Policy Text
Field Services 1 of 8 7/12 (REV 12/20)
Deaths
The purpose of this Order is to outline the procedures to be followed in handling death
cases
I. General
The death scene is probably the most traumatic call the Patrol Officer must
handle. It varies from a natural or accidental death to a suici de or homicide. The
first officers at the scene may have to deal with emotion ally upset relatives or
friends while attempting to gather information and prese rve the scene. One of
the m ost important things an officer can remember at the death scene is: ALL
DEATH SCENES ARE TO BE TREAT ED AS HOMICIDES UNLESS EVIDENCE
INDICATES OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO SECOND CHANCES TO RECTIFY
AN INCOMPLETE DEATH SCENE INVESTIGATION.
II. Responding To The Scene
Officers should always use common sense and respond according to established
safety procedures. The technique of the response will depend on the information
obtained through Communications or on -scene observations.
A. Has the death just occurred or w as the body just discovered?
B. What is the type of death (natural, accidental, suicide or homicide?)
C. If it is a homicide, is the suspect still at the scene? If not, in what directi on did
the suspect go, and is there any description available?
III. Arrival At The Scene - General Duties
The first Patrol off icer at the scene shall be the Designated Incident Coordinator
(DIC). The DIC shall be responsible for:
A. Taking charge of the scene, touching nothing but the victim to determine if
there are any signs of lif e.
1. If there are signs of life:
a. Administer first aid
b. Call for medical assistance
Field Services 2 of 8 7/12 (REV 12/20) 2. If there are signs of life and the victim is transported, one offic er will
accompany the victim in the ambulance and take note of the following:
a. Ambulance Company
b. Ambulan ce personnel (names, addresses , telephone numbers,
etcetera)
c. Hospital to which the victim is taken
d. Departure time from scene and arrival time at hospital
e. Any statements made by the victim while enroute or at the hospital
f. Medical personnel that treat the victim at the hospital
3. Patrol Officers have the authority to pronounce death, if the death is
obvious.
a. If there is no doubt as to the death, medical personnel can be denied
access to the scene.
b. If there is any doubt, qualified medical personnel s hall be allowed
access to the victim.
c. If medical personn el are allowed to check the victim , and t hey
determine that vital signs MAY exist, Patrol Officers must abide by that
decision and allow transport to a hospital.
d. If the victim is dead, DO NOT move the body or cover it with a blank et
or any other material that may disturb the evidence.
B. Two officers, when possible, are to check the scene for additional victims, or
suspects that may be hiding.
C. Set up a perimeter that is large enough to include all surro unding areas wh ere
evidence may be contained (street, yard, residence, field, etcetera.)
1. Keep in mind that it is better to make the perimeter too large than too
small.
Field Services 3 of 8 7/12 (REV 12/20) 2. Consider the possibility of a smaller perimeter within the la rger perimeter,
to accommodate responding investigative personnel.
D. Secure the scene.
E. Note which officers are at the scene. These notes should include the
following details:
1. Arrival and departure times of all responding investigative personnel.
2. How they entered and exited the scene.
3. Their actions while at the scene.
4. Their purpose at the scene.
F. Interview and obtain information from the complainant, witnesses and all
other s ubjects involved, including emergency service person nel. Attempt to
determi ne the following information:
1. Identity of the victim, including name, address, date of birth, relatives,
etcetera.
2. Names, addresses and telephone numbers (business and residential) of
all subjects involved.
3. Their actions, obse rvations and what they may have touched at the scene.
4. Their method of entry and exit from the scene.
G. Attempt to ascertain the physical, mental and emotional state of the victim
prior to death and if the victim was under any professional care (psychiatric or
medical.)
H. Using the above information, attempt to determine the type of death. If the
type of death can be determined, then follow the procedures outlined for the
specific type of death. IF THE TYPE OF DEATH CANNOT BE
DETERMINED, THE SCENE WILL BE TREATED AS A HOMICIDE.
IV. Natural Deaths
Patrol Officers will not respond to natural death scenes. EXCEPTION: An officer
will respond if the victim is less than 18 years of age and not in a medical facility
at the time of death. Upon arrival at such a scene, the officer shall:
A. Notify a Patrol supervisor of the circumstances.
B. Advise Communications to notify the coroner.
C. Complete the investigation and do a detailed Casualty report.
Field Services 4 of 8 7/12 (REV 12/20)
V. Accidental Deaths