Boca Raton Police Services Department - Notification of Medical Examiner and Death Investigations PDF

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 41.260 NOTIFICATION OF MEDICAL EXAMINER AND DEATH INVESTIGATIONS Revised: September 18, 2019 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this departmental standards directive is to establish a policy and procedure for conducting death investig...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 41.260 NOTIFICATION OF MEDICAL EXAMINER AND DEATH INVESTIGATIONS Revised: September 18, 2019 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this departmental standards directive is to establish a policy and procedure for conducting death investigations and for the notification of the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner. II. POLICY: A death investigation requires an immediate response, a prompt determination of whether the circumstances warrant a criminal investigation, and a notification of the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner. III. DEFINITIONS: Attending Physician: A physician who is responsible for the care given to a particular patient and/or the person’s private physician, if that physician cares for the person on an individual and/or outpatient basis. The term does not imply that the physician needs to be physically present at the time of a person’s death. Medical Examiner Cases: Those deaths which are defined in FSS 406.11 which require notification of the Medical Examiner. Unattended Death: A death is considered “unattended” when it occurs more than 30 days after the decedent was last treated by a physician, except where death was medically expected as certified by an attending physician. It is the absence of the doctor/patient relationship at the time of death and not the physical presence of the attending physician that is the determining factor. IV. PROCEDURE: A. UNATTENDED DEATHS PROCEDURE: 1. Reports of death whether characterized as “natural” or “suspicious” require prompt response and investigation. 2. Unattended deaths whether suspicious in nature or of apparent natural causes require crime scene protocol and the notification of the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office. 3. A shift supervisor shall be called to the scene of all unattended deaths. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: September 18, 2019 Notification of Medical Examiner and Death Investigations Directive No. 41.260 Page 1 of 5 4. If the investigation concludes that there are no suspicious circumstances and the deceased has been under the care of an attending physician for a medical condition that may be attributed to his/her death, the investigating law enforcement officer (LEO) will contact the attending physician, explain the circumstances surrounding the death, and request that the attending physician sign the death certificate within 24 hours. 5. If the attending physician will sign the death certificate within 24 hours, the body may be released to the family. The investigating LEO will assist the family in making arrangements for removal of the body. The attending physician’s name, address and phone number must be provided to the funeral home handling the removal of the body. The physician’s name, address, and phone number; and the funeral home business name, address and phone number must be listed in the incident report. 6. If the attending physician will not sign the death certificate or cannot be contacted within a reasonable time, the investigating LEO will contact the medical examiner, explain the circumstances, and follow the medical examiner's instructions as to the removal of the body. B. UNATTENDED NATURAL DEATHS (MEDICAL EXAMINER INFORMATION FORMAT): 1. The LEO shall complete the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Death Investigation Form online for attended natural deaths where a physician is available and willing to sign a death certificate at: http://discover.pbcgov.org/medicalexaminer/Pages/default.aspx 2. FSS Chapter 406 requires that unattended deaths are reported to the medical examiner and that the medical examiner maintains documented records of these deaths. 3. If the LEO has any questions concerning the case, he/she may contact the Medical Examiner’s Office for advice or consultation at (561) 688-4575. C. MEDICAL EXAMINER CASES: 1. In accordance with Florida statutes, all deaths with the following circumstances shall come under the jurisdiction of the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office and be referred to the same: a. Criminal violence b. Accident, even if the victim is admitted to a hospital and expires later c. Suicide d. Suddenly, when in apparent good health e. Unattended, by a practicing physician or other recognized practitioner licensed in the State of Florida Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: September 18, 2019 Notification of Medical Examiner and Death Investigations Directive No. 41.260 Page 2 of 5 2. f. In a prison or penal institution g. In police custody h. Any suspicious or unusual circumstances i. Criminal abortion j. By poison k. By disease, constituting a threat to public health l. By disease, injury, or toxic agent, resulting from employment The investigating LEO is responsible for the following actions: a. Secure and preserve the crime scene pending the arrival of a crime scene technician. b. Assist in the identification, collection, and submission of evidence. c. Conduct all necessary interviews of witnesses, friends, relatives, neighbors, acquaintances. d. Obtain positive identification of the deceased. e. Complete all investigative procedures necessary to establish the cause and manner of death. f. Contact and brief the medical examiner, and preserve the scene pending his/her arrival. If the cause of death is such that the medical examiner decides not to respond to the scene, obtain instructions from him/her as to removal of the body. 3. In homicide, suicides, or suspicious death cases, the LEO will complete the following actions: a. The Investigative Services Bureau (ISB) sergeant will be notified. b. An individual written supplemental report will be submitted by anyone who enters the scene. c. After the on-site crime scene is completed and the remains are turned over to a removal service, the victim's clothing will remain on the body for transportation to the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office. 4. The LEO will establish a chain of custody of relevant property/evidence including the body in cases where the medical examiner directs that the body be removed for postmortem examination. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: September 18, 2019 Notification of Medical Examiner and Death Investigations Directive No. 41.260 Page 3 of 5 5. The body is always part of the crime scene and frequently the most important piece of evidence, therefore, the LEO will preserve it and its integrity as evidence. 6. Before the release of a body to an appropriate removal service, the officer must fill out the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Death Investigation Form online, as completely and descriptively as possible. 7. The online Death Investigation Form must be forwarded to the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office for use in their investigation. 8. The following information will be included on the Death Investigation Form: a. Where/how the body was found, e.g., in a car, where in the car, clothed, partially clothed, etc. b. Type of death, reasons and facts to support conclusions. c. What happened and/or prior activity; e.g., food, alcohol, drug intake, fight, depression, job-related problems, domestic problems. 9. If requested by the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office, an LEO, detective, or crime scene technician familiar with the case will be present with the doctor when he/she examines the deceased. 10. The observer must be able to accurately describe the facts of the case and answer any pertinent questions that the medical examiner may have. 11. An LEO may search an area to locate information for next of kin notification. 12. Whenever next-of-kin information is obtained, the search will end. 13. No items, other than the personal effects on the deceased, should be removed from the home. 14. Personal effects of the deceased shall not be removed when the next of kin can be established and is available. 15. Any prescription medication and/or over-the-counter medicine used by the deceased should be sent with the remains for the medical examiner. 16. The LEO will leave a receipt with the family or at the scene for all items removed. 17. In the event of an assault, where the injuries could prove fatal, if feasible, an LEO will ride in the ambulance with the victim. An LEO will stay with the victim until he/she is turned over to competent medical personnel or secured in the appropriate morgue. 18. When the medical examiner has reached an opinion, revealing no foul play and a cause and manner of death, the LEO shall document the findings in a supplement, which Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: September 18, 2019 Notification of Medical Examiner and Death Investigations Directive No. 41.260 Page 4 of 5 shall include the cause of death, the date and time of notification and the medical examiner's name. D. OTHER JURISDICTIONS: 1. If the incident occurred in another jurisdiction, the LEO will immediately notify his/her Department supervisor and ensure both notification to the other jurisdiction and their acceptance of the case. 2. The LEO will complete an Assist Other Department (AOD) report including identifiers of the deceased, name and time the other jurisdiction was notified. 3. The LEO will assist until an LEO from the other jurisdiction arrives or verbally releases the Department from involvement. 4. The LEO will complete an AOD report and detail identifiers of the deceased as well as the agency and officer accepting the investigation. E. POLICE-RELATED CRITICAL INCIDENTS AND CUSTODIAL DEATHS: 1. For police-related critical incidents and custodial deaths, refer to Standard Operating Procedure 01.01 Employee Involved Critical Incidents. Approved: Daniel C. Alexander Chief of Police Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: September 18, 2019 Date: Notification of Medical Examiner and Death Investigations Directive No. 41.260 Page 5 of 5