Death Investigations-Rockford

PURPOSE OF COURSE:

This 8-hour training course was designed to familiarize officers with various aspects of death investigations from scene response through case closure. 

COURSE OVERVIEW: 

In Death Investigations, patrol officers and detectives will gain a comprehensive understanding of their roles in death investigations. Instruction includes a focus on collaborating with jurisdictional death investigation agencies, recognizing common causes of death, processing scenes based on various situational factors, and documenting and preserving critical evidence. Review of case studies will encourage critical thinking regarding application of basic investigation techniques and evidence technician skills. Other topics include attendance at autopsies, the process of a coroner’s inquest, report writing, and making notification. 

COURSE GOALS: 

1. Understand the fundamentals of a complete and thorough death investigation from initial arrival at the scene through case closure.

2. Learn and retain the basic tasks involved in a death investigation including handling of evidence, collecting relevant case information from various sources, working with decedent families, and collaborating with death investigation agencies. 

3. Recognize the importance and value of working with their jurisdiction’s death investigation agency including post-scene follow up and obtaining autopsy and toxicological evidence. 

4. Know the various and unique steps involved in a death investigation based on initial observations and suspected manner of death.

5. Obtain the skills necessary for performing an on-scene body examination to ensure an accurate cause and manner of death are established.

6. Learn the best practices of working with next of kin including making notification, providing resources, and following up after initial contact.

This course has been approved by ILETSB to meet the following mandates:

Procedural Justice – 8 hrs.

Lead Homicide Investigator Training – 8 hrs.