Death in Police Custody 04-16

Question 1

Which officer must attend a death in police custody

Answer 1

A supervisory officer

Question 2

Who is in charge of the collection of evidence in a death in custody, under the SIU Mandate

Answer 2

Immediate preservation of the scene and all evidence from contamination or deterioration, proper collection and analysis of evidence by Specialized Criminal Investigations – Forensic Identification Services (FIS),

Question 3

Who performs the investigation of a death in police custody?
SIU
Homicide
FIS

Answer 3

Specialized Criminal Investigations – Homicide will ensure that the facts surrounding the death are uncovered and may help prevent similar deaths from occurring.

Question 4

Who is notified to attend a death in police custody,and who notifies them

Answer 4

The supervisory officer notifies
− an investigator from Homicide
− an investigator from FIS
− the Coroner

Question 5

Who is notified by a supervisory officer regarding a death in custody

Answer 5

The officer in charge, and the officer in charge of TPOC

Question 6

Upon arrival at the scene of an in–custody death, in addition to complying with unit–specific guidelines who shall take charge of the investigation and confer with the attending Coroner at the scene

Answer 6

Detective – Specialized Criminal Investigations – Homicide

Question 7

When notified of a death in police custody who shall ensure the attendance of the following

− an investigator from Homicide
− an investigator from FIS
− the Coroner

Answer 7

The officer in charge

Question 8

Who performs forensic investigations when there is a death in police custody

Answer 8

The SIU and FIS run parallel forensic investigations when there is a death in police
custody

Question 9

Who does TPOC OIC notify about a death in police custody

Answer 9

Notify the Chief’s SIU Designate and the appropriate

Deputy Chief of Police,