Effective Delivery of Death Notifications and Investigations Guide
Learn about medicolegal investigations, death notification processes, and victim-centered practices in delivering death notifications. Understand the different manners of death and the role of coroners and medical examiners in determining cause of death.
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Effective Delivery of Death Notifications [date, agency/organization] This resource was produced by the OVC ELERV Fellow under 15POVC-22-GK-01519-NONF, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this resource are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Learning Objectives Describe medicolegal investigations and elements of coroner and medical examiner systems Review [State/County] and [Agency] death investigation processes Recognize victim-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally-sensitive practice examples related to death notifications Identify steps involved in death notifications Describe processes connected to death notifications Demonstrate application of death notification steps
**Content Warning** The The training training content victimization victimization. . The hear hear. . Let Let one one of of the content will The content content may the presenters presenters know will include include references may be be difficult know if if you references to to death difficult for for some you need need additional death and some participants participants to to additional support support. . and crime crime
Medicolegal Investigations Medicolegal investigation Medicolegal investigation scientific inquiry conducted under a coroner s or medical examiner s legal jurisdiction to determine the circumstances under which someone died Cause of death Cause of death the disease or injury that resulted in death Manner of death Manner of death classification for how death occurred Natural Natural due to natural disease processes Homicide Homicide due to a volitional act of another person Suicide Suicide due to intent to self-harm or cause one s own death Accident Accident due to injury with no evidence of intent to harm Undetermined Undetermined inadequate information available
Medicolegal Investigations State variances State variances Characteristics of deaths that require investigation Characteristics of deaths that require autopsy Professional and continuing education requirements for individuals carrying out investigations
Coroner Systems Elected or Appointed Elected or Appointed Personnel Personnel Required Training Coroner Responsibilities Autopsies
Medical Examiner Systems Required Training Appointed Personnel Appointed Personnel Medical Examiner Responsibilities Autopsies
National Snapshot Centralized medical examiner system Centralized medical examiner system 16 states and D.C. County County- - or district or district- -based medical examiner system based medical examiner system 6 states County County- -based system with a mixture of coroner and medical based system with a mixture of coroner and medical examiner office examiner office 14 states County County- -, district , district- -, or parish , or parish- -based coroner system based coroner system 14 states State medical examiner State medical examiner 25 states
[State/County] Death Investigations [ [enter coroner/medical examiner process enter coroner/medical examiner process] ] [ [enter coroner/medical examiner contact information enter coroner/medical examiner contact information] ]
[Agency] Death Investigations [ [enter agency processes enter agency processes] ] Types of death investigations (e.g., drownings, homicides, overdoses, Types of death investigations (e.g., drownings, homicides, overdoses, suicides, traffic fatalities, undetermined) suicides, traffic fatalities, undetermined) Units/personnel responsible for each type of death investigation Units/personnel responsible for each type of death investigation
[Agency] Death Investigations [ [enter agency processes enter agency processes] ] Scene responsibilities Scene responsibilities Patrol personnel Patrol personnel Investigators Investigators Crime scene personnel Crime scene personnel Victim services personnel Victim services personnel Other personnel (specify) Other personnel (specify)
[Agency] Death Investigations [ [enter agency processes enter agency processes] ] Identification of the decedent Identification of the decedent Verification process Verification process Communication with coroner/medical examiner Communication with coroner/medical examiner
[Agency] Death Investigations [ [enter agency processes enter agency processes] ] Investigation responsibilities Investigation responsibilities Investigators Investigators Victim services personnel Victim services personnel Communication responsibilities with those impacted by the death Communication responsibilities with those impacted by the death Investigators Investigators Victim services personnel Victim services personnel
Victim-Centered, Trauma- Informed, and Culturally- Sensitive Practices
Definitions Co Co- -victim victim an individual who has lost a loved one to homicide, including family members, other relatives, and friends of the decedent Next of Kin Next of Kin one or more persons in the nearest degree of relationship to another person denotes a person s legal status to receive information related to criminal homicide investigations and authorize transfer of the decedent s body to a funeral home or other facility Point of Contact Point of Contact an individual identified by the deceased prior to death, next of kin, co-victims, survivors, or law enforcement as the designated contact for communication.
Definitions Survivor Survivor a person who has survived an ordeal or trauma; includes both direct and indirect victims of crime. The term survivor emphasizes the strength and courage needed to survive a traumatic event. Victims Rights Victims Rights language included in constitutions, statutes, rules, and policies that vary by federal, state, or tribal jurisdiction define legal responsibilities related to victims of crime, affording them independent, participatory status in the criminal justice system.
Placing priorities, needs, and interests of those Placing priorities, needs, and interests of those served at the center of work served at the center of work Providing nonjudgmental assistance with an Providing nonjudgmental assistance with an emphasis on self emphasis on self- -determination determination Assisting those served with making informed Assisting those served with making informed choices choices Ensuring that restoring the feelings of safety Ensuring that restoring the feelings of safety and security of those served are a priority and security of those served are a priority Safeguarding against policies and practices Safeguarding against policies and practices that may retraumatize those served that may retraumatize those served Ensuring that the rights, voices, and Ensuring that the rights, voices, and perspectives of those served are incorporated perspectives of those served are incorporated Victim-Centered
Communications Communications Victim Victim Compensation Compensation Personnel Personnel Officers/Deputies Officers/Deputies Adult/Child Adult/Child Welfare Personnel Welfare Personnel Investigators Investigators Those Those Served Served Victim-Centered Prosecution Prosecution Personnel Personnel Crime Scene Crime Scene Personnel Personnel Community Community Organizations Organizations Victim Services Victim Services Personnel Personnel Health Health Professionals Professionals Media/PIO Media/PIO
Victim-Centered Practice Examples Death Notifications Victims rights Victims rights Victim Services incorporation Victim Services incorporation Honor choices and address needs Honor choices and address needs Contact location and timing Contact location and timing Support persons chosen by co Support persons chosen by co- -victims victims
Understanding the vulnerabilities and Understanding the vulnerabilities and experiences of trauma survivors, including the experiences of trauma survivors, including the prevalence and physical, social, and emotional prevalence and physical, social, and emotional impact of trauma impact of trauma Recognizing signs of trauma in staff, those Recognizing signs of trauma in staff, those served, and others and integrating knowledge served, and others and integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, about trauma into policies, procedures, practices, and settings practices, and settings Trauma-Informed Placing priority on restoring feelings of safety, Placing priority on restoring feelings of safety, choices, and control choices, and control Programs, services, agencies, and Programs, services, agencies, and communities can be trauma communities can be trauma- -informed informed
Trauma-Informed Practice Examples Death Notifications Victims rights Victims rights Victim Services incorporation Victim Services incorporation Recognize and respond to trauma indicators Recognize and respond to trauma indicators Investigative actions Investigative actions
Awareness and acceptance of differences Awareness and acceptance of differences Promotion of cultural knowledge Promotion of cultural knowledge Ability to adapt practice skills to fit the Ability to adapt practice skills to fit the cultural context of victims and co cultural context of victims and co- -victims Culturally-Sensitive victims Understanding of the dynamics of Understanding of the dynamics of differences between the [ differences between the [Agency and the culture of victims and co and the culture of victims and co- -victims Agency] culture ] culture victims
Symbols Symbols Artifacts Artifacts Language Language Culture Culture Culturally-Sensitive Values Values Norms Norms Rituals Rituals
Culturally-Sensitive Practice Examples Death Notifications Victims rights Victims rights Victim Services incorporation Victim Services incorporation Recognize and respond to cultural and systemic barriers Recognize and respond to cultural and systemic barriers Inclusive actions Inclusive actions
Foundational Practices In In- -Person Notifications Person Notifications Team Approach Team Approach Timely Timely Plain Language Plain Language Compassion Compassion
Death Notification Steps Delivery Delivery Follow Follow- -up up Planning Planning
Planning Select notification team Select notification team Identify the decedent Identify the decedent Identify next of kin Identify next of kin Determine [ Determine [coroner/medical examiner coroner/medical examiner] involvement ] involvement
Planning Gather information about circumstances of death and decedent s Gather information about circumstances of death and decedent s identity identity Identify medical and safety concerns related to person receiving Identify medical and safety concerns related to person receiving notification notification Identify language access, ability, age, and cultural considerations Identify language access, ability, age, and cultural considerations related to person receiving notification related to person receiving notification
Planning Determine official notification plan Determine official notification plan Considerations Considerations Social media Social media Out of jurisdiction Out of jurisdiction Multiple notifications Multiple notifications Circumstances of decedent s life Circumstances of decedent s life
Delivery In In- -person whenever possible person whenever possible Approach to residence or alternate location Approach to residence or alternate location Compassionately and directly deliver the notification Compassionately and directly deliver the notification
Delivery Immediate reactions Immediate reactions Answer questions and provide information Answer questions and provide information Anticipated reactions Anticipated reactions End of life arrangements End of life arrangements Helpful resources and support systems Helpful resources and support systems Case status and agency processes Case status and agency processes When to leave When to leave
Helpful Statements I am so sorry this happened. You don t have to go through this alone. You don t have to talk if you don t want to. Many people who have gone through this react similarly. People experience many different feelings at the same time. This is harder than most people think. Is there something I can do for you? What would be most helpful to you right now?
Statements to Avoid Sharing personal stories of loss Sharing personal religious/faith beliefs I know how you feel. You will get over this and find closure. Time heals all wounds. You need to be strong. You must go on with your life. There s no explanation for what happened.
Follow-Up Communication plan Communication plan Setting expectations Setting expectations Review investigative findings Review investigative findings
Connected Processes Helpful Helpful Resources Resources Next of Kin Next of Kin Responsibilities Responsibilities End of Life End of Life Arrangements Arrangements
Next of Kin Responsibilities Deaths Investigated by Law Enforcement Release of decedent s body and personal effects from Release of decedent s body and personal effects from [ [coroner/medical examiner coroner/medical examiner] ] [ [enter local process information enter local process information] ] Complete notifications to family, friends, and employer(s) Complete notifications to family, friends, and employer(s) Coordinate end of life arrangements Coordinate end of life arrangements Address decedent s personal affairs Address decedent s personal affairs
End of Life Arrangements Anatomical Donation Organ and Tissue Donation Organ and Tissue Donation [ [enter local process information and agencies/organizations enter local process information and agencies/organizations] ] Body Donation Body Donation [ [enter local process information and agencies/organizations enter local process information and agencies/organizations] ]
End of Life Arrangements Burial, Cremation, Funeral Burial Burial immediate, green, home, above ground, in ground immediate, green, home, above ground, in ground [ [enter local process information and agencies/organizations enter local process information and agencies/organizations] ] Cremation Cremation direct, green, with memorial, with viewing direct, green, with memorial, with viewing [ [enter local process information and agencies/organizations enter local process information and agencies/organizations] ] Funeral Funeral [ [enter local process information and agencies/organizations enter local process information and agencies/organizations] ]
End of Life Arrangements Probate, Financial Assistance Probate Probate [ [enter local process information and agencies/organizations enter local process information and agencies/organizations] ] Financial Assistance Financial Assistance Indigent Burial, Victim Compensation Indigent Burial, Victim Compensation [ [enter local process information and agencies/organizations enter local process information and agencies/organizations] ]
Helpful Resources Grief Support Grief Support Grief Support [ [enter local process information and agencies/organizations enter local process information and agencies/organizations] ]
Helpful Resources Mental Health Services, Substance Use Treatment Services Mental Health Services Mental Health Services [ [enter local process information and agencies/organizations enter local process information and agencies/organizations] ] Substance Use Treatment Services Substance Use Treatment Services [ [enter local process information and agencies/organizations enter local process information and agencies/organizations] ]
Helpful Resources Legal Assistance Legal Assistance Legal Assistance [ [enter local process information and agencies/organizations enter local process information and agencies/organizations] ]
Helpful Resources Specialized Cleaning Types of incidents and payment Types of incidents and payment Certification requirements and options Certification requirements and options [ [enter process information and agencies enter process information and agencies/organizations /organizations] ]
Small Group Activity *10 minutes*
Group Discussion *15 minutes*
