Coroner

Steele County Coroner's Office can be reached by calling:

Responsibilities

The Coroner’s Office provides 24/7 physician-led death investigation, determines jurisdiction, directs investigations and post-mortem testing, certifies cause and manner of death in coroner jurisdiction cases, authorizes cremations and hospice preregistrations, and coordinates with the many agencies and individuals involved in the death process.

Significant Elements of the County Coroner

• Receive and review reports of deaths occurring in Steele County and determine whether Coroner jurisdiction applies.
• Direct death investigations, including review of scene information, law-enforcement reports, medical records, witness information, and other relevant evidence.
• Provide physician oversight and direction to medicolegal death investigators and determine what additional investigation is necessary. Whether autopsy, toxicology, or other post-mortem examination is required and coordinate those services.
• Determine and certify the cause and manner of death in Coroner cases or decedents with no attending physician
• Report to required state agencies on violent deaths, motor vehicle deaths, vulnerable adult deaths, infectious disease deaths, etc.
• Communicate findings and case information, as appropriate, with law enforcement, families, physicians, funeral homes, and other agencies
• Authorize all Steele County cremations
• Manage hospice preregistration, investigation, and death reporting
• Coordinate identification, transportation, storage, and release of decedents when necessary
• Maintain investigative records and provide reports, testimony, or case information when necessary