SDCL § 23-14-18.2: Jurisdiction and duties of special death investigators.

At the request of a county coroner having jurisdiction over a dead body, or at the request of a state's attorney in deaths which may have occurred by unlawful means, the special death investigator may directly assume jurisdiction over any dead body when determination of the cause and manner of death may be in the public interest, with the same duties and responsibilities as a county coroner. With the concurrence of the county coroner, a special death investigator may issue subpoenas for witnesses or records pertaining to deaths investigated pursuant to § 23-14-18.