AUST Criminal Justice Discussion

1. Making death notifications is a difficult task requiring sensitivity and compassion. Research, identify, and discuss training that is available for first responders and investigators. How many training programs are there? Are there enough available? Do there need to be more programs?

As the name will suggest, making death notifications do not sound like a very welcoming task to one’s audience. Hence there is the need to be fully competent in the field and trained to help reduce the trauma and shock it poses to the receivers of the notification (Ballam, 2010). With this knowledge one will assume there will be very detailed and niche training for first responders and investigators. In their survey, Stewart et al. identified that 55% of their survey group indicated they had no formal classroom training on the subject matter. Thus, lower percentages indicated formal training and some “on-the-job” training.

It is difficult to point out a specific number of trainings as most institutions have their own developed schemes for training. Very popular methods include certification seminars and online learning modules. Few offers on-the-job experiences as training. The FBI has partnered Penn State University in recent times to offer cost free webinars for law enforcement agencies on the subject matter (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2015).

Hence, it is evident to admit that there are not enough programs available. In real life situations, regular family members, friends and colleagues serve as death notifiers or bearer of the “bad news” at times. There is the need for more learning programs for first responders and investigators even to include some learning tips for the general public in handling delicate issues of the sort.

1. Research, describe, and explain the type of information you need to obtain in every death investigation and who you want to obtain that information from.

In an attempt to identify the numerous information needed in every death investigation, one can categorize them under three main factions namely, Examination, Correlation, and Interpretation.

Examination phase begins from the immediate arrival on death scene. This includes all the basic information to try and paint a picture of what had happened. Questions of the deceased personal data, when he was last seen, with whom and questions more tailored towards the death scene and type of suspected death.

Correlation, a very important phase is when the investigator needs to liaise with other agencies such as medical institutions and law enforcement agencies to obtain valuable information such as medical history, mental health history, etc. This helps build a case jacket where the investigator can compare and contrast preliminary findings (Keller, 2012).

Interpretation phase can range from questions the individual’s social history, family life, questions from next of kin and other agencies. Overall, this is where more information is obtained in order to make a full meaning of the death and draw conclusions on likely causes of death.

3. Explain what information and/or records you may need to obtain from outside agencies, other than the records YOU produce (do not include witness interviews of Next of Kin or friends on scene). Why might these records or information be important and in what type of cases?

Information from outside agencies such as medical and mental health history, crime database is important information that may not necessarily come from next of kin or friends on scene. Especially in cases of homicide or suicide, multiple people may be suspects to include next of kin or on scene friends. Hence, it is important to derive this information from more reliable sources like law enforcement agencies and medical facilities.

References:

Ballam, E. D. (2010, September 28). Death Notification Tips Minimize Trauma. Emergency and Mobile Medicine Learning Network. https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/emsworld/news/10336914/death-notification-tips-minimize-trauma

Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2015, April 28). Death Notification With Compassion. https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/death-notification-with-compassion

Keller, D. (2012, September 10). Three Stages of Death Investigation. ChicagoNow. https://www.chicagonow.com/forensics-for-you/2012/09/three-stages-of-death-investigation/

Stewart, A. E., Harris Lord, J., & Mercer, D. L. (2000). A Survey of Professionals’ Training and Experiences in Delivering Death Notifications. Death Studies, 24(7), 611-631. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481180050132811