ANKENY, Iowa —

The state medical examiner's office in Ankeny operates 24/7, investigating deaths and providing closure for families. Dr. Dennis Klein and his team of medical examiners investigate the circumstances in each case.

"We also do an internal examination, which we're able to look at the organs inside the body to really help us understand any injuries or diseases that cause the person's death," Klein said.

The team uses various tools, including evidence gathering from the scene, other tests are done in the lab.

"We do a lot of testing, looking for poisons and medications and drugs. That's very important from both public health and public safety," Klein said.

An average autopsy takes four hours, but more complex cases can take longer.

"It can take weeks, sometimes months, to r

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