ABSTRACT
Chapter 2 concerned the general responsibilities of the first officer who confronts the homicide crime scene. This chapter will treat related situations that call for a specific response on the part of the first officer. These specific duties concern the following:
The suspect in custody Transporting the suspect Examination of the suspect for evidence The dying declaration The victim removed to the hospital The victim pronounced dead at the hospital The officer’s duties at the hospital The victim’s confirmed dead at the scene Handling witnesses at the scene Additional officers at the scene Handling news media personnel at the scene The documentation of events by the first officer
In addition, I have included in this chapter a patrol officer’s checklist, which the officer at the scene can use to refresh his memory about what vital information must be obtained and what duties must be accomplished in the initial investigation of homicide. Some of the information in this chapter may seem repetitive. It is meant to be. Based on my experience, some elements of investigative procedure need to be reinforced by repetition.
