Locating and notifying the next of kin is an important part of medicolegal death investigation. This presentation provided examples of resources at the scene and online to assist medicolegal death investigators (MDIs) with identifying the decedent’s next of kin. Some of these resources include talking to witnesses, searching cell phone information, social media accounts, public records, and criminal databases. Additionally, Namus was discussed as a resource if a next of kin cannot be identified.
Subject matter experts presented steps and tips in making the notification to the next of kin, following by a discussion about post notification trauma. Afterwards, information about donation and tissue recovery was shared, followed by an explanation of the screening process and how information gatherers can assist the MDIs by sharing cross-collected information. Examples of cross-collected information include medical record review, testing and diagnostics, microbiology, and histology.