Policy Text
Page 1 of 8 General Order 7-9 (02/28/23 )
DEATH INVESTIGATION REPORTING , NOTIFI CATION OF DEATH AND
EMERGENCY MESSAGES
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: DEATH INVESTIGATION REPORTING,
NOTIFICATION OF DEATH AND EMERGENCY
MESSAGES
Chapter
7 Number
9 # Pages
8
Standards: CALEA 22.1.5 , 55.2.6 , 81.2.10 Related Orders: G.O. 3 -12,
Handling of Property and
Evidence, G.O. 08 -03 Crash
Investigations Reporting Effective Date: 08/28/2023
Revised By: Review
Prv. Rev. Date: 08/14/18
Chief of Police :
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to establish the policy and procedure for handling death
investigation calls and notification of the next of kin in death situations , traffic fatalities,
serious bodily injuries and illnesses . This directive consists of duties and responsibilities
for members of the Richmond Police Department . [CALEA 81.2.10]
II. SUMMARY OF CHANGE
This policy is up for triannual review . Language has been omitted as it relates to a
decedent’s property. Procedures for notifying the next -of-kin have been updated. Other
jurisdiction request procedures has bee n updated. The specific changes to this directive
are noted in bold italicized text throughout the document.
III. POLICY
A. It is the policy of the Richmond Police Department to complete an Incident Based
Report (IBR) to include the Death Investigation tab on page 2 on all death
investigations. It is also the policy of the Department to notify the Office of the
Medical Examiner (M.E.) regarding any death investigation , regardless of the cause.
In death situations resulting from traffic fatalities and instances of serious bodily injury
and illness , the M.E. will be notified and notification of the next of kin will be made by
the Richmond Police Department . [CALEA 81.2.10]
B. When members of the Richmond Polic e Department are called to a death investigation,
it is important to remember that the body of a deceased individual (decedent) is the
property of the M.E.’s Office.
IV. ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
All employees are expected to fully comply with the guidelines an d timelines set forth in
this general order. Responsibility rests with the Division Commander to ensure that any
Page 2 of 8 General Order 7-9 (02/28/23 )
DEATH INVESTIGATION REPORTING, NOTIFICATION OF DEATH AND
EMERGENCY MESSAGES violations of policy are investigated and appropriate training, counseling and/or
disciplinary action is initiated.
This directive is for in ternal use only, and does not enlarge an employee’s civil liability
in any way. It should not be construed as the creation of a higher standard of safety or
case in an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party claims. Violation of this directive,
if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this Department, and then only a
non-judicial administrative setting.
V. DEFINITION
NEXT -OF-KIN – The decedent’s presumed legal spouse, child over 18 years of age,
custodial parent, non -custodial parent , sibling s over 18 years of age, appointed legal
guardian of a minor child, appointed legal guardian of minor siblings and/or those
entitled to take responsibility under statutory distribution of estates.
DEATH INVESTIGATION TURNDOWN – A situation occurri ng when the Medical
Examiner has determined that an autopsy will not be performed and has given the officer
on-scene permission to release the decedent to the next -of-kin.
VI. PROCEDURE
A. Initial Contact:
Upon initial contact with any victim , if there is any do ubt whatsoever as to whether or
not that person is alive, Department members shall seek medical attention for the victim
as soon as possible.
B. Guidelines for Any Death Investigation :
1. Prior to calling the M.E., the o fficer shall complete the Death Investigat ion IBR tab .
During non -business hours, the M.E. operator will receive messages and locate the
M.E.
2. For cases accepted by the Medical Examiner’s Officer (M.E.) or for any follow up
information requested by them, the assigned detective or detective superv isor will
forward them a copy of the investigation.
3. Members of the Richmond Police Department are not to move or disturb the
decedent without authorization from the M.E.’s office unless exigent circumstances
exist, and/or the detective supervisor approv es the m ovement of the decedent
without authorization from the M.E.’s office . All movement activity shall be
documented in the detective’s narrative.
4. Department members will not remove any property of any nature from the decedent
without approval from th e M.E.’s office unless exigent circumstances exist. All
property removal activity shall be documented in the report narrative.
5. All medications, identification , and personal effects shall be sent with the body .
Page 3 of 8 General Order 7-9 (02/28/23 )
DEATH INVESTIGATION REPORTING, NOTIFICATION OF DEATH AND
EMERGENCY MESSAGES 6. The reporting officer may be requested to pho tograph the decedent and all the
property located