Crime Scene Investigation: Death Investigation

Death Scene Investigation

• A death scene investigation involves determining the type of death, identifying the main objectives and steps, and identifying the patrol officer's major responsibilities.

Types of Death Scenes

• Homicide: the killing of one human being by another, including murder, manslaughter, and self-defense.
• Suicide: the act of taking one's own life.
• Accident: an unintentional death, such as a car accident, fire, or drowning.
• Natural Causes: death due to disease or medical conditions.

Problems in Death Investigations

• Removal of the body from the scene: alters the scene and may result in loss of evidence.
• Embalming: destroys evidentiary value of substances in the body.
• Burial: may require exhumation order, and passage of time may destroy or reduce the value of body evidence.

Patrol Officer's Responsibilities

• Proceed safely and promptly.
• Render assistance.
• Effect the arrest.
• Maintain the crime scene.
• Inform and notify specialized units.
• Note all conditions, events, and remarks.
• Arrange for evidence collection.

Marking the Body

• The body may be marked by photography, sketching, markers, or cones.
• Silhouette chalking may also be used.

Responsibility for the Body

• The medical examiner has total authority over the body's disposition.
• The medical examiner and police work together to investigate the death.

Homicide Investigation Questions

• What was the cause of death?
• What were the means that caused the death?
• Was the homicide excusable or justifiable?
• Who was responsible for causing the death?

Homicide Patterns

• Anger Killing: often involves family members or friends, and is the most common pattern.
• Triangle Killing: involves a love triangle.
• Revenge/Jelly killing: involves an "eye for an eye" philosophy.
• Killing for Profit: involves financial gain.
• Random Killing: involves a random and unprovoked attack.
• Murder-Suicide: often involves an agreement between partners.
• Sex and Sadism: involves sexual perversion and sadistic behavior.

Gunshot Primer Residue (GSR) Test

• The test is used to determine if a suspect has fired a gun.
• The test involves collecting residue from the hands of the suspect.
• A positive result indicates that the suspect was in the presence of a discharged firearm.
• A negative result does not necessarily indicate that the suspect was not involved in the shooting.

Suicide Investigation

• The investigator must determine whether the death is a suicide, homicide, or accident.

• The type of injury, presence of a weapon, and existence of a motive must be considered.

• The position and awkwardness of the wound, as well as the difficulty of self-infliction, must be considered.

• A combination of methods or a choice of several sites is indicative of suicide.

• The extent of the wound, direction of the wound, and painfulness of the method must also be considered.

• Disfigurement considerations, such as the avoidance of facial disfigurement, must be taken into account.

• The presence of a weapon or instrument, as well as any concealment or accidental disappearance of the weapon, must be considered.

• Motive and intent, such as a suicide note or oral statements, must be considered.### Investigating Suicide Cases

• Investigator should interview family, business associates, friends, and acquaintances to determine the state of mind of the deceased.

• Interviews should focus on factual information, not opinions, and explore domestic, business, or financial troubles.

Importance of Suicide Notes

• A suicide note can be a crucial piece of evidence in determining the intent of the deceased.
• Notes should be handled with care and submitted to a qualified document examiner for analysis.
• Examiner should verify the authenticity of the note and handwriting.

Handling Suicide Notes

• Note should be picked up with tongs and placed in a transparent envelope.
• Photograph and transmit the note to the laboratory or agency for analysis.
• Include a request for comparison of the known writing of the deceased with the writing of the suicide note.
• Take precautions to avoid contact with fingers during handling.

Young Suicides

• Estimated 70,000 to 80,000 young people (ages 15-24) attempt suicide annually.
• About 5,000 succeed, with fewer than 30% leaving notes.
• Girls attempt suicide more often, but boys are more likely to succeed.

Accidents vs. Suicides

• Fatal accidents without witnesses can be mistaken for suicides.
• Injuries should be examined to determine if they are compatible with self-infliction.

Types of Suicide

• Motor Vehicle Suicide: difficult to determine without a note or background information.
• Jump Suicide: investigate notes, past attempts, mental condition, and building layout.
• Overdose Suicide: mostly women and young girls; investigate notes, past attempts, mental condition, containers, and security of premises.
• Firearms Suicide: mostly men; investigate notes, past attempts, mental condition, gun, bullets, and powder burns.
• Carbon Monoxide Suicide: investigate notes, past attempts, mental condition, vehicle, and skin tone.
• Poison Suicide: not common; investigate notes, past attempts, mental condition, and object used.
• Incised (cut) Wound Suicides: investigate notes, past attempts, mental condition, object used, and security of premises.
• Hanging Suicides: investigate notes, past attempts, mental condition, ropes, and security of premises.

Auto-erotic Deaths

• Deaths associated with solo sexual activity, often resembling suicide.
• May involve family alteration of the scene due to shame or embarrassment.
• Usually involves males, with methods including neck compression, airway obstruction, chest compression, and oxygen exclusion.

Auto-Erotic Death Scene Evidence

• Location: secluded area.
• Nude body.
• Cross-dressing and evidence of masturbation.
• Bondage indications, such as ropes, chains, blindfolds, and gags.
• Protective padding on the neck.
• Sexually stimulating paraphernalia, such as vibrators and dildos.
• Mirrors and evidence of fantasy, such as diaries and pornography.
• Auto-erotic literature and evidence of prior auto-erotic activities.
• Positioned camera.