Death Investigations

This policy provides guidelines for law enforcement response to calls involving the death of a person.

Policy: Death Investigations

Author: Chief Joseph M. Hallman

WILEAG Standard: 6.1.8

Issue Date: June 1, 2021

Reviewed Date: March 24, 2026

Revised Date: March 24, 2026

 

 

Purpose:

This policy provides guidelines for law enforcement response to calls involving the death of a person.

Policy:

The investigation of cases involving death include those ranging from natural causes to homicide.  Some causes of death may not be readily apparent and some cases differ substantially from what they appear to be initially. The importance of a thorough death investigation cannot be emphasized enough.  Death investigations shall be conducted pursuant to Wis. Stat. 979, Investigation of Deaths.

Definitions:

N/A

Procedures:

1. Law Enforcement Response
   1. When responding to a suspected death call, officers shall:
      1. Check Life Signs:  The first responsibility of the responding officer is to check for life signs and initiate resuscitation procedures if applicable.
      2. Emergency Medical Services shall be called, unless the death is obvious (e.g., the person has been decapitated or the body is decomposed). Officers are not authorized to pronounce death unless they are also a Coroner, a Deputy Coroner or an appointed Coroner Investigator.
      3. Protect and secure the scene (request mutual aid, if necessary)
      4. The Coroner shall be called in all sudden or unexpected deaths or deaths due to other than natural causes, including but not limited to the following (Wis. Stat. §979.01):
         1. All deaths in which there are unexplained, unusual or suspicious circumstances
         2. All homicides
         3. All suicides
         4. All deaths following an abortion
         5. All deaths due to poisoning, whether homicidal, suicidal or accidental
         6. All deaths following accidents, whether the injury is or is not the primary cause of death
         7. When there was no physician, or accredited practitioner of a bona fide religious denomination relying upon prayer or spiritual means for healing in attendance within 30 days preceding death
         8. When a physician refuses to sign a death certificate
         9. When, after reasonable efforts, a physician cannot be located or contacted to sign the death certificate
         10. Unidentifiable bodies
      5. A supervisor shall be notified in all death investigations.  That supervisor, as soon as possible, will contact the Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance, and the Dean of Students.
      6. Photograph the scene and all evidence
      7. Collect all information and evidence relating to the incident
      8. Create and maintain a log for anybody who enters and exits the scene.
      9. Searching dead bodies
         1. The Coroner or an assistant and authorized investigators are generally the only persons permitted to move, handle or search a body. Should exigent circumstances indicate to an officer that any other search of a known dead body is warranted prior to the arrival of the Coroner, the investigating officer shall first obtain verbal consent from the Coroner when practicable.  An officer is permitted to make a reasonable search of an individual who it is reasonable to believe is dead, or near death, for a record of anatomical gift or other information identifying the individual as a donor or as an individual who made a refusal (Wis. Stat.§157.06(12)). If a donor document is located, the Coroner shall be promptly notified. If a donor record of gift or gift refusal is located, and the individual is transported to a hospital, the person responsible for conducting the search shall send the donor record of gift or gift refusal to the hospital.  Whenever personal effects are removed from the body of the deceased by the Coroner, a receipt shall be obtained. This receipt shall be attached to the death report. (6.1.8)
      10. Witnesses will be identified, separated, and detained.  If it is not possible to detain a witness, the officer shall determine where, when, and how they can be reached at a later time.
2. Death Notification
   1. When reasonably practicable, and if not handled by the Coroner, University Police shall contact the law enforcement jurisdiction where the next-of-kin of the deceased person resides, and request that agency to make the personal notification.
   2. All efforts to locate and notify family members shall be recorded in appropriate reports and properly retained.
3. Unidentified Dead Bodies
   1. If the identity of a dead body cannot be established after the Coroner arrives, the Coroner will issue an incident number for the report.
4. Death Investigation Reporting
   1. All incidents involving a death where UWPPD responds to the scene shall be documented in a police report and remain confidential.  All documents, and photographs shall be entered into the incident and access to viewing shall be restricted to those personnel having an investigatory need, and shall not be disseminated without the approval of the Chief of Police.
5. Suspected Homicide
   1. If the initially assigned officer suspects that the death involves a homicide, any suspicious circumstances or the manner of death cannot be determined, the officer shall take steps to protect the scene.  A supervisor shall be notified to determine the possible need for assistance from an outside law enforcement agency (Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations).
6. Employment Related Deaths or Injuries
   1. Any member of this agency who responds to and determines that a death, serious illness or serious injury has occurred as a result of an accident at or in connection with the victim’s employment should ensure that the UW-Platteville Environmental Health & Safety Specialist is notified with all pertinent information.