Death Notifications

ADJ13 Criminal Investigations Notification

• Law enforcement officers, including patrol officers and detectives, often have the responsibility to notify legal next of kin (NOK) and family members of a death under investigation. • • Motor Vehicle Accidents • • Suspicious • Unidentified/Unknown Deaths • Infant Deaths No Standard Model

• There is no one accepted/preferred or standard model amongst law enforcement agencies about death notification training, policies, or procedures.

• Many departments have created their own policies regarding death notification.

• In 2001, 70% of law enforcement officers surveyed by the University of Georgia had performed at least one death notification. • Of the 70%, 41% had received no training, experience, discussion, or guidelines on proper death notification procedure. Death Notification

• In Person • In Time • In Pairs • In Plain Language • With Compassion (Page, 2008)

FBI Guidelines

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), along with the Pennsylvania State University, created a website training for law enforcement and other professionals involved in death notifications on best practices.

• http://deathnotification.psu.edu/death-notification-process/ FBI 4 Step Process

① Plan

② Prepare

③ Deliver

④ Follow Up Step One: Planning

• Identify the decedent • Fingerprints, Dental record comparisons, DNA, Visual ID confirmation. • Inappropriate IDs: tattoos, ID cards, unknown ID.

• Select Team/Pair

• Ensure Information is Accurate Legal Next of Kin

• There is a hierarchy to NOK: • Spouse/domestic partner • Children • Parents • Siblings • Authorized guardian • Grandchildren • Great-grandchildren • Nieces and nephews • Grand-nieces and grand-nephews • Grandparents • Aunts and uncles • First cousins • Great-grandchildren of Grandparents • Second cousins • Fiduciary (a legally appointed trustee) Prepare

• The family/NOK will have questions. Be prepared to answer any/all that you can WITHOUT compromising the integrity of the investigation.

• Common Questions: • How was the decedent identified? • Can family see the body? Touch the body? • When will the body be released to family? • What happened? Arrests? Suspects? • Who is responsible for making decisions? • Who can they contact with questions? • What are the next steps in the investigation? • ? results? Team/Pair

• Primary/Point: • Delivers death notification, answers specific questions

• Secondary: • Ensures continuing scene safety, ensure support NOK Response

• Every single person handles acute response differently. THERE IS NO ONE STANDARD RESPONSE. • Anger • Fight/Flight • Fear • Confusion • Overwhelmed/Crisis Baseline • Disbelief

Death Notification Response Cultural Differences

• There are cultural differences in receiving devastating/grief- inducing news. • Depending upon the jurisdiction where you choose to work, you must know the different demographics within your community and educate yourself. Cultural Preparedness

• It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to ensure the family is treated with respect, their dignity is protected, and you are able to communicate with them. • Prepare ahead of time: • Do you need translators/interpreters? • Do you need ASL interpreters? • Other communication challenges? Safety during Notification

• It is vital you remain situationally aware and make tactically sound decisions. • Number of family members/friends in house/room • Do you have an exit plan? • Do you know what is behind you? • Weapons present? • Medical concerns? • Family members with heart problems, pregnant family members, elderly/weak family members, young children.

Common Challenges

• It is vital you remember your role: you provide information, protect and support family, and answer questions. You do NOT make decisions for family members and do NOT make unrealistic promises.

• You may have to repeat information multiple times to family members to ensure they understand what is occurring; significant mental shock will hinder comprehension.

• It is okay to show some emotion, but make sure you are aware of your own responses, body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, and word choice. Word Choice

• Use the decedent’s name. Do not use terms like “the body”, “the decedent,” or “the remains.” • Use appropriate terminology. Advise them their relative/loved one has died, is dead, was killed. Do not use terms like “in a better place,” “passed on”, etc. Be prepared to repeat the words “died” and “dead” multiple times. • Watch your word choice and phraseology. If you do not know what to say next, don’t say anything. Let the family have a lot of time to process and ask questions. Do not assume this will be quick. Avoid…

• “They’re in a better place.” • “You’ll find closure.” • “I know how you feel.” • “Time will heal.” • “You will get over this.” • “It will get easier.” • “They were in the wrong place/wrong time…” • “If only they had...” Stick With…

• “I am so sorry.” • “I am available now and in the future to answer any questions.” • “This is more difficult than most people think…” • “How you feel right now is okay. You are allowed to feel this way.” • “This may be confusing. Let me know if I can help clarify something.” • “I may not be able to answer that now, but I will when I can.” Be Careful…

• “Think of the happy memories…” • “You don’t want to know the answer to that...” • “You don’t want to see them...” • “They died instantly.” • “They didn’t feel any pain.”

• Religious or culturally insensitive comments. Follow Up

• Depending upon jurisdiction, try to schedule a follow up with family within 24-48 hours. • Prepare to cover the following topics with them: • Media • Personal Effects • Process • Autopsy Reports • Police Reports • Arrest Records (if applicable) • Property Damage/Insurance Questions • Grief Resources (Crisis Centers, hotlines, social workers, victim advocacy groups, etc.) Stress Reduction

• Be aware of the influence the event may have on you as well. Talk about the notification after you leave the residence/area with your partner/team. Process what went well, what may need improvement. What if NOK Lives Elsewhere?

• Death Notifications should ALWAYS be given in person, barring some extreme circumstance. • If NOK does not live in your jurisdiction or lives out of state/out of area, contact the local law enforcement agency where NOK lives and request they perform the death notification. Provide them with your contact information so family can call you during notification and for follow up with specific questions about the investigation.

• You have a responsibility to prevent further trauma on family members by investigators. Your priority is to identify and notify NOK as soon as possible. Control information. Do not let family find out through social media, telephone calls, or word of mouth. Leaving the Scene

• Never leave NOK alone after notification. Make arrangements for them to be with someone. • Ensure their safety. • Provide NOK/family with your contact information, as well as the report number, contact information for the /’s office, and any resources available in your jurisdiction for grieving families. References

• Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2015). “We Regret to Inform You…” Retrieved March 1, 2016.