DEATH INVESTIGATIONS 9.11
9.11.1 PURPOSE
9.11.3 PROCEDURE
A. Patrol personnel will respond to all suspicious, accidental or unattended natural deaths. All deaths will be investigated and documented unless the death is natural and attended by a physician, or occurs in a long-term care facility.
B. When death is under suspicious circumstances as a result of violent criminal acts or suicides, in-custody deaths, or suspicion of foul play, the officer shall:
1. Immediately request the shift supervisor respond to the scene--the shift supervisor will contact the Investigation’s supervisor;
2. Secure the scene and use caution so as not to disturb any obvious or latent evidence;
3. If, in the exceptional circumstance of a fire and the deceased’s body has to be moved, officers will note the exact place and position of the body as well as any other pertinent information;
4. Exclude all unauthorized persons from the scene;
5. Identify witness(es) and if necessary, isolate them from the contact of others;
6. Obtain the identifying information of witness(es) and obtain initial statements;
7. During interviews, inquire as to the deceased’s medical history, recent state of mind, financial status and persons with whom the deceased has had recent conflict;
8. The responsibility for the investigation will be assumed by investigating detectives upon their arrival;
9. If the death appears to be the result of violent criminal acts, in-custody deaths, or foul play, ALL responding officers shall complete and submit their report(s) prior to the end of duty.
10. If the death appears to be the result of suicide, only the initial responding officer must complete and submit the required report(s) prior to the end of duty.
C. Under normal circumstances, when death occurs in a Long Term care facility, the officer will NOT respond unless specifically dispatched to do so. However, in the event that an officer is dispatched to a call at a Long term care facility, procedures as outlined under 9.11.3 A. 1. through 8. above shall be followed.
D. When death is from natural causes while in residential care the officer shall:
1. Notify the shift supervisor of the nature of the call;
2. Immediately notify the Medical Examiner’s office and make contact with the on-duty Medical Examiner—the Medical Examiner will either respond to the scene or authorize the release of the remains to a mortuary;
a. if there is evidence the deceased was terminally ill and under a physicians care, enrolled in a hospice program or they provided written medical directives to survivors indicating “DNR” (Do Not Resuscitate), and circumstances are consistent with that information, the officer should not investigate further;
b. If there is indication that a DNR or other advanced directive exists, the officer shall confirm existence prior to departing the scene.
3. The deceased should NOT be left unattended; therefore, officers shall remain on-scene until the arrival of the Medical Examiner or officials from the designated mortuary.
a. If the deceased is left in the care of a family member, care provider or other person in charge, and if authorized by the Medical Examiner, officers may leave the scene prior to the arrival of the Medical Examiner or mortuary officials.
b. This information, to include the name of the person remaining with the deceased, shall be included in the officer’s report.
4. The responding officer shall complete and submit all report(s) prior to the end of duty.
E. Accidental or workplace deaths
1. Accidental deaths will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with the on-duty supervisor to determine if detectives should respond.
2. Workplace deaths, due to accident, require investigation, by statute. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) representatives shall be notified as soon as possible (coordinated with, or completed by the Medical Examiner).
3. The responding officer shall complete and submit all report(s) prior to the end of duty.
9.11.4 NOTIFICATIONS
A. Family notification will generally be the responsibility of the Medical Examiner, unless a request is made otherwise to assist in this duty.
Carla C. Piluso
Chief of Police
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