Death Investigation: A Guide for the Scene Investigator - National ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

xxiv procedures developed by the panel constitute a baseline protocol that should serve to support and direct the efforts of all of us who work in this field. Because each death has profound implications for family and friends, and because each investigation ultimately has financial, legal, and societal implications, we can take satisfaction in knowing that standards now exist for death investigators across the country, which, when followed, will yield comprehensive, high-quality death-scene investigations. Commentary Elaine R. Meisner Logan County Coroner Sterling, Colorado As a member of the Colorado Coroners’ Association, it is with a great deal of pride and sense of accomplishment that I have been their representative on the National Medicolegal Review Panel for death investigation guidelines. In the rural areas, the importance and necessity of thorough and proper death investigations have not always been thought of as an area of much importance, not so much by the agencies doing the investigations, but by the agencies who financially support them. As a lifelong resident of a rural community, I value and appreciate the importance and need of a thorough and proper death investigation. These guidelines have been long awaited by many death investigators across the country. The National Medicolegal Review Panel has worked hard to develop a sound, well-described set of death investigation guidelines. Today, the modern range of knowledge is much greater, techniques are precise and specialized. These methodically well-planned guidelines were much needed to ensure and maintain uniformity and to help decrease chance for error. This has been a unique experience with the display of utmost professionalism and collaboration by committee members. Without the unstinting cooperation and help of all concerned, it would have been impossible to finish this project. It is in the best interests of death investigators nationwide to utilize these appropriately developed guidelines for the purpose of improving death investigations and for other agencies to properly support them.
Commentary Thomas J. O’Loughlin Chief of Police Wellesley, Massachusetts The proposed Death Investigation: A Guide for the Scene Investigator has been developed with the input of members of the various and many disciplines that are involved in the investigation of sudden and unexpected deaths. The investigation of the death of another human being is a weighty responsibility. It has been a pleasure to represent and serve the interests of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in participating in the development of Death Investigation: A Guide for the Scene Investigator. As a police officer and chief of police, I am well aware of the multifaceted and multidisciplinary approach that is necessary in many of these investigations. As professionals, we are all aware of investigations that have been met with professional success and those that have been, unfortunately, less than professional. As important as the actual performance of the investigative procedures is an understanding of the diverse and mutual responsibilities held by involved and participating professionals. Death Investigation: A Guide for the Scene Investigator will provide standardized procedures so that each and every participant in the death-scene investigation will have a clear and concise understanding of the professionally accepted standards and procedures necessary in conducting a death-scene investigation. In the long term, it is the expected goal that each of the participants within the death investigation process will meet these established professional standards and their obligation to fulfill their responsibilities in a competent and professional manner. xxv
Page 1 and 2: U.S. Department of Justice Office o
Page 3 and 4: National Guidelines A Guide for for
Page 5 and 6: Message From the Attorney General T
Page 7 and 8: vi International Association of Cor
Page 9 and 10: viii The Director of NIJ, the Honor
Page 11 and 12: x Introduction ....................
Page 13 and 14: Foreword: Commentaries on the Need
Page 15 and 16: the tremendous importance of medico
Page 17 and 18: With many of the deaths today havin
Page 19 and 20: The creation of guidelines for medi
Page 21 and 22: Commentary Mary Lou Kearns, R.N., M
Page 23: I would encourage the adoption and
Page 27 and 28: Introduction “Is it [death invest
Page 29 and 30: The following groups were formed fo
Page 31 and 32: The educational backgrounds of the
Page 33 and 34: defense needs, the technique is use
Page 35 and 36: Training Guidelines The purpose of
Page 37 and 38: Medicolegal Death Investigation Gui
Page 39 and 40: 14 29. Pocketknife. 30. Shoe-covers
Page 41 and 42: 16 1. Introduce and Identify Self a
Page 43 and 44: 18 3. Confirm or Pronounce Death Su
Page 45 and 46: 20 6. Establish Chain of Custody Pr
Page 47 and 48: Documenting and Evaluating the Scen
Page 49 and 50: C. Describe scene environments incl
Page 51 and 52: Procedure: After personal property
Page 53 and 54: Documenting and Evaluating the Body
Page 55 and 56: C. Document the decedent’s positi
Page 57 and 58: 4. Establish Decedent Identificatio
Page 59 and 60: 6. Participate in Scene Debriefing
Page 61 and 62: 8. Ensure Security of Remains Princ
Page 63 and 64: Establishing and Recording Decedent
Page 65 and 66: 3. Document Decedent Medical Histor
Page 67 and 68: 5. Document Social History Principl
Page 69 and 70: 46 2. Release Jurisdiction of the B
Page 71 and 72: 48 4. Assist the Family Principle:

Death Investigation: A Guide for the Scene Investigator - National ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?