4.162 Dispatch of Units on 421 (Sick or Injured Person Calls) and Natural Deaths

Question 1

When advised of a Homicide or Suspicious Death, what are the responsibilities of the Patrol Supervisor?

Answer 1

The Patrol Supervisor will:

1. Respond to the scene, confirm with the patrol officer the death appears to be suspicious or the result of a homicide, and:
   a. Ensure crime scene analyst(s) have been requested.
   b. Ensure detectives from Homicide have been notified.

Question 2

When advised of a dead body call (other than a homicide, suspicious death or an in-custody death), what are the responsibilities of the Patrol Supervisor?

Answer 2

The Patrol Supervisor will:

1. Respond to the scene (unless the death appears to be natural), confirm with patrol officer the death is not suspicious or the result of a homicide:

a. Ensure crime scene analyst(s) have been requested on all suicides, overdoses and other  
    deaths which are considered "not natural".

b. Ensure the Deputy Coroner investigator has been requested.

c. Ensure the Dead Body Incident Report is complete and detailed on all death events, as this 
    may be the only documentation of the death.

    d. When detectives from Homicide respond to the scene and assume investigative responsibility, 
         the detective(s) will complete the case reports.

Question 3

In regards to a response to dead body Resident Section a supervisor will do?

Answer 3

Supervisor will:

1. Respond to the scene only when requested by the on-scene resident officer.
2. When detectives from Homicide respond to the scene AND assume investigative responsibility, they confer with the responding officer and supervisor to determine who will complete the Dead Body Incident Report.

Question 4

In response to deceased children a patrol supervisor will do?

Answer 4

Supervisor will:

1. Respond to the scene:
   a. Ensure crime scene analyst(s) has been requested.
   b. Ensure Homicide and/or Abuse/Neglect has been requested.

Question 5

The Homicide Section lieutenant, or designee, will be contacted for what types of deaths?

Answer 5

1. The death of a person of media interest
2. Child deaths related to physical violence
3. The death of an LVMPD employee or family member

Question 6

What are the manners of death, as defined by the Clark County Coroner’s Officer?

Answer 6

1. Natural
2. Accidental
3. Homicide
4. Suicide
5. Undetermined

Question 7

When Homicide Detectives respond to the scene and assume investigative responsibility, who will complete the dead body report?

Answer 7

The decision will be made after detectives confer with the responding officer and supervisor.

Question 8

Can the Dead Body Incident Report be used to document a Homicide?

Answer 8

NO

The Dead Body Incident Report will NOT be used to document a Homicide.

Question 9

Who is responsible for investigating all deaths that are NOT determined to be a Homicide, Suspicious Death or an In-Custody Death?

Answer 9

The Clark County Deputy Coroner Investigator

Question 10

Who will secure the structure on a dead body call?

Answer 10

If Officers damaged the structure, they will secure it. If not, the Deputy Corner will have it secured.

Question 11

On ALL child related deaths, who will be notified?

Answer 11

The Abuse/Neglect Detail Lieutenant, or Designee

Question 12

The Homicide Section and/or Abuse/Neglect Detail will respond to what type of child deaths?

Answer 12

1. Non-Accidental
2. An intentional act
3. Blunt force trauma, abusive head trauma and “shaken” baby syndrome
4. Medical Neglect

Question 13

An in-custody death is defined as the death of a person:

Answer 13

1. Who is under arrest.
2. Who is an inmate housed at CCDC, North Valley Complex or Medical Facility.
3. Has been contacted or detained by officers and during the contact the death occurs.

Question 14

Who will be notified on ALL in-custody deaths?

Answer 14

The FIT Section Lieutenant

Question 15

Crime Scene Investigators will be requested on all of the following type of dead body calls:

Answer 15

1. Homicide
2. Suspicious death
3. Suicide
4. Overdose
5. Other deaths that are considered “not natural” (i.e. accidental)