ABSTRACT

This chapter describes the notification and response for the death scene investigator (DSI). It focuses on the procedural aspects of the death scene response. Once the threat is removed and aid has been rendered, the presence of law enforcement moves from the public safety realm to the investigative realm. The DSI may be a law enforcement crime scene investigator, detective, medical examiner's investigator, or coroner's investigator. After establishing death scene perimeters and ensuring death scene security, the DSI should take the opportunity to walk through the scene and examine the body to become familiar with the evidence present and its interrelationship to the scene. The Death Scene Investigation Decision Tree will aid the investigator in making an evidence-based decision on initially handling the scene as a homicide, suicide, accident, or natural death. Once an investigative direction is developed, it should remain sufficiently flexible to allow for unforeseen developments.