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.
How should clothing material found on the body be handled prior to autopsy?
All clothing material found on the body shall remain intact and be presented to the Medical Examiner’s Office prior to autopsy.
What happens to indoor homicide scenes after initial investigative work is completed?
All indoor homicide scenes shall be sealed until initial investigative work is completed.
Who is responsible for contacting the department, coroner’s office, or emergency care unit upon the death of a terminally ill patient?
The hospice nurse is not required to contact them.
Why may officers be dispatched to a death scene where a hospice nurse has pronounced a patient dead?
To stand by while the nurse removes medication like morphine from the premises.
When do officers who respond to assist at a death scene supervised by a registered nurse employed by hospice complete an electronic case report?
Only if requested to do so by the nurse or a supervisor.
Who should attend the investigative meeting to determine the need for further investigation after gathering preliminary results?
Coroner, deputy coroner, Personal Crimes Section case investigator, Forensic Services Unit employee.
Who should initiate the meeting to organize and prepare the case for court presentation before the trial date?
Personal Crimes Section supervisor.
Who should be included in the meeting to organize and prepare the case for court presentation at least two weeks before the trial date if deemed necessary?
The State Medical Examiner and/or representatives from the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
What should initial responding officers do at suspicious death scenes?
Preserve the crime scene to the best of their abilities.
How should officers establish the crime scene at suspicious death scenes?
Establish an ‘inner’ crime scene and mark it with crime scene/barrier tape.
What is considered a questionable death in Fayette County?
Any death with circumstances that could lead to a criminal investigation.
Who should be called and dispatched to the scene of all homicide investigations in Fayette County?
The Personal Crimes Section and the Forensics Services Unit.
What should be documented for all employees entering the inner crime scene?
Their identity on a Crime Scene Entry Log.
When should the Death Investigation electronic case report be submitted by reporting officers?
As soon as possible and no later than the end of the shift.
Who should not enter the inner crime scene area until evidence collection is completed?
Officers and investigators in close proximity to witnesses or suspects.
Who has the discretion of allowing others to enter the crime scene?
Forensic Services Unit employees and the lead investigator.
