SDCL § 23-14-9.2: Autopsy fees--Physician, surgeon, or coroner performing autopsy--Responsibility for costs--Recovery from perpetrator’s estate.

A physician or surgeon appointed under § 23-14-9.1, or the coroner if the coroner is a physician or surgeon providing services pursuant to § 23-14-9.1, shall receive a reasonable fee for services rendered, as approved by the board of county commissioners. The board shall pay the fee out of the general fund of the county.

The decedent's county of residence must reimburse the county in which the autopsy occurred for the cost of the autopsy if:

(1) The death occurred in a county other than the decedent's county of residence; and

(2) The county of residence requested the autopsy or is the site where the accident or injury leading to the death occurred.

If a perpetrator of a crime dies during the commission of the crime, or the perpetrator commits suicide subsequent to the commission of the crime, the county that paid for the autopsy may recover the cost of the autopsy and any other related expenses from the perpetrator's estate.