This series will provide insight into the death investigation process—outlining the critical steps that take place before biohazard professionals are permitted to enter and restore the affected area. Understanding these procedures ensures transparency and awareness of the necessary legal and investigative protocols that precede biohazard cleanup efforts.
Initial Notification and Response Determination
When a death is reported, the initial notification typically comes from law enforcement, first responders, or healthcare providers. From there, several important steps take place.
Documentation of the Initial Death Report
Upon receiving a death notification, a Medicolegal Death Investigator (MDI) is responsible for collecting and documenting crucial details. These may include the reporting agency details; the name and contact information of the reporting individual; the associated law enforcement case number or hospital medical record number; the decedent’s demographic information, such as name, date of birth, age, race, ethnicity, biological sex, and/or gender; the suspected cause and manner of death; relevant medical history and a summary of the terminal events; and any known scene safety concerns. Accurate documentation by an MDI is crucial for a thorough and legally sound investigation.
Determining Medicolegal Jurisdiction
The investigator assesses the case to determine whether the death falls under medicolegal jurisdiction. Deaths that generally require medicolegal authority include suspected or confirmed homicides, suspected or apparent suicides, accidental deaths, the discovery of skeletal remains, unnatural or unexpected deaths of infants or children, deaths occurring while in police custody, and natural deaths where no primary care provider is available to sign the death certificate. If the death is determined to be from a clearly documented natural cause and an authorized individual is available to sign the death certificate, the case may be released from medicolegal jurisdiction. In such cases, the MDI must document the criteria used for releasing the case, record the name of the individual and agency to whom the case was released, and ensure that a coroner, medical examiner, or trained personnel reviews and approves the decision.
Evaluating the Need for a Scene Response
If the death falls under medicolegal jurisdiction, the MDI is responsible for determining whether to respond to the scene, based on agency policies and procedures. Whenever possible, the MDI should visit the scene in person. If an on-site response is not feasible, the MDI must document the time and details of the body’s removal authorization and ensure that law enforcement or investigative agencies obtain comprehensive photographs and videos. While a scene response is always preferred, if circumstances prevent it, proper documentation and collaboration with responding agencies are crucial.
Preparation and Collaboration for a Safe Response
Once jurisdiction has been accepted, the MDI ensures that all appropriate agencies are notified and that preparations are made for a safe, effective, and coordinated scene response.
Preparation includes obtaining information about the state of the scene and the body before arrival and identifying potential hazards, such as weather conditions, weapons, or environmental dangers. It also includes being aware of chemical, biological, radiological, or explosive threats, as well as scene security concerns like animals or physical obstructions. The MDI must determine any required special handling procedures and identify necessary personnel.
Collaboration involves coordination between MDIs and various agencies. These include law enforcement and forensic pathologists, crime lab personnel and district attorneys, public health officials and emergency management teams, organ and tissue procurement agencies, as well as funeral homes and body transport services. A well-coordinated response ensures a thorough investigation and allows for a smooth transition to the next phase.
If you’ve made it this far, then you may be interested in what happens next when the MDI arrives on the death scene.
