NCJ Number
69491
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS POLICE TRAINING FILM DISCUSSES THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS FOR RESPONSE TO REPORTS OF DEAD BODIES.
Abstract
DEAD BODY CALLS WILL BE FOR HELP OR INVESTIGATION, AND 25 PERCENT OF THESE CALLS WILL LEAD TO CASES THAT CAN BE CHARACTERIZED AS SUSPICIOUS. IN CASES OF RAPE, OCCUPATIONAL INJURY, AND DISEASE, AN AUTOPSY WILL TAKE PLACE IN ORDER TO LEARN WHAT HAPPENED. THE CORONER WILL ASSIST THE INVESTIGATORS WITH THE HOW, WHEN, AND WHERE BY DETERMINING THE FOLLOWING: CAUSE OF DEATH, WHICH WOUND IS FATAL, DIRECTION OF FORCE, EVIDENCE OF A STRUGGLE, HOW LONG THE VICTIM LIVED AFTER INJURY, WHAT DISTANCE THE VICTIM MOVED BEFORE DYING, AND THE VICTIM'S POSITION WHEN INJURED. THE INVESTIGATOR'S FIRST RESPONSIBILITY IS TO THE VICTIM BY LOOKING FOR RIGOR MORTIS, PURPLE DISCOLORING, ABSENCE OF BREATHING, PULSE, HEART BEAT, AND MUSCLE TONE IN THE EYES. THE HEART WILL BEAT FOR A LITTLE WHILE AFTER BREATHING HAS STOPPED, AND PUPILS OF A DEAD PERSON WILL DILATE TO 5 MILLIMETERS OR MORE. THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER HAS TO BE SUSPICIOUS WHILE, AT THE SAME TIME, COMFORTING TO THOSE WHO KNEW THE VICTIM. IF THE OFFICER'S SUSPICIONS ARE AROUSED, HE SHOULD CLEAR THE AREA AND PROTECT EVIDENCE. ALSO, HE SHOULD CONTACT THE VICTIM'S PHYSICIAN AND ASK THREE QUESTIONS: (1) WAS THERE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE VICTIM?; (2) DID YOU SEE HIM IN THE LAST FEW DAYS?; AND (3) WILL YOU SIGN THE DEATH CERTIFICATE?. AN INSTRUCTOR'S GUIDE IS INCLUDED.