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CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATIONS.
Term Paper ID:29380
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Essay Subject:
Discusses professionals needed for death investigations.... More...
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10 Pages / 2250 Words
10 sources, 30 Citations,
APA Format
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Paper Abstract:
Discusses professionals needed for death investigations. General roles and responsibilities. Police officers or Sheriff's deputies. Trained, experienced detectives. Forensic pathologists, coroners, medical examiners and forensic field and laboratory investigators trained in the use of new technologies and strategies for evidence gathering and preservation. U.S. Department of Justice guidelines for death crime scene investigators.
Paper Introduction:
Death Crime Scene Investigation
Proper death investigations as requiring trained and experienced detectives who can expertly evaluate situations of violent death and conduct detailed inquiries (Geberth, 1995). In addition, death crime scene investigations now the presence and cooperation of a number of other professional and expert actors, including forensic pathologists, coroners, medical examiners, and forensic field and laboratory investigators trained in the use of new technologies and strategies for gathering and preserving evidence and using that evidence to identify suspects (U.S. Department of Justice, 1999). The purpose of this report is to examine the activities undertaken in death crime scene investigation focusing specifically on the roles of the key actors in such an investigation and the relationship betw
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Creating diagrams of thelocation of evidence and their relationship to the body should be augmentedby necessary measurements. Hanzlick and Combs (1998) noted that state lawgenerally authorizes the establishment of ME or coroner systems. (1999). By following laws related to the collection ofevidence, investigators will ensure compliance with normative laws andstatutes, admissibility in court, and adherence to office policies andprotocols. Department of Justice, 1999). However,while computer software, new technologies, and sophisticated databases areoften available in major metropolitan areas, in rural settings, thesetechnologies are replaced at the crime scene level by standardinvestigation strategies (Watson, 2 ). Police or sheriff's deputies are generally the first law enforcementofficials to arrive at or to identify a death crime scene (Geberth, 1995).While line officers may be the initial official presence at a death crimescene, it is typical that detectives with some training or background inhomicide are placed in charge of the police investigation of a death crimescene. . K., & Pertowski, C. The first action that all these individuals must take is to protectthe crime scene in order to preserve any available evidence (Deathinvestigation..., 1989). Theyare trained in forensics to varying degrees and act as a liaison betweenlaw enforcement officials, the media, and the public (including the familyof the victim). Evidence should be identified, secured,and preserved with proper containers, labels, and preservatives. These technologies includenew photographic techniques that employ ultraviolet and other speciallights to identify stains and other anomalies. Washington, D.C.: U.S. In many jurisdictions, because of a lack of funding oravailability of a medical doctor with forensic training, a referral-basedME system in which a coroner takes the lead legal role in investigatingunnatural deaths may be present. More expertise needed in death Investigations. . Coroners, in contrast, are generally elected individuals who rely onwhatever medical personnel are available to assist in investigations andperform autopsies. (1995). R. Confocal microscopes andsophisticated chemical analysis systems located in forensic laboratoriesare also extremely useful in death crime scene investigations. Some states, such asConnecticut, have a state ME who must be a doctor of medicine licensed topractice in the state and who possesses a minimum of four years ofundergraduate pathology training and additional expertise in forensicpathology (Death investigations..., 1989). (2 2). (1995). A personal perspective concerning homicide investigation. The roles of police detectives include notification of survivingfamily members, assisting in the identification of the body, and taking alead role in ensuring that evidence is collected and analyzed by the properpersonnel (Geberth, 1995). Department of Justice (1999) cautionsinvestigators at death crime scenes that they must follow local, state, andfederal laws for the collection of evidence to ensure that it will beadmissible in the event that a case comes to trial. In caseswhere the victim is a child, the participation of child protection servicesis needed (Investigation and review..., 1999). Police and the sexual assault examination. Department ofJustice, 1999). It is in this contextthat the ME or the coroner's representative must work with law enforcementand legal authorities to determine what laws are operating with respect tothe collection of evidence. BothME/coroner investigators and law enforcement officials participate in theseactivities (U.S. Identify incident command. Once the authority for different aspects of the death sceneinvestigation has been determined and tasks assigned, appropriatepreliminary information is generally shared among the key actors andinvestigative goals for each agency are identified (U.S. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 6 (5), 559.Voelker, R. Each of the agencies that participate in a death crime sceneinvestigation is required by both law and custom to develop writtendocumentation of the scene. Pediatrics, 1 4 (5), 1158 - 1162.Lewis, R. Department of Justice, 1999). Arrange for removal of animals or others at the scene.Once death has been determined and pronounced by the investigator from theME or coroner's office, rescue or resuscitative efforts cease andmedicolegal jurisdiction can be established. It is vital that this occurprior to the ME/Coroner's assuming any further responsibilities. A new breed of high-tech detectives. In addition, death crime sceneinvestigations now the presence and cooperation of a number of otherprofessional and expert actors, including forensic pathologists, coroners,medical examiners, and forensic field and laboratory investigators trainedin the use of new technologies and strategies for gathering and preservingevidence and using that evidence to identify suspects (U.S. Department of Justice, 1999). The Journal of the American Medical Association, 261(5), 683-685.Geberth, V.J. With fewexceptions, the critical difference between coroners and MEs is that the MEis required by statute to be a physician and/or pathologist with trainingin medicolegal death investigations and forensic autopsy performance. B., Yoon, S. There are quite significant variationsin the ways in which local jurisdictions allocate responsibility for deathcrime scene investigations. ReferencesDeath investigation - United States 1987. In some cases where the potential for sexual assault coupledwith homicide exists, Wilson (2 2) points out that this multidisciplinaryis extended to include forensic pathologists who are knowledgeable withrespect to the identification of a sexual assault and the use of technologyto determine that such an assault has taken place and to gather DNA andother evidence that helps to identify the offender. This brief report has described the general roles andresponsibilities of the key agencies and individuals who participate indeath crime scene investigations. Department ofJustice, 1999). Once theestablishment of authority and a chain of command scene has been completed,determining each participating agency's investigative responsibility at thescene is essential in planning the scope and depth of each sceneinvestigation and the release of information to the public (U.S. Mixed ME/Coroner: Thirteen states have county or district death investigation system, some of which are administered by MEs and some by coroners.Working for or within the ME and coroner systems are a varied number ofphysicians, including forensic as well as other licensed pathologists, andtechnicians who may not have a medical license. There are three basic types of death investigation systems now in usein the United States. Law enforcement officers who are "first on the scene" usuallytake preliminary steps to secure the scene and to interview witnesses (ifany). Medical examiner and coroner systems: History and trends. Department of Justice (1999) provides a guide for deathcrime scene investigators in which it is stated that the authorization forconducting or lead such an investigation is provided by the local MedicalExaminer or Coroner and local official policy; state and federal statutoryauthority is employed to grant these key officials authority for orderingsuch an investigation. . There are now more than 2, separate death investigation units in the United States. The U.S. Though there is no uniform system in place forsecuring a crime scene or for the investigation of certain deaths (such asinfant and child deaths) in the United States (Investigation and review...,1999), most jurisdictions train line officers and detectives in securing acrime scene, leaving the body largely untouched and unmoved until arepresentative of the coroner's office or medical examination can examineit, and taping off the physical area in which the body is located toprevent potential trampling on the scene. Crime scene environments, including odors, lights, andtemperatures, must also be documented. Lewis (2 1) stated that despite the image of crime sceneinvestigations presented on television, the reality of crime sceneinvestigations is that fairly routine forensic examinations such asfingerprinting, evidence collection, and the determination of probablecause of death take place at the crime scene. Nolte, Yoon, and Pertowski(2 ) concur and note that autopsies conducted under the oversight of theME or coroner often provide much greater detailed information than anydeath crime scene investigation can produce. Department of Justice. The Journal of the American Medical Association(Death investigation..., 1989) identified these systems as: . Medical examiners, coroners, and bioterrorism. . Others who may be at the death crime scene when theindividual designated as a lead investigator (usually a police departmentdetective or equivalent) arrives include line officers, fire departmentpersonnel, Emergency Medical Service workers, social/child protectionservice workers, and a forensic team that may include a representative ofthe medical examiner or coroner. There are currently calls for enhancedprofessionalism and for the transformation of coroner's offices into MEsystems. Death Crime Scene Investigation Proper death investigations as requiring trained and experienceddetectives who can expertly evaluate situations of violent death andconduct detailed inquiries (Geberth, 1995). The use of forensic science variessignificantly from one jurisdiction to another. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 71 (1), 14 - 18. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 279 (11), 87 - 875.Investigation and review of unexpected infant and child deaths. Coroner: Twelve states have county or district coroners responsible for death investigations within the county; coroners are elected and there are usually no statutory requirements for training. (1989). Once the death crime scene has been thoroughly examined and assessedas described herein, Geberth (1995) says that the responsibilities ofdifferent groups become somewhat more thoroughly differentiated. Department of Justice (1999) stated that when theinvestigator arrives at the death crime scene, his or her tasks immediatelyinclude: . (2 1). International Journal of Offender Therapy & Comparative Criminology, 39(1), 1-2.Hanzlick, R., & Combs, D. When detectives arrive, often in conjunction with a representativeof the ME or coroner's office, a scene "walk through" is usually undertakento provide the lead investigator an opportunity to locate and view thebody, identify valuable or fragile evidence, and determine initialinvestigative procedures providing for a systematic examination anddocumentation of the scene and the body. A key next step creates apermanent historical record of the scene and can provide detailedcorroborating evidence that constructs a system of redundancy shouldquestions arise concerning the report, witness statements, or the positionof evidence at the scene (U.S. This documentation provides a permanent recordthat may be used to correlate with and enhance photographic documentation,refresh recollection, and record observations. (1999). 91998). Coroners are seen by Voelker (1995) as amiddle man (or woman) between medical examiners and law enforcement. Some of these divisions of responsibility can be readilyidentified. Science, 289 (5481), 85 - 854+.Wilson, C. Use personal protective safety devices in handling the body or other materials. The Scientist, 15 (17), 1 - 13+.Nolte, K. At this juncture, a chain of custody for immediately obtainedevidence should be established. Secure vehicle and park as safely as possible. Medical legal investigations in the United States are carried out byME or coroner systems. (2 ). Blood and body fluid evidence, includingvolume, patterns, spatters, and other characteristics should be included inthis documentation. Currently, many larger police departments and/or ME/coroners' officesare able to staff forensic scientists who are using new technologies tocollect and analyze evidence (Watson, 2 ). Wilson (2 2) states that most suchinvestigations include a multidisciplinary team that is extended toincorporate coroners and/or medical examiners and forensic pathologists ortechnicians. According to Voelker (1995), the variations in death crime sceneinvestigation authority mandate that attention be given to developing auniform investigation system. Assess and/or establish physical boundaries. Department of Justice.Watson, A. This is done to recreate the scenefor police, forensics, and judicial and civil agencies with an interest inthe case (U.S. Much of the work that occurs in forensic laboratories or autopsyrooms takes place after the crime scene itself has been thoroughly examinedfor evidence (Hanzlick & Combs, 1998). For this reason, Lewis(2 1) pointed out that many complex forensic investigations take place atremote laboratories with no direct geographic connection to the death crimescene. The purpose of this report is to examine the activitiesundertaken in death crime scene investigation focusing specifically on theroles of the key actors in such an investigation and the relationshipbetween and among these actors. The U.S. Where the bugs are: Forensic entomology. . (2 ). In cases where sexualassault has been involved, sexual assault examiners at local hospitals orin the ME/coroner's office will be required to participate (Wilson, 2 2).Unless the cause of death is readily apparent and even in many cases whereit is apparent, Voelker (1995) states that an autopsy is often ordered.Autopsies fall under the purview of the ME or coroner though coronersthemselves do not conduct such examinations. . In many instances, evidence assembled at the crime scene by localofficials, including police, sheriffs, and investigators from theME/coroner's office is analyzed at university research centers, FBIforensic headquarters, or state ME facilities. Medical Examiner: Found in 19 states and the District of Columbia, a state chief Medical Examiner (ME) is responsible for investigating deaths for the entire state; the ME is usually appointed and must be a licensed physician with pathology training. In cases where the immediatecause of death is not readily apparent, it is in the autopsy room that theME or coroner's staff makes a determination of the cause of death andconcludes that the death was or was not homicide. At all times, the U.S. Death Investigation: A Guide for the Scene Investigator. Departmentof Justice, 1999). The Journal of the American Medical Association, 273 (15), 1164 - 1166.U.S.
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