Medical Examiner

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner provides death investigative services and forensic autopsy services for deaths that occur under Hennepin jurisdiction. All deaths that are sudden or unexpected or occur from other than natural causes must be reported to the Medical Examiner.

For more information on the Medical Examiner, see our fact sheet (PDF 89 K).

The current law outlining the duties of the office, Chapter 390 (revised 2006), states that:

“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. No person other than the county coroner or medical examiner shall file or amend the cause or manner of death information with the state registrar in cases of likely or suspected accidental, suicidal, homicidal, violent, or mysterious deaths occurring in the county.”

Andrew M. Baker, M.D.
Chief Medical Examiner

Forms

• Hospice Pre-Registration Form—This form is used by licensed hospice agencies to pre-register terminally ill hospice patients.
• Cremation Approval Form—This form is used by Funeral Homes and Physicians only to facilitate the cremation approval process with the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office. For any questions about cremation approval procedures in Hennepin County or the use of this form, please contact Phil Pascuzzi at 612-215-6300.

Information for families

The death of a loved one can cause tremendous stress and sorrow. We hope this brochure (PDF 138K) will assist you during the grieving process and help answer questions about the autopsy process and the role of the Medical Examiner.

Looking for a death certificate?

Information about requesting death certificates is available from the Hennepin County Service Center. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office cannot issue death certificates.