IT IS THE JOB OF DETECTIVES AND INVESTIGATORS TO CONNECT THE PIECES OF A CRIME SCENE PUZZLE, BUT ONLY AFTER ALL HAVE BEEN GATHERED AND SORTED. IN MY LAST COLUMN, I TALKED ABOUT USING A CHECKLIST TO DOCUMENT WHAT YOU OBSERVE. EVERYTHING YOU SEE AT A CRIME SCENE IS POTENTIALLY A CRITICAL PIECE OF EVIDENCE – A CRITICAL PIECE OF THE PUZZLE.

The importance of documenting everything you observe at a death scene is crucial to eliminating questions during prosecution. I recommend the use of a checklist to keep track of the crime scene – what you observed and who was involved. Keep in mind that no matter how many pieces of the puzzle you gather and assemble, you may never have the face. The puzzle, however,may be the map that leads you to it.

I previously covered how to document the case information, scene security, and search warrant information. I also discussed the value of recording who is at the death scene and what role they fill. I talked about documenting some basic information about the scene and the weather. Now we’ll look at adding to your checklist, details about where the body is found.

Coroner Notification and Body Removal
Keep track of how and when the coroner and any associated investigators and agencies are notified of the death. Record date and time each was called and by whom, as well as when they arrived. Before the coroner is allowed into the scene, make sure all evidence that can be contaminated by his presence is collected. This includes blood spatter, foot prints, tire tracks, and shell casings. Especially if there has been a significant lapse of time between when the scene was first secured and when the coroner arrived, make sure you share with him any pertinent information that may affect his investigation, such as the weather and temperature when you first arrived. Stand by the coroner and record any remarks relevant to the case. This may include cause of death by bullet wound, knife wound, ligature marks, or beating.

When the body is ready to be moved, continue to jot in your checklist, everything that happens. Record the name of the company notified to remove the body from the scene. Who called them and when? Who authorized the body to be removed from the scene? Who actually picked up the body? When did they arrive and depart? Answers to these questions begin the documentation of the chain of custody of the body.

Continue to record that chain of custody as you note whether or not the body bag was sealed and if so, how (tape, locking tag, or some other method). Catalog the body bag seal or tag number. Record where the body will be transported (funeral home, medical examiner’s, etc.) and who made the decision. Was the body escorted? Note that by escorting the body, you will insure the chain of custody for the body and any evidence recovered from the body. If there is an escort, note the name and department.

You can also use your checklist to document basic information of the deceased, including complete name, address, phone number, date of birth, and marital status, if this information is available at the time. If not it may become available at a later time. Upon your visual inspection of the body, jot down your observations such as age, race, sex, weight, height, hair color, eye color, facial hair, and the like. Who found the body? Document as much information as possible about him or her. Include full name, address, date of birth, and phone number. The person who finds the body will most likely leave his or her prints as well as other evidence at the scene. We need to document their actions at the scene. We need to be able to filter these out as the investigation continues. Record the date and time the body was found as well as anything else relevant.

Now turn your attention to the area where the victim was found. Categorize the area by the following: structure, water, vehicle, or open area.

Body Found in a Structure
Keeping in mind that the question of jurisdiction may arise; record as much information as possible about the location. Include the type of structure where the body was found. Is it an apartment, duplex, house, garage, outbuilding, or other? Write down a brief description. Record the full address and phone number. You may need to check the phone records. Describe the structure in terms of number of rooms and how they are laid out. Does the structure have a basement; full, partial, or none?

As you document the conditions of the surroundings, you will become more investigator than recorder. I have talked about your checklist providing a means to eliminate the questions while in court. You can also use your checklist to expand your thoughts as you begin to form theories about what may have taken place. Try to determine how a suspect may have entered the structure. What is the point of entry; what is the method of entry? Are the doors or windows open? Doesit make sense that doors or windows would be open, given the weather?