ABSTRACT
Processing of a death scene requires certain roles to be filled and tasks to be accomplished no matter what the size and complexity of the scene or response. Scene coordination is important to determine who has investigative jurisdiction over the physical location of the death scene, the body of the deceased, the type of offense committed, and interdepartmental responses. A death scene investigation is basically the search for evidence and properly documenting, preserving, and collecting this evidence. It is incumbent upon the death scene investigator to ensure that he or she has the legal authority to be present conducting the scene investigation. Once an investigative direction is developed, it should remain sufficiently flexible to allow for unforeseen developments. A critical function of death scene analysis is placing the evidence within the context of the scene to assist the lead detective in determining investigative direction and developing investigative leads.
