and tissue donation

An investigator or hospital staff may have already approached you about donating your loved one’s tissues or organs. If not, and you’re interested in donation, tell the medical examiner staff right away.

Clothing and property

The medical examiner will account for all the property and clothing brought into the office and store them in a secure area. In most cases, we release clothing and property to the funeral home. The police might hold items that could affect a criminal case.

Public and nonpublic information

Certain information about the death is available to the public, including full name; age; race; gender; home address; date, time and location of injury; date, time and location of death, and brief descriptive comments. Other information about the death is available only to next-of-kin (usually a spouse, children, parents and siblings), and personal lawyers and doctors. We release some information about the death to the public, but most is protected and only available to next of kin.

Make an information request

Request a death certificate

  • Hennepin County
  • Dakota County
  • Scott County

For deaths occurring in other Minnesota counties, request a death certificate from state vital records.

Release of the body

The funeral home may receive the body only with permission from the person with the legal right to decide what happens to the body. In most cases, this is next of kin, but it could also be a health care agent or a member of the extended family. This person must inform the medical examiner’s office if someone else will be making decisions about the body.

  • Information on Minnesota Funeral Homes
  • Next of Kin (NOK) Authorization for Removal
  • Next of Kin (NOK) Relinquishment of Rights to Make Funeral Arrangements
  • Affidavit of Religious Beliefs

Burial assistance

When families can’t afford burial or cremation, the county may be able to help with those expenses.

  • Homicide or violent crime deaths - contact victim services at the county attorney's office
  • Other deaths - contact the county's burial assistance program
  • Burial assistance for Dakota County residents
  • Burial assistance for Scott County residents
  • FEMA disaster funeral assistance
  • FEMA COVID-19 funeral assistance

Forms for genetic and paternity testing

  • Paternity specimen release form
  • Genetic testing consent form
Data requests and death reports

Request a death certificate

Access to death certificates is limited.

Learn who can get one and how to apply.

Request data

On request, certain data about death investigations are available.

Make a data request.

Type and cost of reports

For a fee, you can request several standard reports from the medical examiner's office, if you're allowed to do so under state law. Send fees by check or money order to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.

Autopsy Report $50

Only the deceased person's next of kin, treating physicians and authorized attorneys can request an autopsy report. Next of kin is usually a spouse, children, parents or siblings. Autopsy reports may also become part of a court record, or released by court order. The fee for an autopsy report may be waived for the next-of-kin.

Cause of death hierarchy $30

This report provides the cause and manner of death, and toxicology results. This report has non-public data and the person requesting it must get legal authorization.

Medical Examiner Final $30

This is a summary of case details including cause and manner of death, brief history, summary concerning the demise. This report has non-public data and the person requesting it must get legal authorization.

Medical Examiner Investigative Reports $60

Investigative reports contain the deceased person’s name, age, race, gender, home address, the legal next of kin, location of death, injury detail, narrative and additional reports. This report has non-public data and the person requesting it must get legal authorization.

Photos $100

When photos are available, next of kin, treating physicians and authorized attorneys can request photos of the death scene and autopsy. Next of kin are usually a spouse, children, parents and siblings. Photos may also become part of a court record, or released by court order.

Complete Medical Examiner file $325

This report has non-public data and the person requesting it must have legal authorization.

Public data form (No charge)

This form has all the public data on a deceased person.

Law enforcement, hospitals, hospice, funeral homes, and referral counties

Report a death in Hennepin, Dakota or Scott County

Call 612-215-6300

Referral autopsy forms

Decedent identification and autopsy referral forms are required on all referral cases. Forms must be submitted prior to the transport of the body to the Medical Examiner's Office.

  • Decedent identification form
  • Autopsy referral form

Courtesy hold

Funeral homes may request to temporarily store a body at the Medical Examiner's Office. There is a fee charged for this service.

  • Decedent identification form

Body release forms

  • Licensed funeral director – Next of kin authorization for removal (online form)
  • Licensed funeral director – Next of kin authorization for removal (PDF, 1MB)
  • Digital signature instructions Windows 7 (DOCX, 1MB)
  • Digital signature instructions Windows 10 (DOCX, 1MB)

Forms for death reporting, hospice and cremation

  • Death reporting procedures (PDF, 1MB)
  • Hospice pre-registration
  • Cremation approval (PDF, 1MB)
  • Parental consent for fetal cremation form
  • Advance Directives (health care directives website)

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office no longer accepts paper or faxed cremation approvals. All requests for cremation authorization must be filed and approved in the MR&C system.

Funeral Home Fees

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner charges certain fees to funeral homes. These fees are established by the Hennepin County Board in accordance with Minnesota Statute 390.15. 

Body bag $40 (plus tax)

Body bag fees are charged on cases the medical examiner takes custody of the body.

Cremation authorization $50

Cremation authorization fees are charged on all cases, including those receiving county assistance.

Email an investigator

me.investigators@hennepin.us

Get directions to our office

Medical Examiner's Office
14250 County Road 62, Minnetonka 55345
Medical Examiner's Office map

Medical examiner statutes

State law governs the work of the medical examiner’s office.

Duties of the office - Minnesota Statute 390

Release of data about deaths – Minnesota Statute 13.83

Right to control and duty of disposition - Minnesota Statute 149A.80

About the Medical examiner's office

Our staff

We rely on dedicated and compassionate individuals to conduct death investigations. Medical examiners are medical doctors trained in the specialty of forensic pathology. Investigators look into the circumstances of a death, and are the primary contacts for families and law enforcement. Investigative assistants, technicians and office specialists also support our work.

Our office is accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners.

Employment

Find current opportunities for the Medical Examiner’s Office on the Hennepin Jobs page. We do not offer internships.

Hennepin Jobs 

Tours and talks

The office does not permit civilians to do a ride along or tour the facility. Professional agencies and colleagues may contact the office to inquire about tours and training opportunities. Community outreach and education about death investigation is important to us.

To ask about having a member of the medical examiner's staff speak at your event or agency, please call our office at 612-215-6300.

Request for a presentation.

Request for a tour.

Annual reports

  • Annual report 2023 (PDF, 3MB)
  • Annual report 2022 (PDF, 3MB)
  • Annual report 2021 (PDF, 3MB)
  • Annual report 2020 (PDF, 3MB)
  • Annual report 2019 (PDF, 2MB)
  • Annual report 2018 (PDF, 2MB)
  • Annual report 2017 (PDF, 5MB)
  • Annual report 2016 (PDF, 1MB)
  • Annual report 2015 (PDF, 1MB)
  • Annual report 2014 (PDF, 1MB)
Potential fellows

We have a strong educational mission to train future medical doctors and forensic pathologists. We offer a full year fellowship program in forensic pathology. Applications are accepted year-round from current medical students and residents, and submitting applications 2-3 years early is strongly encouraged.

Fellowships start every July 1st. At the start of the fellowship, the selected fellow must have successfully completed their undergraduate medical education, and have successfully completed 4 years of AP/CP OR at 3 years of AP residency at an accredited medical education institution. The fellow should desire to acquire post-graduate medical education and training in forensic pathology.

The fellow must meet the qualifications for eligibility outlined in the Essentials of Accredited Residencies in Graduate Medical Education in the AMA graduate education directory. Falsification of any of the application or information documents, or failure to meet eligibility requirements, constitutes cause for dismissal.

More information

  • Medical Examiner Forensic Fellowship Program (PDF, 3MB)
  • Medical Examiner Forensic Pathology Fellowship Program (PDF, 1MB)
  • Fellowship job specifications (PDF, 1MB)
  • Fellowship application (DOCX, 1MB)

Questions

Prior to submitting application materials, please contact us to learn about availability.

  • me.inforequest@hennepin.us.
  • 612-215-6300
For students

Thank you for your interest in learning more about the field of forensic science. We have linked some information below where you may find answers to your questions — at least enough to get you started thinking about forensics. Good luck in your future pursuits.

Educational opportunities

We have a strong educational mission to train future medical doctors and forensic pathologists. Our office has an accredited fellowship program in forensic pathology, and collaborates with the University of Minnesota to provide rotational opportunities for medical students and residents.

We also partner with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to provide specialized training to law enforcement officers.

If you are a medical student and interested in scheduling a visiting rotation with us, you can find information on the University of Minnesota website.

Job classifications for medical examiner jobs in Hennepin County

Our staff is a team of professionals with varied skills and educational backgrounds. Some of the careers that are utilized in our office include those listed below, where you can learn more about these careers and what knowledge, skills and abilities we look for when hiring new team members.

  • Assistant Medical Examiner (PDF, 1MB)
  • Medical Examiner Investigator (PDF, 1MB)
  • Medical Examiner Technician (PDF, 1MB)

Resources

  • So you want to be a medical detective?
  • AAFS – American Academy of Forensic Sciences
  • ABMDI – American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators

Interview with Hennepin County medical examiner, Andrew Baker

What educational qualifications do you need to become a medical examiner?

Being a medical examiner in the United States requires a college degree, a medical degree (MD or DO), residency training in anatomical or anatomical and clinical pathology (generally 3-4 years), and a year-long fellowship in forensic pathology. Both the pathology residency and the forensic pathology fellowship are followed by board certification examinations.

How would you describe what your job entails?

A typical day in the life of a medical examiner usually starts with reading new cases and deciding which cases need autopsies or other further investigation. Depending on the day of the week, a medical examiner might next perform one or more autopsies. Later in the day, after autopsies are completed, you would find the medical examiner returning phone calls to families, editing autopsy reports, signing death certificates, teaching, or meeting with attorneys in preparation for an upcoming trial.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of being a medical examiner is using medical skills to solve mysteries. Many of the deaths we investigate are not fully explained until a complete autopsy and extensive laboratory work are done. Our skills provide answers to families, the public, and the courts that they would otherwise not have.

What is a common misconception people have about what you do?

Medical examiners on TV are often portrayed as an arm of law enforcement or the criminal justice system. In reality, we are completely independent of those. Medical examiners are doctors whose work happens to sometimes overlap with the law enforcement or the criminal justice systems, and we use our medical skills to inform them.

What is the most memorable experience you’ve had as a medical examiner?

I was one of the core team of forensic pathologists that identified and autopsied all the people killed in the September 11, 2001, attack on American Airlines Flight 77 and the Pentagon in Washington DC.

What are you the most proud of?

In 2017, I worked pro bono on a case for the Innocence Project. My work and my testimony helped secure the exoneration of a woman who spent 15 years in prison for a murder she could not possibly have committed.

If I wanted to be a medical examiner, what courses should I take to prepare?

The most important thing a young person can do is make sure your college advisor knows, on day one, that you are planning to apply to medical school. Your premedical advisor will make sure you take all the courses required for medical school admission. Beyond those courses, there is nothing specific you need to do to prepare for a future as a medical examiner. My personal advice would be to take as many courses outside the sciences as you can — the arts, humanities, literature, history, social sciences — that will make you a well-rounded person and physician. Honing your writing and public speaking skills will serve you well as a medical examiner.

News releases

Read public information about cases the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office has investigated. All files are formatted as PDFs.

May 2025

May 8

  • McIntyre, Willen Tyler
  • Walsh, Thor William Wagaman

May 4

  • Rainey, LaRas Francis

May 2

  • Denny, Evan Ramon
  • Ewing, Derrick Lamont
  • Goodwin, Joseph Douglas
  • Gilbert, Tiago Antonio
  • White, Merelle Joan

April 2025

April 30

  • Kaiser, Diana Lee

April 29

  • Agnew, Lamont, Jr. 

April 26

  • Noor, Zakaria Abdikafi

April 25

  • Wrobel, Tyler Nathan

April 20

  • Collins, Davione Daunte Charles

April 14

  • Schille, Michael Maurice

April 13

  • Holliday, Carlos Chavez

April 10

  • Johnston, Catherine Ann

April 8

  • Finnell, Cynthia

April 1

  • Dolan, Terrance Robert

March 2025

March 23

  • Turner, Adonis Raven

March 18

  • Bluemke, Joseph Ferdinand

March 15

  • Felt, Randy Wayne

March 4

  • Harris, Lavelle Maurice

March 3

  • Dabarani, Ibrahim Faisal

February 2025

February 20

  • Larson, Kalai Terese

February 8

  • Manzano-Gomez, Roberto Julian

February 7

  • Easton, Jalen Mathis

February 4

  • Hernandez Aguilar, Yadira Gabriela

February 3

  • Justice, Tabitha Renee
  • Espino, Martinez, Martin

January 2025

January 25

  • Mohamed, Aman Mukhtar

January 21

  • Smith, James Edward
  • Ramzy, Abdullah Ibrahim

January 10

  • Rodriguez, Rico Ronondo

January 6

  • Holguin-Sandova, Adelaido

January 1

  • Hawkins, Bobby Glenn

December 2024

December 26

  • Heiland, Robert Martin

December 19

  • Neadeau, Myron Dale James

December 18

  • Reece, Rose Elaine
  • Fulks, Esther Jean

December 16

  • Pohl, Willard Henry

December 15

  • Cizinski, Debra Kay-Larson

December 13

  • Blackwell, Quadir Deangelo

December 11

  • Jones, Travion Jacoa

December 8

  • Blue, Ramone Rashawn 
  • Horvath, Martin Wayne

December 6

  • Abdi, Yahye Ali

December 3

  • Allen, Debbie Leshelle
  • Sims, Kerry
  • Omer, Nebil Ahmed
  • Wright, Ra'Lasia Jaquil
  • Molette, Treyvon Marcellis

December 2

  • Mohamed, Mohamed Yusuf

November 2024

November 30

  • Edstrom, Ricky Delbert

November 27

  • Harris, Hussanee Abdul-Malik

November 25

  • Ertel, Destin Michael

November 20

  • Davis, Tedrick Lamount Lamar

November 14

  • Hayes, Danielle Ellen

November 11

  • Linaldi Enriquez, Emiliano Alonzo
  • Gunderson, John Patrick

November 8

  • Broome, De'Miaya Juandrea

November 4

  • Moss, Samantha Jo

October 2024 

October 28

  • Lemons, Louis Mitchell, Jr.
  • Washington, Christopher Martell
  • Terwey, Julie Kay

October 27

  • Caston, Deven Leonard
  • Johnson, Carnell Mark, Jr.

October 25

  • Gubbay, Natalie

October 22

  • Pavlak, Austin David
  • Zieman, Gordon Wayne
  • Peppard, Colleen Marie

October 21

  • Walker, William Demone
  • Tashniyazov, Alimdjon Pirnazarovich
  • Wade, Demarion Deshaun

October 18

  • Sanchez Sanchez, Johnny Birzavi

October 16

  • Rosas, David Efren
  • Dahlstrom, Dennis R

October 12

  • Goodwin, Isaiah Khalel

October 11

  • Genis, Peter Vsevolod
  • Keefe, Joseph Stephen

October 7

  • Dawson, Garrett Mathew

October 4

  • Price, Kaeden Devon

October 3

  • Smith, Felisha Renee

September 2024 

September 29

  • Walker, Benjaman Nyman

September 27

  • Murdock, Seantrell Tyreese

September 26

  • Reed, Keair Marquis

September 23

  • Haggray, Benjamin Hezekiah
  • Kittikriekphon, Nichanon
  • Woodberry, Lunden Marcel

September 21

  • Hommer, Johnathan David

September 20

  • Brown, Robert Milton

September 19

  • Littleowl, Roland Scott

September 17

  • Castor, Irene Isabell

September 10

  • Johnson, Ethan Emanuel
  • Dahl, Lori Catherine
  • Pernerovsky, Volodymyr

September 7

  • Cole, Landon Drake

September 6

  • Sparkman, Mario Ray

September 5

  • Hall, De'Jaun Marquise Michael

September 4 

  • Cooper, Rodney Bernard

September 3

  • Harvey, Gabriel Quinn
  • Folkerts, Kristina Marie

September 1

  • Lyons, William Wade
  • Jibril, Kadar Niman

August 2024 

August 28

  • Brown, Smith Coop
  • Vang, Payao

August 27

  • Terry, Tyra Kiyae

August 20

  • Hole, JaBraun Garron

August 17

  • Porter, D'Shawn JC

August 12

  • Muse, Jama Ahmed

August 5

  • Bergstrom, Holly Chunmei

August 4

  • Harwell, Victoria Eileen

August 2

  • Levi, DeVaughn Wesley

July 2024 

July 30

  • Thomas, Omari Kwakou

July 29

  • Friend, Troy Dean
  • Burley, Mario Lamont

July 24

  • Riccio, Michael Robert

July 22

  • Spitzmueller, Kenneth Robert
  • Spitzmueller, Patricia Ann
  • Combs, Tavaughn Lamarr

July 16

  • Warren-Loyd, Lonnaya I'zanay

July 15

  • Thurmond, Christopher Darnell

July 9

  • Stevenson, Javon Jarule
  • Tran, Cuc Thi
  • Quigley, James Patrick

June 2024 

June 30

  • Cariif, Ahmed Ibrahim
  • Woodard, Carl Maurice

June 20

  • Forster, Jackson Dallas

June 17

  • Burgess, Derek Angelo
  • Alagushankar, Vishagan

June 14

  • Ristow, Michael Warren

June 11

  • Harden, Amir Demarion

June 9

  • Aden, Mohamed Bashir

June 8

  • Weyenberg, Lucas Zander

June 5

  • Israel, Bethany Ann

June 3

  • Bell-Bey, Aron Jabari
  • Bailey, Malacai Lamonte

June 1

  • Mohamed, Mustafa Ahmed

May 2024

May 31

  • Mitchell, Jamal James
  • Jimale, Osman Said

May 30

  • Milligan, Joseph

May 25

  • Stack, Edward Joseph

May 23

  • Poalacin Perez, Lilian Magali

May 19

  • Chesness, Ryan Steven
  • Adams, Da'Vonte Javon

May 17

  • Legore-Banks, Di'jon Chase
  • Abader, Abdirizak Mahamed 

May 12

  • Lee, Eh

May 11

  • Shivnarine, Vern Brahm

May 10

  • Taco, Miguel Angel
  • Otterstrom, Ronald Alan   

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