ABSTRACT
As previously stated, the coroner/medical examiner (C/ME) is charged with investigating sudden, unexplained, and suspicious deaths with the help of sta who are involved to some degree with any given death at every step of the way, from the scene to the autopsy and beyond. A‹er a death is reported to the C/ME, and that death has been determined to meet the criteria for a C/ME case, the death investigation begins or, more precisely, continues, sometimes with a scene visit by the death investigator or C/ME, especially in water-related deaths. is may include securing and preserving evidence, including the body itself, at the scene, with the proper starting of the chain of custody. e decedent’s identity must be established or conžrmed and a label or identifying body tag secured to the body. e body is placed in a clean body bag closed and secured by a zipper with the addition of an identifying tag and seal. Alternatively, the tagged body may be covered with a clean white sheet. Bodies discovered in cars (passenger compartment or trunk) may arrive as found, covered with a clean white sheet, via towing on a ©atbed truck. Bodies found buried in or lying on soil may arrive along with the soil, which can be examined, x-rayed, and sampled for additional evidence.
