Death scene investigations Flashcards
What is the purpose of G.O. 2015-04A?
To delineate the responsibilities of department employees in death scene investigations.
When should department officers complete a Death Investigation case report?
During the investigation of any death outside a medical facility or when directed.
What should the first officer arriving at a death scene ensure?
That Fire and Emergency Services are dispatched if not already on scene.
What should officers do upon locating an apparent deceased individual?
Use methods they are trained in to determine signs of life.
Who is responsible for determining death and notifying the coroner?
Emergency Care personnel (EC).
What is the primary responsibility of the first officer at a death scene?
Protecting the death scene until relieved by a supervisor or FSU employees.
When should a supervisor be dispatched to a death scene?
E911 should be requested to dispatch a supervisor to all death scenes.
Who should guard any weapon discovered at a crime scene?
The officer protecting the scene or another designated officer.
What actions should be taken with discovered weapons at a crime scene?
If possible, weapons should not be handled, moved, or removed except by FSU employees.
What should EC personnel be instructed to do at a death scene?
Not to ‘clean up’ the scene and preserve evidence without altering it.
Who should prepare and forward necessary laboratory submissions to the Kentucky State Police Laboratory in a death investigation?
The lead investigator, after consultation with a Forensic Services Unit employee.
When can evidence be released to any person or agency in a death investigation?
Evidence shall not be released without authorization from the coroner’s office, except for entering items as evidence in a court of law.
What information is the coroner’s office responsible for releasing to the media in a death investigation?
Information pertaining to cause of death, manner of death, victim’s identity, and time of death.
When can the manner of death information be released to the media in a death investigation?
Only after conferring with the Personal Crimes Section investigator and ensuring it won’t hinder an ongoing criminal investigation.
Who should coordinate press conferences related to a death investigation?
Both the police department and Fayette County Coroner.
What should happen immediately after completing media releases from the coroner’s office or police department?
The releases should be exchanged between the two offices by fax or email.
Who should coordinate with the Personal Crimes Section supervisor or lead investigator before any news release in a death investigation?
The PIO (Public Information Officer) or other designated employee.
Who should attend autopsies associated with any investigation?
A Forensic Services Unit employee.
What should be done with the autopsy report after attending an autopsy in a death investigation?
Forwarded to the coroner’s office, who will then send a copy to the Personal Crimes Section for a permanent file.
When can the autopsy report be released by the department in a death investigation?
Autopsy results and reports will be released by the coroner’s office after the case is closed.
Who is responsible for notifying next of kin in a death investigation?
The coroner’s office is responsible for notifying next of kin.
When can the scene of a death investigation be altered or released?
The scene may be altered or released upon agreement by the case investigators involved.
What should be done before searching a death scene at a non-public location?
It is preferred to obtain a search warrant before searching a non-public death scene.
What role does the Forensics Services Unit play in evidence collection?
They are responsible for photographing, video recording, and collecting evidence at the scene.
