NCJ Number
57892
Journal
Police Review Volume: 87 Dated: (APRIL 13, 1979) Pages: 575-578
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL EXAMINATION OF ARTICLES AS WELL AS HUMAN REMAINS RECOVERED IN UNDERWATER POLICE INVESTIGATIONS ARE EXAMINED IN THIS BRITISH ARTICLE.
Abstract
THE NEED FOR THE POLICE TO USE SKILLED DIVERS FOR UNDERWATER SEARCH/RECOVERY PURPOSES IS WELL ESTABLISHED. REGARDLESS OF THE DIVERS' SKILL, TROUBLE ENSUES WHEN THE ITEMS RECOVERED FROM WATER ARE SUBMITTED FOR SCIENTIFIC AND PATHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION. EVIDENCE IS OFTEN LOST DUE TO MISHANDLING; CREDIBILITY IS REDUCED BECAUSE EVIDENCE PACKAGING RULES OFTEN GO UNOBSERVED. DIVERS SHOULD BRING THE ITEM OF INTEREST TO THE SURFACE AS SLOWLY AS POSSIBLE TO REDUCE THE SLIPSTREAM OF WATER ON THE SIDES OF THE OBJECT. A POLICE OFFICER SHOULD BE PRESENT TO DIRECT THE DIVER AND TO PACK AND SEAL THE ITEM RECOVERED. THE OFFICER ALSO SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR A DETAILED EXAMINATION IN COURT ABOUT THE EXACT LOCATION OF ANYTHING FOUND AT THE SCENE, ITS RECOVERY METHOD, DEPTH OF WATER, ETC. NOTHING RETRIEVED FROM THE WATER SHOULD BE LEFT UNATTENDED. SPECIAL RULES APPLY TO BODIES. BEFORE THEY ARE TAKEN FROM THE WATER HANDS, FEET, AND HEAD SHOULD BE BAGGED IN POLYTHENE; IF FOUND UNDERWATER, THEY SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE SURFACE AS CAREFULLY AS POSSIBLE. NO BODY SHOULD BE PLACED ON A BOAT OR LAND WITHOUT A POLYTHENE SHEET UNDER IT. SAMPLES OF WATER SHOULD BE TAKEN FROM THE SURFACE AND FROM THE DEPTH LEVEL WHERE THE BODY WAS FOUND. AS THEY CONTAIN DIATOMS, WATER SAMPLES CAN OFTEN SUPPORT EVIDENCE OF DROWNING, ESTABLISH WHERE DROWNING TOOK PLACE, AND SUPPLY VALUABLE INFORMATION ON THE TYPE OF SLUDGE FOUND IN THE LUNGS. EQUIPMENT THAT A DIVING TEAM INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL CASES WOULD REQUIRE FOR THESE CONTINGENCIES IS LISTED. (MJW)