Policy Text
Centralized Investigations Page 1 of 2 2/04.0 (REV 2/03)
HOMICIDE DETAIL
The purpose of this order is to outline the duties and responsi bilities of the Homicide
Detail. I. Responsibilities
A. Homicides and assaults with intent to commit homicide when d eath of the
victim is likely.
B. Deaths of a suspicious natur e including children over the ag e of 14.
Suspicious deaths of children u nder age 14 are investigated by the Child
Abuse Detail. The Homicide Deta il may be called upon to assist or take
over responsibility for the inve stigation based on special or u nique
circumstances (see Exceptions below).
C. Criminally-related or suspi cious deaths occurring within the Sacramento
County corrections system.
D. Officer/employee involved in mate deaths (see General Order 7 /04,
Paragraph V).
E. Sheriff’s Department or alli ed agency officer-involved shoot ings resulting
in injury or death wit hin the unincorporated area of Sacramento County or
any jurisdiction in which the S heriff’s Department provides con tract law
enforcement services. Homicide detectives may be assigned to mo nitor
the investigation of a Sheriff’ s Department officer-involved sh ooting in
another jurisdiction.
F. A kidnapping (with no other related crime involved such as d omestic
violence) where there is reason to believe the victim is in imm inent danger
of serious bodily injury or death and is still missing. Kidnapp ing of a child
under the age of 14 in situations w here the victim has been loc ated or
returned shall be investigated by the Child Abuse Detail. Child abduction
cases (Sections 277 – 280 PC) s hall be investigated by the Dist rict
Attorney’s Child Abduction Unit.
Centralized Investigations Page 2 of 2 2/04.0 (REV 2/03)
II. Exceptions
A. Detail supervisors, bureau co mmanders, and the division comm ander
have the discretion to consider the unique circumstances of ind ividual
cases and may tailor an approach t hat may be contrary to this o rder, but
better serves the needs of the department, the community, and t he victim.
III. Missing Persons
A. The Homicide Detail sergeant i s responsible for supervision of the Missing
Persons Detail and coordinates t he investigation of all missing juveniles
and adults.
IV. Detail Supervisor Responsibilities
A. Ensure the bureau comm ander is notified and updated.
B. After hours calls from field per sonnel in the event of a sus picious death or
homicide.
C. Coordination of all case assi gnments. Ensure complete and th orough
follow-up investigations.
D. Presenting officer-involved s hooting incidents to executive staff.
V. Detective Responsibilities
A. Ensure the detail supervis or is notified and updated.
B. Request the necessary ID work as applicable. C. Notify the Coroner and other forensic specialists.