Policy Text
POLICY
154.0HOMICIDE
REVISED: 11/2011 RELATED POLICIES:
Reviewed by Chief David Magnusson
4/2019
A.The first officer will:
1.Survey the scene and protect it until relieved.
2.Check the body for signs of life.
3.If alive or any doubt exists as to the possibility of life, proceed with first aid.
4.If dead, the officer on the scene may pronounce the victim dead.
5.The shift supervisor will be notified and respond to the scene.
6.If the officer is comfortable with his decision, and MIAMI-DADE FIRE
RESCUE then arrives, the officer can refuse MIAMI-DADE FIRE RESCUE
admittance to examine the body.
7.If for some reason MIAMI-DADE FIRE RESCUE is permitted to examine the
body, MIAMI-DADE FIRE RESCUE Personnel are not to search the scene or
move about the scene for any reason; only officers will do this.
8.The officer will record name and unit number of MIAMI-DADE FIRE RESCUE
Personnel for his report.
9.All deaths will be handled as homicides unless the officer is reasonably satisfied
the death is natural.
B.Notify the Chief of Police or his/her designee and Miami Dade Police Homicide Squad in
the event of any violent or unexplained death, and police involved shooting with injury or
death, and any officer who is a shooting victim.
C.The first officer will note the names and times of arrival of additional officers.
D.All officers at the scene will prepare a supplement including:
1.Where they walked
2.What they touched
3.If any evidence required moving, mark the area moved from
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4.If possible, leave weapons alone until Homicide Detectives arrive, if weapon must
be moved, follow evidence procedures for loaded weapons.
5.Note any perishable evidence such as odor, moisture, wet floor prints, etc.
E.Restrict all unnecessary persons.
F.All persons entering the scene will supplement their reasons for being there and the
actions taken by them.
G.Isolate as large a crime scene as possible under the circumstances.
H.Call of additional assistance/equipment as required.
I.Prevent the removal, disturbance, rearrangement, or concealment of physical evidence.
J.If the body must be moved (still alive) mark the exact location and note position.
K.Keep the victim(s) and perpetrator(s), and relatives of both, separated until each can
make a statement to the police.
L.Any deviation from these procedures will be reported promptly to the Chief of Police or
his/her designee.
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