Hollywood Police Department SOP 247 - Death Investigations PDF

SOP HOLLYWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT...

SOP HOLLYWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT #247 DEATH INVESTIGATIONS ORIGINATION DATE: 11/01/2001 REVISED DATE: 09/15/2023 APPROVED: CHIEF OF POLICE, JEFF DEVLIN PURPOSE: The purpose of this SOP is to establish procedures and guidelines for the investigation of deaths. SCOPE: This SOP applies to all Members of the Department. POLICY: The Department is dedicated to conducting a thorough investigation of all deaths that are unattended, unintentional, suspicious, or caused by a criminal act while respecting the physical and emotional needs of the family and friends of the decedent. Therefore, Members are encouraged to provide a professional and compassionate work environment while in their presence and answer questions openly and honestly without jeopardizing the investigation’s integrity. INDEX: PROCEDURE:.............................................................................................................................................. 2 I. GENERAL INFORMATION....................................................................................................................... 2 A. TRAFFIC HOMICIDE INVESTIGATIONS:..................................................................................................... 3 B. HOMICIDE INVESTIGATIONS:.................................................................................................................. 3 C. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT (FDLE) INVESTIGATIONS............................................... 3 D. MEDICAL EXAMINER INVESTIGATIONS:................................................................................................... 3 II. GENERAL DEATH SCENE PROTOCOL................................................................................................. 4 A. RESCUE REQUESTS:............................................................................................................................. 4 B. POLICE & FIRE RESCUE RESPONSE:...................................................................................................... 4 C. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES:......................................................................................... 4 III. PROTOCOL FOR DEATHS REQUIRING AN INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES SECTION DETECTIVE.................................................................................................................................................. 5 A. ENSURE REQUIRED RESPONSE:............................................................................................................ 5 B. SECURE THE SCENE:............................................................................................................................ 5 C. PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE:.............................................................................................................. 5 D. IDENTIFICATION AND PRELIMINARY INTERVIEWS:.................................................................................... 5 E. INCIDENT REPORTS AND SUPPLEMENTS:................................................................................................ 5 F. SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES:........................................................................................................... 5 SOP 247 Death Investigations Page 1 of 12  G. HOMICIDE UNIT DETECTIVE................................................................................................................... 6 H. INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES SECTION SUPERVISOR:.................................................................................. 6 IV. SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE REQUIREMENTS................................................................................. 6 A. SUICIDE:.............................................................................................................................................. 6 B. IN-CUSTODY DEATH:............................................................................................................................ 7 V. NATURAL DEATHS.......................................................................................................................... 7 A. EXAMINATION OF THE DECEDENT:......................................................................................................... 7 B. EXAMINATION OF THE RESIDENCE OR AREA:.......................................................................................... 8 C. CONTACTING THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN:............................................................................................. 8 D. CONTACTING THE MEDICAL EXAMINER’S OFFICE:................................................................................... 8 E. HOSPICE CARE:.................................................................................................................................... 9 F. NURSING HOMES:................................................................................................................................. 9 VI. ON-SCENE PROCEDURES.............................................................................................................. 9 A. REMOVAL OF DECEDENT:...................................................................................................................... 9 B. SECURING PROPERTY AT THE SCENE OF A DEATH:................................................................................ 9 VII. NOTIFYING NEXT OF KIN:............................................................................................................. 10 A. NEXT OF KIN:..................................................................................................................................... 10 B. NOTIFICATION WITHIN THE CITY:.......................................................................................................... 10 C. NOTIFICATION OUTSIDE THE CITY:....................................................................................................... 10 D. NOTIFICATION REQUESTS FROM OUTSIDE AGENCIES........................................................................... 11 VIII. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:..................................................................................................... 11 A. INCIDENT REPORT:............................................................................................................................. 11 B. OFFICE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER & TRAUMA SERVICES INVESTIGATION REPORT:.................................... 11 IX. DEFINITIONS:................................................................................................................................. 11 A. BLOOD RELATIVE:.......................................................................................................................... 11 B. HOMICIDE:...................................................................................................................................... 12 C. HOSPICE PROGRAM:..................................................................................................................... 12 D. MEDICAL EXAMINER’S CASE:....................................................................................................... 12 E. SUICIDE:.......................................................................................................................................... 12 F. UNATTENDED DEATH:................................................................................................................... 12 G. IN-CUSTODY DEATH:..................................................................................................................... 12 PROCEDURE: I. GENERAL INFORMATION The Department is responsible for conducting an investigation of all deaths that are unattended, unintentional, suspicious, or purposeful. SOP 247 Death Investigations Page 2 of 12  A. Traffic Homicide Investigations: The Department’s Traffic Unit (See Traffic Accidents SOP #231) will investigate unintentional deaths that occur as a result of a traffic crash. B. Homicide Investigations: The Investigative Services Section’s Homicide Unit, in liaison with the Medical Examiner’s Office, will investigate deaths involving any of the following circumstances: 1. Accidental, not caused by a traffic crash. 2. Suspicious or unusual. 3. Caused by a criminal act. 4. Suicide. 5. Suddenly, when in apparent good health. 6. Toxic Agent. 7. Train Crash not involving a motor vehicle. 8. Drowning. 9. Overdose of alcohol, medication, or controlled substance. C. Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Investigations The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, in concert with the Investigative Services Division, Homicide Unit, will investigate the following; 1. Police-involved shootings. 2. Police in-custody deaths. 3. Serious life-threatening injuries as a result of direct and/or indirect Police action, i.e., “Response to Resistance Incidents”. D. Medical Examiner Investigations: Florida Statute 406.11 f.s. defines those cases justifying inquiry by the Medical Examiner. Therefore, in addition to those cases investigated by the Homicide Unit, the Medical Examiner is required to be contacted for deaths that involve any of the following circumstances: 1. Unattended by a practicing Physician or other recognized Practitioner. 2. Criminal abortion. 3. Poisoning. 4. Disease, constituting a threat to public health. 5. Resulting from injury. 6. Resulting from a traffic crash. 7. When a dead body is brought into the State without proper medical certification. 8. When a body is to be cremated, dissected, or buried at sea. 9. Natural Deaths: a. When an attending physician will not sign the death certificate, the death will become a Medical Examiner’s Case. b. If the attending physician agrees to sign the death certificate, the death does not become a Medical Examiner’s Case but still requires contacting the Medical Examiner’s Office. SOP 247 Death Investigations Page 3 of 12 II. GENERAL DEATH SCENE PROTOCOL A. Rescue Requests: Under normal circumstances, Fire Rescue will be dispatched to respond to death scenes. However, the first responding Officer will ensure that Fire Rescue has been dispatched. B. Police & Fire Rescue Response: The preservation of life will always take precedence over the safeguarding of evidence. Therefore, responding Officers must remain aware and work in conjunction with Fire Rescue to preserve evidence whenever possible. 1. Fire Rescue will conduct the initial examination of all victims and advise the Police Department if a death has occurred. 2. In cases of obvious death (e.g., the body is putrefied or destroyed, cold and stiff due to rigor mortis), the ranking Officer on scene will determine if Fire Rescue is necessary. If utilized, the Officer will escort one person from Fire Rescue to the site of the body for death verification. 3. Fire Rescue will be requested to pronounce death in all Police Involved fatalities, i.e., Police shootings. 4. Officers will ensure that the following is documented: a. The collection of any clothing or evidence removed from the victim. b. Any disturbance or alterations to the scene during rescue operations. c. The names and F numbers (badge numbers) of Fire Rescue personnel on scene. C. Preliminary Investigation Procedures: When an Officer is dispatched to a death, he will proceed as follows: 1. Secure the scene. 2. Determine if additional victims are present. 3. Notify a supervisor of the circumstances. 4. Attempt to determine if the death is from natural causes or circumstances of a suspicious nature. a. If the death meets any of the criteria in Section I, Paragraph B, Homicide Investigations, a Homicide Unit Detective will be called to the scene. b. If the death appears to be from natural causes, the procedures outlined in Section V, Natural Causes, will be followed. 5. Locate and interview all witnesses or relatives to determine the following: a. Who last saw the decedent alive? b. When and where did they last see the decedent? c. What may have caused the death of the decedent? d. Establish the existence of narcotics, weapons, or notes. 6. Record the following information: a. Fire Rescue personnel. b. Location of the decedent. c. Position of the decedent. d. Condition of the scene. SOP 247 Death Investigations Page 4 of 12  e. Clothing, jewelry, or other items on the body. f. Body temperature g. Observable trauma. (1) Wounds or marks. (2) Any unusual bleeding or discoloration of the skin. h. Race and sex of the decedent. 7. Notify the Crime Scene Unit to respond for photographs. III. PROTOCOL FOR DEATHS REQUIRING AN INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES SECTION DETECTIVE In addition to the procedures outlined in Section II, General Death Scene Protocol, if the death meets any of the criteria in Section I, Paragraph B, Homicide Investigations, the following will be completed by the responding Officers: A. Ensure Required Response: Ensure the response of the following personnel: 1. Homicide Unit Detective. 2. Patrol Supervisor. 3. Crime Scene Unit. B. Secure the Scene: Utilize the following resources to secure the scene: 1. Crime scene tape. 2. Crime Scene Admission Log. 3. Latex gloves and foot coverings. 4. Additional Officers. C. Preservation of Evidence: Responding Officers will identify and preserve all possible evidence at the scene and collect evidence only when the possibility exists that evidence will be destroyed, contaminated, or lost. D. Identification and Preliminary Interviews: Officers should begin to identify and conduct preliminary interviews of the following people: 1. Fire Rescue personnel. 2. Bystanders (even if they say they did not observe anything). 3. Witnesses (keep separated). 4. Neighbors (canvass the area). 5. Suspects will be identified and secured but not be interviewed or read Miranda rights. However, any unsolicited statements made by the suspect will be documented. E. Incident Reports and Supplements: Officers who respond to the scene will discuss their findings with the responding Detective and document their actions on a Supplemental Report. An Incident Report will only be completed when directed by the investigating Detective. F. Supervisor Responsibilities: The on-scene Supervisor will be in charge of a homicide investigation until relieved by an Investigative Services Section Supervisor. SOP 247 Death Investigations Page 5 of 12  The first responding Supervisor will: 1. Ensure the crime scene is protected from outside sources. 2. Establish an inner perimeter surrounded with crime scene tape for identification. 3. Assign “Protecting” Officers to provide security for the crime scene. The “Protecting” Officers will be responsible for: a. Preventing unauthorized admission into the crime scene. b. Starting and maintaining a Crime Scene Admission Log until the crime scene is resolved. At any crime scene, all persons will be required to sign the Log prior to admission into the crime scene. c. Issue latex gloves and protective footwear to each person entering the crime scene. These gloves will be worn at all times within the crime scene perimeter. 4. Ensure compliance with relevant Departmental SOP’s. G. Homicide Unit Detective The responding Homicide Unit Detective is responsible for: 1. Directing the actions of Officers and Crime Scene Technicians. 2. Requesting additional assistance. 3. Conferring with Supervisors. 4. Gathering preliminary investigative information from assisting Officers. H. Investigative Services Section Supervisor: The responding Investigative Services Section Supervisor is responsible for the following: 1. Relieving the Patrol Supervisor of crime scene responsibility. 2. Notifying his Lieutenant. 3. Detective assignments. 4. Ensuring the integrity of the crime scene and thoroughness of the investigation to include, but not limited to: a. Notifying and coordinating with the Crime Scene Supervisor. b. Canvassing for witnesses and/or video surveillance equipment. d. Questioning all witnesses and obtaining statements. e. Processing the scene and the collection of evidence. 5. Liaison with the State Attorney’s Homicide Unit, F.D.L.E., F.B.I., or any other resource, as necessary. IV. SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE REQUIREMENTS A. Suicide: Suicides can occur from a variety of methods. However, some have specific requirements as follows: 1. Suicide by Hanging: a. A Crime Scene Technician will photograph the body and ligature in the position found by the Officer. c. After the Medical Examiner Investigator has authorized the removal of the body, the ligature will be cut by a Crime Scene Technician in the presence of a Detective and placed into property. SOP 247 Death Investigations Page 6 of 12  d. The ligature will not be cut or untied at the knot or tie points. 2. Suicide by Overdose: If it is determined that the death was drug-induced, corroborated by the presence of medicine containers, record the information on the label and place the medicine into property as evidence. The medicine must be documented in all police reports. 3. Suicide by Carbon Monoxide: Officers should utilize Fire Rescue to discontinue the source of the toxic substance to avoid accidental exposure. Officers should advise Fire Rescue to extinguish the contaminant source by methods other than the one the victim probably initiated to preserve fingerprints (i.e., disconnect the battery instead of turning off the key to a car, avoid touching switches or knobs, etc.). B. In-Custody Death: If a subject dies while being taken into custody, while in custody, or prior to booking, the following procedures will be followed: 1. A Patrol Sergeant will respond to ensure: a. Notification of the On-Duty Shift Lieutenant. b. Notification of the Homicide Unit Detective and Supervisor. c. Crime Scene Technician response. d. Witness identification. e. Scene Security. f. Evidence collection. 2. The Shift Lieutenant will respond to ensure: a. Notification of the Staff Duty Officer who will notify the Chief of Police. b. Notification to Internal Affairs Lieutenant c. Notification of the Public Information Officer. d. Notification to the F.D.L.E. Fusion Center (800) 342-0820 or (850) 410-7645. 3. F.D.L.E will investigate all Police in-custody deaths. The Homicide Unit Sergeant will coordinate the Investigative Services Section resources in concert with F.D.L.E. Investigators. The Homicide Unit Supervisor will complete the OCJG “Death in Custody Questionnaire” (see Appendix D.) and email a copy of the form to [email protected]. V. NATURAL DEATHS In addition to the procedures outlined in Section II, General Death Scene Protocol, if the death appears to be of natural causes, the responding Officer will implement the following protocol. A. Examination of the Decedent: Officers will physically examine all parts of the decedent’s body to determine the following: 1. Evidence of observable trauma such as: a. Wounds or marks on the skin. b. Unusual bleeding or discoloration of the skin. c. Puncture marks. d. Discoloration of the eyes to suggest strangulation. b. Is lividity consistent with the position of the body? c. Rigor Mortis present? SOP 247 Death Investigations Page 7 of 12  d. Identification of the victim to include Social Security Number. e. Jewelry and valuables that can be easily removed from the body. B. Examination of the Residence or Area: Officers will physically examine the residence or surrounding area to locate the following: 1. Next of kin: a. By contacting friends, neighbors, attending physicians and hospitals. b. Reviewing personal articles and address books. 2. Medications prescribed and recorded as the following: (a) Type. (b) Name. (c) Dosage. (d) Date prescribed. (e) Prescribing Physician’s name. (f) Prescribed controlled substances will be submitted to the Property & Evidence Unit for destruction. (see SOP 270, section V. H. 3.) 3. Attending physicians. 4. Positive Identification of the victim. 5. Pets that may require aftercare. 6. Jewelry, currency, or other valuables that may need to be secured in property. C. Contacting the Attending Physician: Officers will contact the attending physician to establish if a physician has recently treated the decedent. If so, document: 1. The decedent’s medical history, known medical problems, and length of illness. 2. If the Physician will sign the Death Certificate. D. Contacting the Medical Examiner’s Office: If a doctor refuses to sign the Death Certificate, the death becomes a Medical Examiner’s case, and the officer must contact the Medical Examiner’s Office by phone. In the event of an apparent natural death at home when: 1. The patient has been under the care of a physician licensed in the State of Florida to practice medicine and 2. A law enforcement officer at the home has spoken to the physician, and 3. The physician states that they will sign the death certificate and 4. The law enforcement officer states that no foul play is suspected. Such deaths will be reported to the Medical Examiner's Office via the “Attended Death Report” form” (see Appendix B) following the release of the body to the funeral home. The completed form will be emailed to the Medical Examiner’s Office at [email protected] prior to the end of the shift. Attended Death Report forms can be accessed and submitted via Attended Death Report Form - Natural Deaths Only SOP 247 Death Investigations Page 8 of 12  E. Hospice Care: Officers will not usually be called to the scene of a natural death where the decedent was a participant in the Hospice Program; however: 1. If an Officer is called to the scene, he will confirm that the decedent was part of the hospice program and that the death was not caused from suspicious or purposeful causes. If either fact cannot be confirmed, the Officer will investigate the death in accordance with the proper procedures. 2. The Medical Examiner’s Office does not need to be contacted in cases of natural death where the decedent was a part of the hospice program. F. Nursing Homes: Officers will respond to all sudden, unexpected deaths at a nursing home facility. 1. The responding Officer will handle the death per the procedures outlined in Section II, General Death Scene Protocol, and Section V. Natural Deaths. VI. ON-SCENE PROCEDURES A. Removal of Decedent: When the death does not require the Medical Examiner’s services, the decedent’s family has not made prior arrangements, or the family is unable to make decisions at the time, the Officer on scene will contact the County Contracted Body Removal Service through the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office. 1. Officers have the authority to order an emergency removal of a body when the health and safety of the public or emergency responders is in jeopardy. The Medical Examiner's Office will be notified immediately of this action. 2. The Crime Scene Unit will respond to photograph the body prior to removal. B. Securing Property at the Scene of a Death: Prior to the removal of the body, all items except clothing will be removed from the decedent. Items removed will be inventoried and documented on a Hollywood Police Property Form. A copy of the Property Form will be left in the dwelling. 1. Decedent Residing Alone: If the decedent resided alone, tangible personal property valued at $1000.00 or more observed in plain view, such as jewelry or currency, will be taken into custody for safekeeping. a. After the decedent has been removed and before departing the scene, Officers will close and lock all doors and windows. b. The City’s contracted vendor will be requested to secure the residence should Officers be unable to do so. c. The Officer will advise the decedent’s next of kin that the Police Department has secured the scene but cannot assume any liability for the items remaining in the residence. d. The next of kin will be advised if tangible personal property was removed from the scene and stored in the Department’s Property and Evidence Unit. 2. Decedent Residing with Another Person Not Related to the Decedent: If the decedent resided with another person who is not a spouse or blood relative as defined in the Definitions Section of this SOP, the Officer will: a. Conduct a cursory plain view search of the residence’s interior for tangible personal property that is not a fixture of the residence, i.e., jewelry or cash. b. Tangible personal property with a value of $1000.00 or more will be secured and placed into the Property and Evidence Unit for safekeeping. SOP 247 Death Investigations Page 9 of 12  3. Decedent Residing with a Blood Relative or Spouse: If the decedent resided with a Spouse or other blood relative, possessions found upon the decedent or inside the residence can be left in the residence or placed in the care and custody of the relative. VII. NOTIFYING NEXT OF KIN: A. Next of Kin: Officers will attempt to locate and notify next of kin in the following order: 1. Surviving spouse; 2. Adult children; 3. Parents; 4. Adult siblings; 5. Next degree of kinship (i.e., grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc.) B. Notification within the City: The following procedures will be followed when notifying a decedent’s next of kin within the City limits. 1. When the next of kin of a deceased or gravely injured person lives in Hollywood, the assigned Member and a Supervisor will make all notifications in person, whenever possible. 2. The Department Member making the notification should have as much information as possible to enable them to carry out the notification in a professional and considerate manner. 3. A Supervisor may consider utilizing the services of a Police Chaplain or Victim Advocate to assist in the notification process. 4. In instances where the decedent’s family is at the hospital, the Member and hospital personnel will make notification in the hospital’s “family room.” 5. Members will provide support and assistance to next of kin as necessary. 6. Supervisory Personnel will ensure that every reasonable effort has been made to notify the next of kin. C. Notification Outside the City: When notifying a victim’s next of kin outside the City limits, the following procedures will be followed. 1. When the next of kin of a deceased or gravely injured person lives outside the City of Hollywood, and person-to-person contact is impractical, the notification may be accomplished via the next of kin’s local Law Enforcement Agency. a. The Member will instruct the Teletype Operator to transmit a message to the respective Law Enforcement Agency, requesting that the Agency contact the Member. b. The Member may either request that the local Officer make the notification, or c. The Member may request that the local Officer have the next of kin contact them directly for notification purposes. 2. If a victim’s next of kin cannot be contacted, the hospital or Medical Examiner’s Office will be apprised of such. 3. The Member will ensure that the details concerning the notification are included in the accompanying Police report. SOP 247 Death Investigations Page 10 of 12  D. Notification Requests from Outside Agencies. When the Communications Center receives a request from another Law Enforcement Agency or hospital to conduct a next of kin notification: 1. Communications Personnel will advise the requesting Agency to transmit the request via Teletype to confirm the accuracy and legitimacy of the request. Teletype will record the following information: a. Requesting Agency information: Officer’s name, telephone number. b. Next of Kin information: Name, address, telephone number, and relationship to the victim. c. Victim information, if a direct notification is requested. 2. Ascertain if the Agency is requesting this Department to complete a direct notification of the victim’s condition or notification to have the next of kin contact the requesting Agency for further details. 3. The Member will make the appropriate notification and render additional assistance and support to the next of kin, as necessary (contact the family’s clergy, medical assistance; assist in contacting other next of kin). 4. The Member will advise the Communications Center if notification attempts were successful or unsuccessful. VIII. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS: The following report procedures will be required: A. Incident Report: An Incident Report will be dictated as a priority. 1. If Fire Rescue disturbed the scene prior to Police arrival, those personnel will be identified, questioned, and their actions noted in the Report. 2. Indicate in the Report if the next of kin was notified. Document their relationship, name, and contact information. Indicate if there is a need for the Investigative Services Section to follow up on the notification. 3. Indicate in the report the names of the Medical Examiners Investigator and County’s Body Removal Services personnel that were utilized. 4. In those instances where the investigation has not been concluded, Officers will classify any reports filed regarding the incident as DEATH only. B. Office of Medical Examiner & Trauma Services Investigation Report: This report will be completed by the Officer responsible for the investigation and provided to the Medical Examiner’s Office (see Appendix B). IX. DEFINITIONS: A. BLOOD RELATIVE: For the purposes of this SOP, a Blood Relative is defined as any of the following: Mother Father Grandfather Grandmother Sister Brother SOP 247 Death Investigations Page 11 of 12  Adult Children B. HOMICIDE: The killing of a human being by another human being. C. HOSPICE PROGRAM: A program of caring for terminally ill people so that a person may live the last days of life fully, with dignity, and in comfort, at home, or in a home-like setting. D. MEDICAL EXAMINER’S CASE: Any death that falls under Florida State Statute relegating jurisdiction to the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office for disposition. E. SUICIDE: Any act taken by a person in an attempt to end their life, which results in death to the person. F. UNATTENDED DEATH: Any death that occurs outside of a medical facility, nursing home, hospice care, or when no Physician licensed in the State of Florida will sign the Death Certificate. G. IN-CUSTODY DEATH: In accordance with the Death in Custody Reporting Act (DCRA), which requires states and federal law enforcement agencies to report certain information to the Attorney General regarding the death of any person during interactions with law enforcement officers or while in custody. A reportable death is any death – including deaths attributed to suicide, accident, or natural causes that occurred during interactions with law enforcement personnel or while the decedent was in custody, under supervision, or under the jurisdiction of a state or local law enforcement or correctional agency. ATTACHMENTS: Appendix A: Crime Scene Admission Log. Appendix B: Office of Medical Examiner & Trauma Services Investigation Report. Appendix C: Office of Medical Examiner & Trauma Services Natural Death Report Appendix D: Office of Criminal Justice Grants Death in Custody Questionnaire SOP 247 Death Investigations Page 12 of 12  Case #_____________ HOLLYWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT CRIME SCENE ADMISSION LOG Assigned Officer:__________________ Lead Detective:__________________ Date:___________ Time:____________ Location:________________________ Date Name Agency/Dept. Reason for Entry Time Time Unit/Section In Out Note: A Crime Scene Log(s) will be used at all Crime Scenes, without exception. 1 247 Appendix A  Office of the Medical Examiner & Trauma Services Investigation Report Name of the Deceased: ______________________________________ DOB: __________Age: __________ Race: _________ Sex: _______ Address: _________________________________________________________________Phone No.: ______________________________ Social Security No.: ____________________ Identified By: DL ☐ ID Card ☐ DAVID ☐ PICS ☐ Individual Name: ______________________ Occupation: ________________________________________________ Marital Status: ☐ Never Married ☐ Married ☐ Divorced ☐ Widow Name of Next-of-Kin: ________________________________________ NOK Relationship: _______________________________________ NOK Address: ______________________________________________ NOK Phone No.: _________________________________________ NOK Notified: Yes ☐ No ☐ by Whom: __________________________ Date/Time Notified: ___________________ at ________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date Last Seen Alive: ___________ Time: _________ by Whom: ___________________________ Phone No.: _______________________ Location Last Seen/Known to be Alive: _________________________________________________________________________________ Date Found:___________________ Time: _________ by Whom: ___________________________ Phone No.: _______________________ Location of Death: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Position Found In: ____________________________ Time of Death:_________________Pronounced by: __________________________ Incident Location: _________________________________________________________________ Did death occur at work: Yes ☐ No ☐ Circumstances of Death/Describe Scene: What the deceased was doing prior to death. If in a vehicle or traffic fatality, see back side of sheet. Possible Manner of Death: Suicide ☐ Homicide ☐ Accident ☐ Natural ☐ Undetermined ☐ If SUICIDE, is there a note: Yes ☐ No ☐ Is the book Final Exit present: Yes ☐ No ☐ Prior Suicidal Ideations/Suicidal Attempts: Yes ☐ No ☐ Baker Acts: Yes ☐ No ☐ Marchman Acts: Yes ☐ No ☐ Facility and Date: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Weapon Information Unknown ☐ Handgun ☐ Revolver☐ Caliber or Gauge: _____________________ Rifle ☐ Semi-Auto ☐ Barrel length in inches: _________________ Shotgun ☐ Full Auto ☐ Shotgun Barrel length in inches: _________ Make/Model Weapon: _____________________________________________________________ Serial Number: ____________________ Which hand does the decedent use to shoot a gun: Left ☐ Right ☐ Does the decedent have experience with a gun: Yes ☐ No ☐ Knife Blade: Single ☐ Double ☐ Serrated ☐ Blade length in inches:__________ Rope ☐ Glass ☐ Other ☐, Specify: _____________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Physical Observations Lividity: Yes ☐ No ☐ Lividity Consistent with Position: Yes ☐ No ☐ Rigor Mortis: None ☐ Slight ☐ Full ☐ Body Temperature: Cool ☐ Cold ☐ Warm ☐ Hot ☐ Decomposition: None ☐ Still Identifiable ☐ Not Identifiable ☐ Skeleton ☐ Skin Slippage ☐ Bone Exposure ☐ Insects ☐ Trauma: Yes ☐ No ☐ Describe:_______________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Clothing: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Medical Information Medical History: Medications (Name/Quantity/Remaining/Prescriber Name): OMETS 032016 1 247 Appendix B.  Office of the Medical Examiner & Trauma Services Investigation Report Name of Physician: _________________________________________ Phone No.: _____________________________________________ Name of Physician: __________________________________________ Phone No.: _____________________________________________ Pharmacy: _________________________________________________ Phone No.: _____________________________________________ Pharmacy: _________________________________________________ Phone No.: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ If deceased was in crash, provide the following information Are CRIMINAL CHARGES PENDING ☐ YES ☐ NO Veh. 1 Yr: __________ Make: ___________________________ Model:_______________________ 2 Door ☐ 4 Door ☐ Other: __________ Traveling on: _________________________ Direction: ____________________ Posted Speed: _________ Speed a Factor: Yes ☐ No ☐ Seat Belt: Yes ☐ No ☐ Helmet: Yes ☐ No ☐ Ejected: Yes ☐ No ☐ Veh. 2 Yr: __________ Make: ___________________________ Model:_______________________ 2 Door ☐ 4 Door ☐ Other __________ Traveling on: _________________________ Direction: ____________________ Posted Speed: _________ Speed a Factor: Yes ☐ No ☐ Seat Belt: Yes ☐ No ☐ Helmet: Yes ☐ No ☐ Ejected: Yes ☐ No ☐ If deceased was in vehicle (non-crash), provide the following information Veh. Yr: ___________ Make: ___________________________ Model:_______________________ 2 Door ☐ 4 Door ☐ Other: __________ Was the car running: Yes ☐ No ☐ Position of Windows: Up ☐ Down ☐ Other: ________________________________________ CO Level: ______ % Date CO Level Collected: ________ Time CO Level Collected:_______Agency Obtaining CO Level: _________________ Location of Keys: _______________________________ If in ignition, position of ignition switch: Off ☐ On ☐ On (Acc)☐ On (Acc & Ign)☐ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sketch of Crash Scene (Not to Scale) Police Information Investigating Agency: _________________________________ Case No.: ______________________________________________________ Report Submitted By: _________________________________ Badge No.: ____________________________________________________ Detective: __________________________________________ Crime Scene Detective: __________________________________________ Phone No.: _________________________________________ Date Submitted: ______________________ Time: ____________________ OMETS 032016 Submit via E-Mail 2 247 Appendix B.  Office of the Medical Examiner & Trauma Services Natural Death Report Name of the Deceased: ______________________________________ DOB: __________Age: __________ Race: _________ Sex: _______ Address: _________________________________________________________________Phone No.: ______________________________ Social Security No.: ____________________ Identified By: DL ☐ ID Card ☐ DAVID ☐ PICS ☐ Individual Name: ______________________ Name of Next-of-Kin: ________________________________________ NOK Relationship: _______________________________________ NOK Address: ______________________________________________ NOK Phone No.: _________________________________________ NOK Notified: Yes ☐ No ☐ by Whom: __________________________ Date/Time Notified: ___________________ at ________________ Funeral Home/Storage: _____________________________________________ Phone No.: ______________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Location of Death: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date Last Seen Alive: ___________ Time: _________ by Whom: ___________________________ Location: _________________________ Date Found:___________________ Time: _________ by Whom: ___________________________ Location: _________________________ Position Found In: ____________________________ Time of Death:_________________Pronounced by: __________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Medical Information Medical History: Medications (Name/Quantity/Remaining/Prescriber Name): Recent Health Complaints (chest pains, shortness of breath, fatigue, etc.): ____________________________________________________ Certifying Florida Physician Primary Care Doctor: ________________________________________ Phone No.: _____________________________________________ Specialist Doctor: ___________________________________________ Phone No.: _____________________________________________ Doctor _______________________ willing to sign Death Certificate for Natural Causes. If no, reason? _____________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ Call M.E. if unwilling to sign _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Physical Observations Lividity: Yes ☐ No ☐ Lividity Consistent with Position: Yes ☐ No ☐ Rigor Mortis: None ☐ Slight ☐ Full ☐ Body Temperature: Cool ☐ Cold ☐ Warm ☐ Hot ☐ Clothing: ______________________________________________________ Decomposition: None ☐ Still Identifiable ☐ Not Identifiable ☐ Skeleton ☐ Skin Slippage ☐ Bone Exposure ☐ Insects ☐ If decomposed, was identification made: Yes ☐ No ☐ If NO, call M.E. to report death Recent Falls: Yes ☐ No ☐ If yes, when and where: _______________________________________________________________________ Did the fall result in trauma (fractured bones or internal bleeding): Yes ☐ No ☐ Describe: _______________________________________ If there is any trauma, call M.E. to report death Recent hospital or urgent care visits: Yes ☐ No ☐ When and where: ________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Narrative (Description of events surrounding the death): _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Police Information Investigating Agency: _________________________________ Case No.: ______________________________________________________ Report Submitted By: _________________________________ Badge No.: ____________________________________________________ Detective: __________________________________________ Crime Scene Detective: __________________________________________ Phone No.: _________________________________________ Date Submitted: ______________________ Time: ____________________ OMETS 042216 1 247 Appendix C.  Office of the Medical Examiner & Trauma Services Natural Death Report This form is to be completed ONLY on apparent natural deaths where there are no signs of trauma, foul play, history of drug abuse, suicidal ideations, suspicious circumstances, and there is a Certified Florida Physician willing to sign the death certificate for natural causes. The Medical Examiner's Office MUST be called and investigate the following deaths: Florida Statues 406.11 (1) In any of the following circumstances involving the death of a human being, the medical examiner of the district in which the death occurred or the body was found shall determine the cause of death and shall, for that purpose, make or have performed such examinations, investigations, and autopsies as he or she shall deem necessary or as shall be requested by the state attorney: (a) When any person dies in the state: Of criminal violence. By accident. By suicide. Suddenly, when in apparent good health. Unattended by a practicing physician or other recognized practitioner. In any prison or penal institution. In police custody. In any suspicious or unusual circumstance. By criminal abortion. By poison. By disease constituting a threat to public health. By disease, injury, or toxic agent resulting from employment. 2. When a dead body is brought into the state without proper medical certification. 3. When a body is to be cremated, dissected, or buried at sea. Florida Statues 406.12 Duty to report; prohibited acts.—It is the duty of any person in the district where a death occurs, including all municipalities and unincorporated and federal areas, who becomes aware of the death of any person occurring under the circumstances described in s. 406.11 to report such death and circumstances forthwith to the district medical examiner. Any person who knowingly fails or refuses to report such death and circumstances, who refuses to make available prior medical or other information pertinent to the death investigation, or who, without an order from the office of the district medical examiner, willfully touches, removes, or disturbs the body, clothing, or any article upon or near the body, with the intent to alter the evidence or circumstances surrounding the death, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. History.—s. 7, ch. 70-232; s. 353, ch. 71-136. Attending Physician: In s. 382.011(1), F. S., a death occurring more than 12 months after the decedent was last treated by a physician, except where death was medically expected as certified by an attending physician, should be reported to the medical examiner. It is presumed if a physician is treating a patient and prescribing prescription(s) for a medical condition, this physician is “attending”, even though the patient has not been seen by the physician in the last 12 months. A physician covering for an absent colleague has access to the patient’s medical records and can also be considered as attending. Pursuant to s.406.11, F.S., the medical examiner is responsible for the medical certification of cause of death in those cases where the death is unattended by a physician. Law Enforcement: If the death does not fall under Florida Statue 406.11, complete this form to its entirety including the narrative section with the following information: Events prior to death/last known alive, events how the decedent was discovered, position of body and observations (rigor mortis, livor mortis), medical complaints, and pertinent witness or family information surrounding the death. Law Enforcement Officers may attach their police report with completed narrative to this form. Submit this form via e-mail [email protected] or fax to 954-327-6581 Submit via e-mail 2 247 Appendix C. OMETS 042216  Upon completion, email a Death in Custody copy of this form to: Questionnaire [email protected] Agency Reporting: Reporting Period: Pursuant to the Death in Custody Act (DCRA), state and local law enforcement or correctional agencies must identify all reportable in-custody deaths that occurred in their jurisdictions during the reporting period. Please complete this form for each reportable death. I. DECENDENT INFORMATION A. What was the name of the deceased? Last Name: First Name: Middle Name: B. What was the deceased’s gender? Male Female Other gender identity C. What was the deceased’s race? (Select all that apply) American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Black or African American Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander White Unknown D. What was the deceased’s ethnicity? Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin Not of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin Unknown E. What was the deceased’s birth year? (If unknown, please enter “9999”) II. DECENDENT DEATH INFORMATION A. What was the deceased’s date of death and time of death? Date of Death (MM-DD-YYYY) Time of Death (24-hour clock) B. Where was the location of the deceased’s death? Location Name (if applicable). This could be the name of a facility, place of business, or other designation for the location of death: Street Address: City: State (postal abbreviation): Zip: Page 1 of 2 Death in Custody Questionnaire OCJG (rev. 05/21) 247 Appendix D.  Upon completion, email a Death in Custody copy of this form to: Questionnaire [email protected] III. DECENDENT DEATH INFORMATION CONTINUED C. What type of facility did the death occur in? Municipal or county jail State Prison State-run boot camp prison Contracted boot camp prison Any state or local contract facility Other local or state correctional facility (to include any juvenile facilities) None of the above IV. DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY INFORMATION A. Name of the department or agency that detained, arrested, or was in the process of arresting the deceased: V. MANNER OF DEATH INFORMATION A. Please indicate the manner of death (Mark only one). Execution Accident Death attributed to use of force by a law enforcement or corrections officer Homicide (e.g., an incident between two or more incarcerated individuals resulting in a death) Natural causes Suicide Unavailable, investigation pending (Please report the agency conducting the investigation and list an approximate end date.) Other (Please explain): VI. CIRCUMSTANCE DESCRIPTION A. Please provide a brief description of the circumstances leading to the death (e.g., details surrounding an event that may have led to the death, the number and affiliation of any parties involved in the incident, the location and characteristics of the incident, other contact related to the death, etc.). If unknown, state “Unknown.” Page 2 of 2 Death in Custody Questionnaire OCJG (rev. 05/21) 247 Appendix D.