Policy Text
Policy Delano Police Department
329 Delano PD Policy Manual
Death Investigation
329.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The investigations of cases involving death include those ranging from natural cause to homicide.
Some causes of death may not be readily apparent and some cases differ substantially from what
they appeared to be initially. The thoroughness of death investigations cannot be emphasized
enough.
329.2 INVESTIGATION CONSIDERATIONS
Death investigation cases require certain actions be taken. Paramedics shall be called in all
suspected death cases unless the death is obvious (e.g., decapitated, decomposed). A supervisor
shall be notified in all death investigations.
329.2.1 CORONER REQUEST
Government Code § 27491 and Health & Safety Code § 102850 direct the Coroner to inquire
into and determine the circumstances, manner and cause of certain deaths. The Coroner shall
be called in any of the following cases:
(a) Unattended deaths (No physician in attendance or during the continued absence of
the attending physician. Also, includes all deaths outside hospitals and nursing care
facilities).
(b) Deaths where the deceased has not been attended by either a physician or a
registered nurse, who is a member of a hospice care interdisciplinary team, as defined
by Health and Safety Code § 1746 in the 20 days prior to death.
(c) Physician unable to state the cause of death. Unwillingness does not apply. Includes
all sudden, unexpected and unusual deaths and fetal deaths when the underlying
cause is unknown.
(d) Known or suspected homicide.
(e) Known or suspected suicide.
(f) Involving any criminal action or suspicion of a criminal act. Includes child and
dependent adult negligence and abuse.
(g) Related to or following known or suspected self-induced or criminal abortion.
(h) Associated with a known or alleged rape or crime against nature.
(i) Following an accident or injury (primary or contributory). Deaths known or suspected
as resulting (in whole or in part) from or related to accident or injury, either old or recent.
(j) Drowning, fire, hanging, gunshot, stabbing, cutting, starvation, exposure, alcoholism,
drug addiction, strangulation or aspiration.
(k) Accidental poisoning (food, chemical, drug, therapeutic agents).
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/06, All Rights Reserved. Death Investigation - 1
Published with permission by Delano Police Department