1. CORONER DEATH SCENE INVESTIGATIONS
John E. Stanley D-abmdi
Dane County Coroner
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2. TEAM EFFORT Community Media Insurance Investigators Specialty Labs
Coroner
District Attorney
Emergency Medical Services
Fire Service
Law Enforcement
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3. CORONERS OFFICE Forensic Pathologist Forensic Anthropologist
Forensic Odontologist
Medical Imaging
Toxicology Laboratories
DNA Analysis
Psychological Autopsy
Subpoena Powers
Medical Detectives
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4. DEATH INVESTIGATION COMPONENTS
Response
Overview
Pronouncement
Identification
Information Gathering
Notification to Next-of-Kin
Removal of body
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5. DEATH INVESTIGATION COMPONENTS
Medical Examination
Cause & Manner of Death Ruling
Documentation
Testimony
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6. RESPONSE Dispatch Information Location Type of incident
correct address
special instructions
Type of incident
natural
other
traffic crash
personal attack
fire/drowning/exposure/drugs
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7. RESPONSE Preplanning Mentally review protocols
Consider special equipment/resource needs
Anticipate incident specific problems
Evaluate time factors
Early notice to back-up personnel
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8. OVERVIEW Approaching the scene Is the scene safe?
Environmental hazards
gases
chemicals
biohazards
cave-in
wind
thin ice
falling ice
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9. OVERVIEW Man-made hazards moving traffic (rubber-necking)
electrocution from energized lines or equipment
structural collapse
equipment still under power or load
firearms
explosion (drug labs, terrorists
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10. OVERVIEW People hazards domestic violence unknown assailant at scene
revenge attacks (gang or family)
suicide by police
booby-traps
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11. OVERVIEW Brief with Law Enforcement/Fire Service
communicate with officers in charge
identify relatives at the scene
determine police/fire concerns
discuss preservation of evidence
plan access to the body
document initial observations
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12. PRONOUNCEMENT OF DEATH
A legal determination having significant implications!
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13. PRONOUNCEMENT OF DEATH
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Visual examination of body & surroundings
Physical examination of body
Stethoscope
Tactile (pertaining to sense of touch)
Olfactory (pertaining to sense of smell)
Consider EMS interventions
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14. IDENTIFICATION Tentative? Photo ID comparison
Visual ID by family, friends or others
Personal property
Professional body markings
Jewelry
Body piercing
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15. IDENTIFICATION Positive! Fingerprints Dental Medical Imaging DNA
Surgical Implants
pumps
electronics
ortho devices
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16. IDENTIFICATION Positive!
Unique combinations of body markings and/or deformities.
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17. IDENTIFICATION
ALL bodies should have an identification device attached.
In multiple fatality incidents, a description of the body and location found should be attached at the time of recovery.
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18. INFORMATION GATHERING
Who?
What?
Why?
When?
Where?
How?
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19. INFORMATION GATHERING
In addition to families, attorneys and insurance companies, many agencies may have an interest in our information.
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20. INFORMATION GATHERING
Sources of Information
Family and friends
Local law enforcement
Fire Service & EMS
Hospital & clinic medical records
Primary care physician and nurse
Military service records
Human resources & public health records
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21. NOTIFICATION OF NEXT-OF-KIN
Treat them as you would want to be treated
Make notification in person when possible
an opportunity to collect information
health & safety of the recipient may decline
Others that may assist in notifications
law enforcement
clergy
coroners & medical examiners
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22. REMOVAL OF BODY Funeral Director from funeral home
Contract Trade Service
Coroner or Medical Examiner
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23. REMOVAL OF BODY
Treat the body with dignity & respect that you would want for your relative.
Request additional help if necessary for lifting or carrying.
Recognize and honor unique cultural rights and traditions
Maintain chain-of-evidence in cases of unexplained, unusual or suspicious events.
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24. MEDICAL EXAMINATION Why order an autopsy?
Determine the medical Cause of Death
Identify characteristics of heredity
Rule out medical causes of death
Establish a legal degree of medical certainty
Corroborate the Manner of Death ruling
Collect & preserve evidence
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25. MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Plan ahead for what you think that you will need at the autopsy.
Consider special needs:
Anthropology
Odontology
Sane Nurse
Equipment
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26. MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Discuss how and where you want to handle toxicology analysis.
Discuss the necessary information and authorization for release of the body to a funeral home.
Be prepared for cases where no anatomical cause for death is found at autopsy.
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27. MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Law enforcement & fire service briefed about the time and place of autopsy.
Determine whether they will need evidence collection assistance from the crime lab.
Coordinate eye, bone & tissue donations with the pathologist.
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28. MANNER & CAUSE OF DEATH RULING -
The most reasonable determination based upon available information!
Based on facts supported by your gathering of information.
A legal determination that may undergo a challenge during court proceedings.
Sometimes you are the bearer of an unwanted truth.
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29. DOCUMENTATION
Currently there is no standardized death investigation report in the State of WI
This is a written record that supports the Manner & Cause of Death ruling.
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30. TESTIMONY
You may be subpoenaed to testify in either a criminal or civil court case.
Your testimony represents an unbiased investigation of the decedent’s demise.
Be careful to keep your statements within the facts that you have established, and guard against unsupported speculation.
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31. RELATED ISSUES Legal Next-of-Kin Personal Property Medications
Unclaimed/Unidentified Bodies
Release of Information
Personal Health
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32. You Know it’s the end, when....
The CNN crew arrives at your office, or
You are given the opportunity to be creative in meeting the challenges of a changing budget & staffing environment!
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