Minnesota Legislature
Office of the Revisor of Statutes
2006 Minnesota Statutes
This is an historical version of this statute chapter. Also view the most recent published version.
390.221 BODIES; EFFECTS; CUSTODY.
A person may not move, interfere with, or handle the body or the effects of a decedent subject
to an investigation by the coroner or medical examiner except upon order of the coroner, medical
examiner, assistant, or authorized investigator. The coroner or medical examiner shall take charge
of the effects found on or near the body of a deceased person and dispose of them as directed
under section 390.225. If a crime is suspected in connection with the death of a deceased person,
the coroner or medical examiner may prevent any person, except law enforcement personnel,
from entering the premises, rooms, or buildings, and shall have the custody of objects that the
coroner or examiner deems material evidence in the case. The coroner or medical examiner shall
release any property or articles needed for any criminal investigation to law enforcement officers
conducting the investigation, except as noted in section 390.225, subdivision 2. A knowing
violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.
History: 1980 c 509 s 147; 1985 c 265 art 7 s 1; 1986 c 444; 1995 c 189 s 8; 1996 c 277
s 1; 2006 c 260 art 8 s 15
A person may not move, interfere with, or handle the body or the effects of a decedent subject
to an investigation by the coroner or medical examiner except upon order of the coroner, medical
examiner, assistant, or authorized investigator. The coroner or medical examiner shall take charge
of the effects found on or near the body of a deceased person and dispose of them as directed
under section 390.225. If a crime is suspected in connection with the death of a deceased person,
the coroner or medical examiner may prevent any person, except law enforcement personnel,
from entering the premises, rooms, or buildings, and shall have the custody of objects that the
coroner or examiner deems material evidence in the case. The coroner or medical examiner shall
release any property or articles needed for any criminal investigation to law enforcement officers
conducting the investigation, except as noted in section 390.225, subdivision 2. A knowing
violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.
History: 1980 c 509 s 147; 1985 c 265 art 7 s 1; 1986 c 444; 1995 c 189 s 8; 1996 c 277
s 1; 2006 c 260 art 8 s 15
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes