NCJ Number
53920
Journal
Australian Police Journal Volume: 31 Issue: 3 , Dated: (1977) Pages: 143-148
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
ATTITUDES ADOPTED BY THE POLICE WHEN DEALING WITH DEATH AND ITS ATTENDANT EXIGENCIES ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
NEWLY APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE POLICE FORCE OFTEN FIND THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH DEATH AN UNCOMFORTABLE AND DISTURBING EXPERIENCE, PARTICULARLY THOSE MEMBERS WHO HAVE HAD LITTLE OR NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE IN THIS AREA. POLICE OFFICERS BECOME INVOLVED WITH MANY KINDS OF DEATH, INCLUDING MURDER, SUICIDE, UNEXPLAINED DEATHS, AND INDUSTRIAL AND SPORTING ACCIDENTS. THEY OFTEN NOTIFY PERSONS OF DEATH AND, IN THIS REGARD, CONSTITUTE A 24-HOUR SOCIAL WELFARE ORGANIZATION THAT IS DEDICATED TO THE ASSISTANCE OF THE COMMUNITY. THE PROBLEM OF NOTIFICATION IS COMPOUNDED WHEN MESSAGES HAVE TO BE DELIVERED AT UNUSUAL HOURS AND PEOPLE HAVE TO BE AWAKENED SO THAT THEIR MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL FACULTIES OFTEN ARE NOT ENTIRELY OPERATIVE. WHEN DEATH MUST BE REPORTED TO A CORONER, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE BODY BE FORMALLY AND PROPERLY IDENTIFIED TO INVESTIGATING POLICE. THE USE OF FINGERPRINTS AND ONDONTOLOGY HAS LONG BEEN ESTABLISHED AS AN EFFECTIVE IDENTIFICATION METHOD AND SHOULD BE RESORTED TO WHEN THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT AN IDENTIFICATION MAY BE SUBJECT TO SPECULATION. THE MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECT OF THE DEFINITION OF DEATH IS A MEDICAL RATHER THAN A POLICE FUNCTION. THE MANNER IN WHICH POLICE OFFICERS UNDERTAKE THEIR DUTIES IN RELATION TO DEATH CONTRIBUTES TO THE CREATION OR DESTRUCTION OF FAIR-MINDED ATTITUDES TOWARD THE POLICE. IT IS ESSENTIAL, THEREFORE, THAT SUITABLE CONDOLENCE BE EXPRESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEATH AND THE PERSONALITY OF THOSE AFFECTED. (DEP)