Since all murders must involve the police, the following is an overview of police techniques and procedures for investigating deaths.
The ME's Responsibility in a Death Investigation (DI) - The ME is responsible for determining cause of death. A medico-legal autopsy is ordered by the ME's Office in cases of accidental, suicidal, homicidal, unattended, and/or unexpected deaths, not only to determine cause and manner of death, but also to protect society and ensure administration of justice. Sometimes microscopic, toxocological, and other special lab studies are needed. In a small percentage of cases, the cause is not determined.



The Detective's Responsibility in a DI - He also maintains a liaison with the ME. He needs to inform the ME of circumstances of death and the preliminary investigation before the autopsy. This knowledge helps the ME determine the cause and manner of death.




How a Detective Proceeds with a DI - This addresses a DI under unnatural circumstances. The determination of homicide, suicide, or accident may be a difficult problem a detective will face on occasion in his career. It calls for seasoned skill, training and experience, plus technical support from the crime lab and MEs. This list is a lengthy and invaluable from discovery to closure. A good detective follows 2 important rules. First: Despite how the death of someone appears, always treat it as a murder. If he does this, the DI will always be complete. Second: Don't make assumptions or let appearances draw the conclusions. Instead, let the information decide.

• Detectives should make every reasonable effort to arrive at the scene of a reported homicide, fatal accident, or suicide before the scene has been disturbed.
• Upon notification of death and arrival at the scene, the detective should record:
  • Time of Arrival
  • Exact Address
  • Temperature
  • Weather Conditions
  This information will be of value during the investigation and in any legal proceedings. When a detective lacks positive information, his future testimony may be vague and reduce the true value of further testimony. (Kay Howard found that out the hard way during the Pony Johnson trial.)

• Immediately upon arrival, examine the victim for any signs of life (if there's been no doctor present).
• If the victim is dying or in critical condition, try to obtain a statement and make notes of any circumstance that might permit the statement to qualify as a dying declaration (like Bayliss tried to do with Lafeld & Falsone tried to do with Grace Rivera).
• Determine the identity of the person who found the incident and of the person who made the first official report.
• Photograph the victim and the entire scene.

The Homicide Unit is responsible for investigating the following crimes:

• Criminal violence or assault
• Accidents including criminal negligence
• Vehicle, railroad, airplane, and boat accidents
• Suicides
• Drownings
• Sudden death, or death happening under any suspicious or unusual circumstances
• All deaths during confinement in jail or detention centers
• Maintains liaison with the ME's office and the District/State's Attorney and keeps files on all deaths in its jurisdiction investigated by police