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 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

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

Question 5

The Homicide Section lieutenant, or designee, will be contacted for any death of deaths related to:

Answer 5

1. The death of a person of media interest
2. 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 case report?

Non-resident section officers

Answer 7

Homicide. Patrol will not begin the ICR on homicides or suspicious deaths.

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, and wo will help?

Answer 9

Coroner Investigator

LVMPD will assist the coroner investigator as requested with their investigation.

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 Corner will have it secured.

Question 11

On ALL child related deaths, who will be notified?

Answer 11

The Abuse/Neglect Detail Lieutenant during mon-fri business hours, after that window on-call detective

Question 12

The Abuse/Neglect Detail and/or Homicide Section will respond to child deaths resulting from:

Answer 12

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

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, or disgnee

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)

Question 16

In regards to a response to dead bodies other than homicides, in-custody deaths, and suspicious deaths what will a patrol supervisor do?

Answer 16

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 17

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

Answer 17

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 18

A patrol officer and ________ will be dispatched on all events related to the death of a child.

Answer 18

patrol supervisor

Question 19

Response to Deceased Children - Patrol will:

Answer 19

1. Upon arriving at the scene:
   a. Secure the scene, obtain all contact information from witness(es), family member(s), person reporting and/or suspect(s).
   b. Request a crime scene analyst to respond via radio/phone to dispatcher.
   c. Notify the Abuse/Neglect Detail via Communications or by phone Monday through Friday during business hours. Any death calls during non-operational hours requiring a detective response will be via Communications to the Abuse/Neglect on-call detective.
   d. Maintain the security of the scene, witness(es), family member(s), person reporting, and/or suspect(s) until relieved by Homicide and/or Abuse/Neglect personnel.
   e. Notify Child Protective Services (CPS) of the child death, the preliminary details of the case, and obtain all related CPS history.
   f. Identify any siblings of the victim, their current location and who they are with. Include this information in any detective briefing.

Question 20

Response to Deceased Children at hospital - Patrol will:

Answer 20

1. Upon arrival, when there is a deceased child at the hospital:
   a. Secure the scene (including the residence or location where the incident started), obtain contact information from witness(es), family member(s), person reporting and/or suspect(s).
   b. If requested, allow parents/guardians to leave the residence or location and go to the hospital where their child was taken unless there are clear signs of physical abuse. Any family member requesting to leave and go to the hospital should be identified first. Patrol will contact the responding Abuse/Neglect detective or sergeant if they have questions or concerns.
   c. If the coroner’s office is responding to the hospital, keep the family separate from the child. The coroner investigator and Abuse/Neglect detective will coordinate any visits and transfer of keepsakes. If there are issues with the hospital staff and/or family, contact the responding
   detective or sergeant to advise of circumstances.
   d. In clear cases of abuse, ensure that all parties remain at their initial location of contact. Responding detectives will be briefed as to the location of relevant parties. Consent and cooperation are critical to child death investigations. Professionalism must always be maintained when dealing with the family of a deceased child.
   e. Request a crime scene analyst to respond via radio/phone to dispatcher.
   f. Notify the Abuse/Neglect lieutenant via Communications or by phone Monday through Friday during business hours. Any death calls during non-operational hours requiring a detective response will be via Communications to the Abuse/Neglect on-call detective.
   g. Maintain the security of the scene, witness(es), family member(s), person reporting, and/or suspect(s) until relieved by Abuse/Neglect detectives. In cases where the child victim has been transported to a hospital, the initial detective briefing will occur at the hospital.
   h. If CPS has not been notified yet, advise them of the child death, the preliminary details of the case, and obtain all related CPS history.
   i. Identify any siblings of the victim, their current location and who they are with. Include this information in any detective briefing.

Question 21

Response to Dead Bodies Other Than Homicides, In-Custody Deaths, Suspicious Deaths - Officer will:

Answer 21

1. Upon arriving at the scene, determine the death to be other than a homicide, an in-custody death, or suspicious circumstances, and:
   a. Secure the scene, gather witness(es) and related information.
   b. Notify the coroner’s office via Communications.
   c. For deaths that appear to be natural, coordinate with the coroner investigator to ensure photographs are taken.
   d. Request CSI on all suicides, overdoses and other deaths that are considered “not natural.”
   e. Maintain presence at the scene until no longer needed by the coroner investigator.
   f. Complete the Dead Body Incident Report in P1 by the end of shift. Provide details in the narrative portion as this may be the
   only documentation of the death.

Question 22

Response to Dead Bodies Other Than Homicides, In-Custody Deaths, Suspicious Deaths - Supervisor will:

Answer 22

1. Respond to the scene (unless the death appears to be natural), confirm with the 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 that are considered “not natural.”
   b. Ensure the coroner investigator has been requested.
   1) For deaths that appear to be natural, see Officer, 1c, above.
   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.

Question 23

Response to Homicides and Suspicious Deaths - Officer will:

Answer 23

1. Upon arriving at the scene, determine the death to be suspicious or the result of a homicide, and:
   a. Secure the scene, obtain all contact information from witness(es), family member(s), person reporting and/or suspect(s).
   b. Request a Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) Section analyst to respond via radio/phone to Communications Bureau dispatcher.
   c. Notify the Homicide Section via Communications or by phone Monday through Friday during business hours. Any death calls during non-operational hours requiring a detective response will be made via Communications to the Homicide lieutenant or designee.
   d. Maintain the security of the scene, witness(es), family member(s), person reporting, and/or suspect(s) until relieved by Homicide personnel.
   e. Complete the Major Incident Log (LVMPD 437).
   f. Separate the witnesses and have them complete Voluntary Statements

Question 24

Response to Homicides and Suspicious Deaths - Supervisor will:

Answer 24

1. Respond to the scene, confirm with the patrol officer that 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 25

All personal property at the scene or belonging to the decedent such as identification, money and jewelry will be placed in safekeeping by the

Answer 25

coroner investigator or Public Administrator, not impounded by LVMPD

Question 26

Only the firearm used in an incident (suicide, accidental shooting, etc.) will be impounded as evidence by a

Answer 26

CSA

Question 27

Who may impound other firearms for safekeeping only when a threat to life
or safety exists – notating the justification when doing so – and when the Public Administrator is not available

Answer 27

Patrol officers

Question 28

The ____________ may secure tangible assets of the estate, including firearms

Answer 28

Public Administrator

Question 29

The ____________will not collect any firearms.

Answer 29

coroner investigator