Description

In patrol response to child death scenes we cover the following topics:

• Scene preservation: The importance of securing and preserving the scene to prevent contamination or destruction of evidence.
• Initial assessment: The initial assessment of the scene, including observations about the victim, the environment, and any potential witnesses or suspects.
• Collection of evidence: The proper methods for collecting and preserving physical evidence, such as fingerprints, DNA samples, trace and transient evidence.
• Interviews and interrogations: The importance of conducting thorough interviews and interrogations of witnesses, family members, and potential suspects.
• Documentation: The proper documentation of the scene, including the use of photographs, 360-degree LiDAR, diagrams, and written notes.
• Collaboration with other agencies: The importance of working with other agencies, such as medical examiners, forensic labs, and child protective services, to ensure a comprehensive investigation is completed on multiple fronts.
• Using the trauma-informed approach: The importance of taking a trauma-informed approach when working with families and other individuals affected by a child death.
• Legal considerations: An understanding of the legal considerations involved in investigating child deaths, including the Fourth Amendment, Miranda rights, and the requirements for obtaining search warrants and arrest warrants.
• Ethics and professionalism: The importance of maintaining ethical and professional standards in the investigation of child deaths, including the responsibility to treat all parties involved with respect and dignity.