Policy Text
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GENERAL ORDER
TITLE ACCREDITATION
Strangulation Investigations CALEA 42.2.1
PRIOR REVISIONS
N/A
PROPONENT UNIT
Criminal Investigations Division
ATTACHMENT:
- Signs and Symptoms of
Strangulation Diagram
NUMBER ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGES
40.30 07/21/2020 New 4
I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this order is to provide Department members with a set of
procedures for investigating and reporting incidents involving strangulation. This policy should
be used in conjunction with other applicable policies such as General Order 40.6 Domestic
Violence Investigations and General Order 40.1 Sexual Battery / Sexual Violence Investigations
II. DISCUSSION: The Gainesville Police Department recognizes that strangulation has been
identified as one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence and there exists a high likelihood
of increased violence and research based correlation with domestic homicide. When domestic
violence perpetrators strangle their victims unconsciousness may occur within seconds and
death within minutes. Strangulation is an extreme form of power and control. The perpetrator
demonstrates control over the victim’s breathing which can have devastating psychological
effects or a potentially fatal outcome.
III. POLICY: The Gainesville Police Department shall thoroughly investigate incidents of
strangulation to protect its victims and provide them with support services. To promote member
safety and to reduce the incidence and severity of these crimes, the Department shall prepare
its members to respond to and effectively deal with domestic violence and dating violence calls
for service.
When investigating incidents of strangulation members should consider that sober and
conscious victims will experience terror and severe pain. If strangulation continues, victims will
usually resist violently, often producing injuries to the neck. In addition, the victim may claw at
the offender’s face and neck or hands producing injuries to their batterer. If the victim is
chemically or physically restrained, or intoxicated before strangulation occurs defensive injuries
may not be present
IV. DEFINITIONS:
Strangulation: Any restriction of breathing, blocking of the arteries in the neck (depriving the
brain of oxygen), blocking of jugular veins (preventing deoxygenated blood from exiting the
brain), closing of the airway, or disruption of breathing.
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GENERAL ORDER
Department members should recognize that strangulation can come in different forms such as
sitting on the chest of a victim, and smothering.
V. PROCEDURE:
A. Investigating Strangulation: Members initially assigned to investigate a case involving
strangulation shall thoroughly and properly conduct an investigation.
Members shall look for and document the following signs of strangulation:
1. Red eyes or spots / Petechiae (may be found under the eyelid)
2. Neck swelling
3. Nausea or vomiting
4. Unsteady on their feet
5. Loss or lapse of memory
6. Urination
7. Defecation
8. Loss of consciousness
9. Droopy eye lids (Ptosis)
10. Droopy face
11. Seizure
12. Tongue injury
13. Lip injury
14. Voice changes
15. Mood changes
B. Members shall determine and document the following symptoms of strangulation:
1. Neck pain
2. Jaw pain
3. Scalp pain
4. Sore throat
5. Difficulty breathing
6. Difficulty swallowing
7. Vision changes (spots, tunnel vision, flashing)
8. Hearing changes
9. Light headedness
10. Headache
11. Weakness in extremities
C. Please refer to the Signs and Symptoms diagram.
D. Medical Treatment: The victim should be encouraged to seek medical attention if they
are pregnant or experiencing the following symptoms: difficulty breathing, loss of
consciousness, difficulty swallowing, petechial hemorrhage, vision changes, uncontrolled
urination or defecation. These symptoms could potentially indicate a life-threatening injury.
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GENERAL ORDER
E. Delayed Consequences: Department members shall inform the victim of delayed
consequences. Members shall inform the victim that internal injuries located beneath the
skin not visible to the naked eye may exist and cause complications. Internal injuries may
take a few hours to develop swelling, bruising, vocal cord, immobility, fractures, airway
obstruction, stroke, and even death from carotid dissection, blood clot, respiratory
complications, or brain damage.
F. Changing / developing injury: Documentation by photographs sequentially for a period
of days is necessary as injuries may take time to become visible. Original officers shall
ensure initial photographs are taken. When feasible follow-up photographs shall be
coordinated by detectives. Use of the UV/IR camera along with follow up photographs is the
recommended course of action.
G. Support Services: Department members shall attempt to immediately connect victims to
local support services, such as the Peaceful Paths Domestic Violence Helpline. The
department member shall consider requesting a Victim Advocate, if appropriate, to help
mitigate any safety concerns and to address the needs of the victim. Please refer to General
Order 40.6 Domestic Violence Investigations and 40.1 Sexual Battery / Sexual Violence
Investigations for guidance.
________________________
By Order of
Signed Original on File in the
Accreditation Unit
________________________
Tony R. Jones
Chief of Police
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GENERAL ORDER
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