Death Investigations Flashcards
First officer to arrive to a reported death will attempt to;
determine signs of life and NFD should be notified. Officer should provide medical assitance until NFD arrival.
Even if positive/obvious signs of death the officer still should;
have NFD respond to pronounce death (PO’s are not qualified to pronounce death and the ME’s Office cannot respond without a pronouncement of death).
First officer as scene should preserve and secure the scene and remove/prevent “Unnecessary” people from entering such as;
Family, onlookers, PO’s not relevant to the investigation (regardless of rank).
If death has been determined the body will not be moved or searched by anyone other than?
The Medical Examiner’s Office
For a determination of a Natural Death and no suspicious circumstances the officer will;
notify the STS, contact NFD to pronounce death, determine if deceased was under doc’s care so they can sign off on death cert (as long as there’s no suspicious circumstances). So the treating physician may authorize the release to a funeral home.
For a determination of a Natural Death and no suspicious circumstances what will be a circumstance the ME’s Office will be notified and will assume jurisdiction?
If the deceased has not recently been under a doctors car OR if the physician refuses to sign off on the death certificate.
If Determination of Homicide; Protect and secure the scene, call for a supervisor and after arrival, NFD personnel should be allowed to?
View the body for pronouncing death. Then escorted out in a pre-determined path so as not to disturb the scene. Gather the names of NFD to enter into the report.
If Determination of Homicide; The OIC will make notifications in order of priority as follows;
CID Captain, Chief, Patrol Captain, BCI Officer.
Who is responsible for notifying the ME’s office at the scene?
The primary Officer.
If Determination of Suicide, Accidental, or Infant Death; the death will be investigated as with;
all the requirements of a Homicide death procedure. For in infant death, the RI Infant Death Investigation Check list will be completed by CID when appropriate.
With a serious assault that may result in death, what procedure of death will be followed and what will at least 1 officer do in regards to medical transport?
The procedure will be the same as a Homicide Determinations and at least 1 officer will accompany the victim to the hospital.
Supervisors responsibilities at a death scene are?
On arrival assume control of the scene. Determine the appropriate notifications. Ensure the security/preservation of the scene. Ensure a Crime Scene entry sheet is kept of all personnel entering/exiting. And ensure a Log of events is instituted (ie. CID notified, ME notified…)
CID responsibilities at a death scene are?
CID supervisor will assume command for the investigation, PO’s will fall under the command of CID supervisor regardless of rank. Ensure preservation of the crime scene, ID of witness, and exclusion of non-essential personnel from the scene.
Who controls the evidence off the body and who controls the evidence on the body?
Off the body (ie. weapons (no mater on or off body), projectiles) by BCI to transport to ME’s for autopsy if needed. On/in the body (ie…projectile, clothing) controlled by ME and turned over to BCI Officer or CID at autopsy.
