04-02 Death Investigations Flashcards
The scene of an attempt suicide or a death may contain such hazards as loaded firearms, poisonous gases, live Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) rails, or blood and bodily fluids from persons carrying communicable diseases. It is important
that officers exercise ——- , while conducting a thorough and proper investigation at such scenes.
caution
Supervision
Supervisory Officer attendance mandatory for
s, p, u, s or s
s, a or a where the only witness or person present at the time
of death or the finding of the body is an intimate partner, past or present
SUPS SAAS
suicide, possible sudden death, unnatural sudden death, suspicious death or suspected homicide
Supervisory Divisional Detective attendance mandatory for
d-
s-
u-
s-, a- or a- where the only witness or person present at the time
of death or the finding of the body is an intimate partner, past or present
US SAAD
death of a child under five (5)
sudden unexpected death of a child
unnatural sudden death
sudden unexpected death, apparent suicide or accident where the only witness or person present at the time
of death or the finding of the body is an intimate partner, past or
Supervisory Officer notification mandatory for
- a-
- unable to confirm/establish i———-of the deceased person
- unable to d——- next of kin
- unable to notify next of —- in person
- ———– by another police service to notify next of kin
KADIR
- attempt suicide
- unable to confirm/establish identity of the deceased person
- unable to determine next of kin
- unable to notify next of kin in person
- request by another police service to notify next of kin
Pronouncing Death
No person, except a qualified medical practitioner, has the authority to pronounce a person dead. The only exceptions are where:
death appears obvious due to d——— , d———-, t——-, g——, g—— of cranial or v——— contents, or a g————, or
a base———- has declared death through consultation with an on–scene ——–.
decomposition, decapitation, transection, gross rigor mortis, gross outpouring of cranial or visceral contents, or a grossly charred body, or
hospital physician
paramedic
Pronouncing Death
Any person who has not been pronounced dead by a qualified medical practitioner or does not fall within the above noted exceptions must be treated as a ——– patient. Toronto Paramedic Services (Paramedics) will respond in all cases to render medical assistance as required but will not transport individuals ——– or obviously dead.
living
pronounced
Pronouncing Death
A deceased person will only be transported by ——– away from public view when a body removal service is not readily ———. Deceased persons will not be transported in the same vehicle as a ——–patient.
Officers are reminded to remain vigilant for the possibility of —— in every circumstance where there is:
a sudden, ——- death, and
also present at the time of death or the finding of a body, a partner, and particularly a partner with whom the deceased had or may have had an intimate relationship, recent or remote
Paramedics
available
living
foul play
unexpected
Office of the Chief Coroner
The Coroner will be notified and requested to attend in all cases of ——- sudden death. The Coroner will be responsible for pronouncing death in the absence of another qualified medical practitioner and will authorize the ——-
of the body.
The Coroner may be consulted in cases of sudden death by ——– causes at the discretion of the investigating officer.
After pronouncement of death, the body should not be touched or moved without the direction of the Coroner. However, it may be possible to allow the family early access and/or movement of the body following the initial —— with the Coroner regarding the circumstances of death.
unnatural
removal
natural
discussion
Death of a Child Under Five (5) Years of Age
Every sudden unexpected death of a child or the death of a child under five (5) years of age must be actively investigated as ——-, and premature conclusions should not be made regarding the cause and manner of death until a thorough
investigation has been completed. Officers shall comply with the applicable sections of Procedure 05–01 when conducting such investigations.
suspicious
Identification of the Deceased
The investigator heading an investigation, or a police officer designated by the investigator, shall attend the morgue and be physically present when a deceased is identified under the following circumstances:
homicide, ———— or other related criminal offences
cases where the ——– officer has requested the presence of another officer
cases where an ———-has been or is likely to be called
when the Coroner believes it is necessary due to the nature of the case, or the ——— of the person doing the identification.
If the identification of the deceased can not be determined at this time, shall ensure that the —————- is notified via the global
e-mail address at ———-
suspected homicide
investigating
inquest
condition
Homicide and Missing Persons Unit (Homicide and Missing Persons)
MissingPersons.
Health & Safety Practices during Post Mortem Examinations
Officers directed to attend and obtain the results of the post mortem examination should be aware that admittance into the post mortem examination room is determined by the ———- of the Facility and will be granted only to those
who have an ———- need to be present, including:
officers from ————- who are directly related to the case
being autopsied and have a need for photographs and evidence collection
a police officer who has ——– information regarding the case and needs to be present for investigative reasons.
Medical Director
essential
Detective Operations - Forensic Identification Services (FIS)
direct
Health & Safety Practices during Post Mortem Examinations
Access will be granted ONLY to officers who have an operational, investigative or ———– (by appointment only) need to be present.
Attendance should be restricted to the ———–examination period only unless there is a pertinent, reasonable need to be present through the entire post mortem examination. An office has been set–up exclusively for officers to await the examination results
educational
external
First Police Officer
The first police officer to arrive at the scene shall be responsible for offender management (if applicable), preservation of the evidence and the crime scene while awaiting the arrival of an appropriate investigator.
1. When responding to an attempt suicide, a possible sudden death or an unnatural sudden death shall attend the scene ——– .
2. Upon arrival at the scene shall
designate a ——– of approach to the victim that allows for the least contamination possible
take charge of the scene until the arrival of a ——– officer
in the absence of a doctor or Paramedics personnel
assess the ——– and responsiveness of the victim
administer ——– if signs of life are present while using the universal precautions as detailed in Procedure
08–07
ensure the victim receives immediate medical attention
promptly
line
supervisory
vital signs
first–aid
First Police Officer
request additional assistance as required
request the attendance of a ——- officer
pending the arrival of a supervisory officer, assign officers to complete necessary tasks
advise Paramedics and ———- personnel of medical and suicide attempt details
if the body has been moved, make note of the original position and any items moved to gain access to the body
ensure the ———- is advised of the details of the incident
conduct a Person Query, including a CPIC and Canadian Firearms Registry On–line (CFRO) check
determine whether any of the individuals involved in the occurrence own, possess or have access to a firearm, ammunition, firearms certificate, registration certificate, permit, licence or authorization and comply with
Procedure 05–21
Officer and public safety is compromised when firearms are left in a deceased’s dwelling and may come into the possession of an unlicensed person and/or person untrained to properly handle firearms.
ensure a police officer ———- the victim to hospital
supervisory
Toronto Fire Services (TFS)
communications operator
accompanies
Additional Police Officers
3. When responding to an attempt suicide, a possible sudden death or an unnatural sudden death shall
attend the scene promptly
in the absence of a supervisory officer take direction from the —— police officer
first
Police Officers
- Upon discovering
the death of a child under five (5) years of age
the sudden unexpected death of a child
a suspicious death or suspected homicide, which may include
- an unexplained or unknown cause of death
- found human remains
- obvious or suspected foul play
shall treat the death as suspicious and comply with Procedure 05–01.
Police Officers
- Upon discovering
the death of a child under five (5) years of age
the sudden unexpected death of a child
a suspicious death or suspected homicide, which may include
- an unexplained or ———– cause of death
- found ———–
- obvious or suspected foul play
shall treat the death as suspicious and comply with Procedure 05–01.
unknown
human remains
Police Officers
- When investigating a sudden death in the emergency department of a hospital shall ensure, as part of the investigation that ——– and other caregivers have not intentionally ——- with or altered the body in such a way as to
compromise the evidence and the investigation.
hospital staff
interfered
Police Officers
- When investigating an unnatural sudden death shall
request the attendance of a supervisory officer and a ———– ———–
request the attendance and confirmation of notification of the ——–
leave the body undisturbed when death has been pronounced or where death appears obvious due to decomposition, decapitation, transection, gross rigor mortis, gross outpouring of cranial or visceral contents, or
a grossly charred body
The ——— will determine when the body will be removed.
divisional detective
Coroner
Coroner
Police Officers
promptly notify the Coroner, ——— and ——–personnel if a properly completed consent form relating to ——– donation is located
record all relevant details in the memorandum book, including the
circumstances relating to the ———of the body
position and ——–of the body
physical characteristics of the ———-
description of the ———to and from the body
personal information on the deceased, including but not limited to
- name, address, date and place of birth
- occupation, marital status
- personal physician and medical history
- Ontario Health / other insurance card, ——– number, Social Insurance Number
name, address, occupation and relationship of next of kin
name, address, phone number and occupation of
- the ——– finding the body
- all other persons present
- any persons who have left the scene
method of suicide, if applicable
text of any suicide note or —— writing, if applicable
any relevant information obtained from witnesses and other persons on scene
Paramedics
hospital
organ
finding
description
scene
approach
Welfare
person
criminal
Police Officers
———– the immediate area for any witnesses, where appropriate
notify the ——— Officer if the identification of the deceased cannot be determined
request the attendance of an ————-, where applicable
A Scenes of Crime Officer (SOCO) may only be assigned to examine crime scenes at the discretion of the ————-.
A SOCO shall not be assigned to death investigations involving
- the sudden, ——————
- the death of a —————-
- a ————— or s—————
When a death occurs on TTC property, an FIS Investigator or a SOCO (with approval from FIS) will photograph the scene
canvass
Supervisory
FIS investigator
Officer in Charge – FIS
the sudden, unexpected death of a child
- the death of a child under five (5) years of age
- a suspicious death or suspected homicide.
When a death occurs on TTC property, an FIS Investigator or a SOCO (with approval from FIS)
will photograph the scene
Police Officers
request FIS to fingerprint and photograph the deceased if
any outstanding criminal ———- exist
an active criminal ———- is found
the identification of the deceased is in ————
if an outstanding warrant exists, or a document relating to —– or parole is found, notify the respective unit or police service
if in a public place, ensure the area is cleaned of blood, bodily fluids, etc., when necessary
Either TFS or Toronto —————– may be able to assist
warrants
record
question
bail
Transportation Services
Police Officers
if on private property, advise the ———— or person responsible for the property to ensure the area is cleaned of blood, bodily fluids, etc., when necessary
seize and protect the suicide note or criminal writing in compliance with Procedure 05–08 when directed by a divisional detective
comply with Procedure 04–21 when collecting and seizing evidence other than a suicide note
comply with Procedure 09–01 when seizing items for safekeeping
comply with Procedure 09–04 when seizing narcotics and drugs
comply with the direction of the ————–regarding the return of property to the next of kin
owner
divisional investigator
Police Officers
- When investigating a death resulting from a scuba diving accident shall
request the attendance of the ————–
comply with Procedure 04–23 - When investigating a death where the deceased is found in a bathtub shall record in the memorandum book any of
the following information that apply
- the approximate ——– and ———— (e.g. hot, cold or room temperature) of any ———— present in the bathtub
- the ————— of the body (e.g. supine, prone or some other position)
- which end of the bathtub the ————- was positioned
- whether the body is ———- or dry, including the hair
- whether the head is submerged at least up to and including ——— and nose
- whether the ———–and/or feet show signs of prolonged ————–
- whether there is evidence of ———-in the mouth or nose
- whether the water ————-is engaged
- whether there is evidence to suggest that the deceased may have ——— into the bathtub.
A finding of drowning is rarely based on definitive autopsy findings. Information from the initial ———— is therefore often critical in these cases in determining the cause and manner of death
Marine Unit
- the approximate depth and temperature (e.g. hot, cold or room temperature) of any water present in the
bathtub - the position of the body (e.g. supine, prone or some other position)
- which end of the bathtub the head was positioned
- whether the body is wet or dry, including the hair
- whether the head is submerged at least up to and including mouth and nose
- whether the fingers and/or feet show signs of prolonged immersion
- whether there is evidence of froth in the mouth or nose
- whether the water stopper is engaged
- whether there is evidence to suggest that the deceased may have fallen into the bathtub.
responder
Police Officers
10.When investigating a fatal vehicle collision shall also comply with Procedure 07–03.57
11.When investigating a rail–related attempt suicide or death on railway property shall also comply with Procedure 07–04.
12.When responding to a rail–related attempt suicide or death on TTC property shall
ensure the ———– power is turned off before approaching the track level
comply with Procedure 10–10
make every effort to ———- subway service as soon as practicable
Undue subway delays cause safety concerns and a tremendous inconvenience to the TTC and the public
interview and obtain the name, address and telephone number of all persons present, including the ————-
electrical
restore
train operator
Police Officers
13.When investigating a death on TTC property, upon the direction of the Coroner shall
obtain a ——– from under the platform, place the body and any dismembered parts on the stretcher and remove from public view only after
the ——— has authorized the removal of the body, and
the scene has been ————–, and
a supervisor or ———- has been consulted and authorized the removal of the body
if the body must be moved prior to the scene being photographed, ——– the position of the body
stretcher
Coroner
photographed
detective
outline
