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Death Scene Response, Handling and Reporting Procedures, (Outline) by Jonathan Greenstein
Death Scene Response, Handling and Reporting Procedures, (Outline) by Jonathan Greenstein
Death Scene Response, Handling and Reporting Procedures, (Outline) by Jonathan Greenstein
Jonathan D. Greenstein
Facilitator
Disclaimer
The following information is a general informational presentation and is not intended to replace formal and structured crime scene response training. Refer to departmental guidelines where there exists questions or conflicting information.
If Deceased
If victim is dead: document date and time that death observation was made. 1. Dont touch the body, even to identify it. a. Exception: examine the body if the death was natural and doctor will sign the death certificate. b. Exception: traffic accident death, search the body for organ donor card. 2. Protect the body from public and media view, if possible. a. Move on-lookers rather than covering the body and contaminating evidence.
Search
Conduct a prompt, warrantless search of the interior of the scene pursuant to Mincey- v- Arizona for: 1. Additional victims. 2. Suspects.
Conduct a brief interview of all witnesses to determine the identity or description of the suspect and possibly his/her probable destination.
If by Uniformed Officers
-As a general rule, do not advise suspect of his Constitutional Rights or interrogate. -Document all spontaneous statements made by the suspect, verbatim. -Have suspect transported to the station, alone, by an assisting unit. -Secure any possible items of evidence from the suspect: Bloody clothing. Gunshot Residue (general rule: up to six hours). If applicable, conduct field show-up. If applicable, impound the suspects vehicle.
Notifications
-Patrol/Bureau Supervisors. -Homicide Bureau The mode of death (homicide, suicide, accidental, etc.) will determine the type of Homicide Bureau response. The type of incident will determine the type of Homicide Bureau response: Gang murder. Officer Involved Shooting, on-duty, off-duty.
Documentation
Take notes. Not enough can be said about detailed and accurate note taking at the scene. It is from these notes that reports are born.
Incident Report
The report should contain the following information: The time and date that you arrived. The position of the victim and the location in which you observed him/her. Your observations as to the certainty of death, including the date and exact time, or The names of the Fire Department/EMS personnel present at the scene and the name of the paramedic who pronounced the victim dead, including the date and exact time, or The names and unit number of the ambulance that transported the victim to a hospital and the name of the medical doctor who pronounced the victim dead, including the date and time.
The name of the informant, i.e., the person who notified authorities (do not name witnesses in the complaint report or describe their statements, but do so in the Supplementary Report).
The name and address of the victim (if the name is unknown, describe him, including his clothing and visible scars, marks, or tattoos). If the suspect is in custody, name him. The name of the person notified in Homicide Bureau, and when. The assigned Coroners case number.
The name of the Homicide investigator who arrived to take charge of the investigation, and when.
The name of the Coroners investigator who arrived to take charge of the victims remains, and when.
Describe all other activity, statements, evidence, and/or facts in the Supplementary Report.
Questions/Comments?