Policy Text
Ref: CALEA
Standards 42.2.2;
61.2.3 DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL ORDER H-2 Rev.
18 Jun 99
Index as: Deceased Persons, Property of Property of Deceased Persons
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PROPERTY OF DECEASED PERSONS
The purpose of this order is to set forth procedures for securing the body and
possessions of deceased persons during death investigations.
I. PROTECTING THE BODY OF THE DECEASED
A. The assigned member shall remain with the body, always keeping it
in view, unless the body can be secured, to prevent unauthorized
persons from approaching or disturbing the deceased and his/her possessions.
B. If suspicious circumstances are involved, the member shall cause the Homicide Section to be notified.
C. When the coroner arrives, the member shall release the body and property to him/her and obtain a receipt for the property.
D. If suspicious circumstances are involved and the coroner arrives at the scene before a Departmental investigator, the assigned member shall ask the coroner not to disturb the scene or remove the body until the investigator arrives.
II. SEARCHING THE DECEASED
A. Normally, the coroner will search the deceased upon assuming custody of the body. The corone r will prepare a receipt for the
person’s belongings and give the assigned member a copy, which shall be attached to the Departmental report.
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER H-2 Rev.
18 Jun 99 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
B. If the coroner requests the assigned member to sign the receipt as a
party or witness to the search, the member shall not do so unless
both of the following conditions are met: 1. The member was present and observed the search, and
2. The member is satisfied that the search was thorough (pockets turned inside out, all cash counted, jewelry described) and that the receipt lists everything found or removed.
C. In the event that a deceased person must be identified before the
coroner’s arrival, the assigned member shall contact the coroner’s
office and request permission to search the deceased.
1. If the coroner grants permission , the assigned member shall
conduct the search in the presence of a disinterested witness
or another member.
2. The member shall make a thorough search and a complete list of everything found on or removed from the deceased.
3. The member shall include in his/her report the name of the coroner who gave permission to search.
4. After the coroner arrives and takes custody of the deceased, the member shall obtain a copy of the coroner’s property receipt to submit with the Departmental report.
III. MOVING THE DECEASED
A. In the event that a deceased person must be moved before the coroner’s arrival, the member shall obtain permission from the Coroner’s Office, and inform his/her supervisor, prior to moving the deceased.
B. The assigned member shall ensure photographs of the deceased are
taken prior to the movement.
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER H-2 Rev.
18 Jun 99 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
C. The member shall include the reason for the movement, the name of
the photographer, and if applicable, the name of the coroner who gave permission to move the body, in his/her report.
By order of
Joseph Samuels, Jr. Chief of Police
GO44/H-2
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