DEATH SCENE RESPONSE, HANDLING AND REPORTING PROCEDURES

Jonathan D. Greenstein

Facilitator

Jonathan Greenstein Jonathan.greenstein@leo.gov

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.

Upon Arrival at the Scene

If victim is alive: render first aid or obtain medical help. 1. Create a safe path for paramedics to use to reduce destruction of evidence.

2. Obtain a dying declaration, if applicable.

3. Note body position prior to removal from scene and photograph if possible. 4. Assign a Deputy/Officer to accompany victim to the hospital.

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.

Protect the Scene

-Treat all dead body scenes as if homicide until proven otherwise. -Remove all persons (including law enforcement personnel) from the scene as soon as possible and contain the scene. -Protect evidence from alteration or destruction. -Too large of a protected/isolation area contained can be reduced later, but too small an area cannot be enlarged. -Separate and isolate all witnesses. - Initiate crime scene log.

Mode and Means of Death

Attempt to determine the mode of death (homicide, suicide, accidental, etc.) -Conduct a brief interviews of all witnesses. -Make a visual evaluation of the scene.

Identify the Offender

Conduct a brief interview of all witnesses to determine the identity or description of the suspect and possibly his/her probable destination.

Apprehend the Offender

-Immediate action is essential. -Arrest the suspect at the scene, or use assisting unit to locate the suspect. -Initiate radio broadcasts/teletypes identifying or describing the suspect as soon as possible.

-If applicable, establish surveillance of the probable destination of the suspect.

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?