Death Investigations

Question 1

According to 04-02 (Death Investigations), the Procedure provides direction as to when the attendance of a supervisory officer is required. These include

______, possible _____ , ________ sudden death, ______ death or suspected ________
Sudden unexpected death, apparent suicide or accident where the only witness or person present at the time of death or the finding of the body is an _________________

Answer 1

Suicide, possible sudden death, unnatural sudden death, suspicious death or suspected homicide
intimate partner, past or present

Question 2

No Person, except a qualified medical practitioner has the authority to pronounce a person dead EXCEPT

Where death appears obvious due to decomposition, decapitation, transection, gross rigor mortis, gross outpouring of cranial or visceral contents or a grossly charred body
- A _________ has declared death through consultation with an ___________

Answer 2

• base hospital physician on-scene paramedic

Question 3

A lead investigator OR police officer designated by the lead investigator SHALL attend the morgue and be physically present under the following circumstance

Homicide, suspected homicide or other related criminal offences
• Cases where the investigating officer has requested the presence of another officer
• Cases where an ________ has been or is likely to be called
• When the _________ believes it is necessary due to the nature of the case, or the condition of the persons doing the identification.

Answer 3

• inquest

coroner

Question 4

When investigating a death where the deceased is located in a bath tub SHALL record in the memo book any of the following information that applies:

Approximate _____ and _________ of any water present in the bathtub
• The position of the body within the bathtub
• Which end of the bathtub the ____ was positioned
• Where the body is wet or dry, including the hair
• Whether the head is submerged at least up to and including the mouth and nose
• Whether the fingers and/or feet show signs of prolonged immersion
• Where there is evidence of ___ in the mouth or nose
• Whether the ______ is engaged
• Whether there is evidence to suggest the deceased may have fallen into the bathtub

Answer 4

•depth temperature, head, froth, water stopper

Question 5

The first supervisory officer SHALL be responsible for?

The _______ and ________ of the uniform response

Answer 5

quality thoroughness

Question 6

When notified of a sudden death, a supervisory officer SHALL attend the scene in what level of response?

Answer 6

A. Promptly

Question 7

When notified of a suicide where there exists a suicide note or criminal writing SHALL ensure the suicide note and any other relevant writings are:

Scanned and attached to the original report
- Transmitted to the ____________ by TPS EFAX along with a copy of the completed E REPORTS.

Answer 7

-Office of the Chief Coroner

Question 8

When notified of an unnatural sudden death a supervisor officer SHALL do what?

Take charge of the scene
Provide assistance and direction to the police officers on scene
Ensure a police officer accompanies the body to the hospital
Request/assign further assistance as required
Ensure the attendance of a ________ , ___________, and an ____________
Advise the __________ of all pertinent information
Ensure a police officer has been assigned to notify the next of kin (Whenever possible, notification should be made by a _________ in lieu of constable)

Answer 8

divisional detective, coroner and an FIS investigator
Officer in Charge
supervisor

Question 9

When dealing with the death of a child under__ years old, the sudden unexpected death of a child or a suspicious death /suspect homicide, which may include – an unexplained/unknown cause of death, found human remains, obvious or suspected foul play or any other suspicious circumstance a Supervisory Officer SHALL do what?

Treat the death as __________ and ensure compliance with Procedure 05-01 (Preliminary Homicide Investigation)

Answer 9

5, suspicious

Question 10

When necessary to notify a next of kin, a supervisory officer SHOULD ensure the notification is

made _______
made by _____________

Answer 10

Made in person

Made by a supervisory officer in lieu of constable

Question 11

When delivering a compassionate message on behalf of the investigating officer. What should be obtained prior to notification?

As much information as possible concerning the deceased such as how, when and where the death occurred

• The ________ information
• Other information deemed pertinent for the notification
• The name, badge number and contact information of the investigating officer

Answer 11

next of kin

Question 12

The ______ will be notified and requested to attend in all cases of unnatural sudden death. The ____ will be responsible for pronouncing death in the absence of another qualified medical practitioner and will authorize the removal of the body

Answer 12

Coroner

Question 13

Police Officer
When investigating an unnatural sudden death shall
 request the attendance of a supervisory officer and a divisional detective
 request the attendance and confirmation of notification of the Coroner
 leave the body undisturbed when death has been pronounced or where death appears obvious due to decomposition, decapitation, transection, gross rigor mortis, gross outpouring of cranial or visceral contents, or a grossly charred body

________ will determine when the body will be removed

Answer 13

The Coroner

Question 14

A Scenes of Crime Officer (SOCO) may only be assigned to examine crime scenes at the discretion of the __________.
A SOCO shall NOT be assigned to death investigations involving
 the sudden, unexpected death of a ___
 the death of a child under__ years of age
 a suspicious death or suspected _____ .

Answer 14

Officer in Charge – FIS.
child
5
homicide

Question 15

Police Officer
When investigating a death on TTC property, upon the direction of the ________ shall
 obtain a stretcher from under the platform, place the body and any dismembered parts on the stretcher and remove from public view only after
 _______ has authorized the removal of the body, and
 the scene has been photographed, and
 a supervisor or detective has been consulted and authorized the removal of the body
 if the body must be moved prior to the scene being photographed, outline the position of the body
Unless otherwise directed, there is NO requirement to await the arrival of a _______ prior to removing the body

Answer 15

Coroner, Coroner, detective

Question 16

Medications should NOT be taken to Forensic Pathology Units or hospital–based pathology units, unless specifically requested by the ________ and only following a case–by–case consideration. Medications shall NOT be placed in the body bag or otherwise sent with the body.

Answer 16

pathologist

Question 17

Police Officer

When investigating a death attributed to consumer products shall notify _________________

Answer 17

Health Canada, Consumer Product Safety.
Consumer products may include such things as: children’s playthings and equipment; flammable items; sports equipment; household and garden items; dangerous household chemical products; and charcoal products

Question 18

Detective

When in receipt of a request to release a suicide note to the next of kin shall consult with ___________ on the appropriate course of action.

Answer 18

Records Management Services (RMS) – Information Access – Access and Privacy Section

Question 19

Bodies should always be transported and stored in the _______ position pending post mortem examination to avoid introducing artefacts which may obscure post mortem findings

Answer 19

supine (face up)

Question 20

if the deceased is obviously destitute, should advise the next of kin they may apply to _______ for burial or to _______ if the deceased is a former member of the Canadian Forces

Answer 20

Toronto Social Services , the Last Post Fund

Question 21

Supervisor ensure the attendance of

1. ______
2. ______
3. ______

Answer 21

 a divisional detective
 the Coroner
 a FIS investigator

Question 22

The Officer in Charge is responsible for ensuring an appropriate response and, in the absence of the detective sergeant, an appropriate ______ response.
When notified of a suicide where there exists a suicide note or criminal writing shall ensure the suicide note, and any other writings made by the deceased relevant to the investigation are

 scanned and attached to the original eReport
 transmitted to the __________ by TPS eFax, along with a copy of the completed eReports

Answer 22

uniform, investigative Office of the Chief Coroner

Question 23

Detective

Contact the _________ for assistance where no next of kin can be located

Answer 23

Office of the Public Trustee

Question 24

The Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC), a sub-unit of Detective Operations – Sex Crimes, shall be notified when investigating a sudden unexpected death of a child under the age of ___ in any division

Answer 24

16

Question 25

Police Officer
Upon discovering the sudden unexpected death of a child shall interview the caregiver at the time of death, using the questions listed in Appendix A as a guide to the type of information that should be obtained.
Upon discovering the death of an infant (less than 1 year of age) shall, in addition to item 4, use Appendix B as a reference to record at–scene information in the memorandum book.
- The Investigation Questionnaire for Sudden Unexpected Deaths in Infants in Appendix B was developed by the ________ and is completed by _______ , except where the death of an infant is a confirmed homicide in which case it will be completed by ______ .

Answer 25

Office of the Chief Coroner, the Coroner, police

Question 26

Supervisor
When advised of the sudden unexpected death of a child under ___ years of age shall
 treat the death as suspicious
 if the child is under __ years of age, ensure the CYAC is notified

Answer 26

18, 16

Question 27

__________ will determine whether a Homicide investigator shall attend the scene.

Answer 27

The On–Call Homicide officer

Question 28

The Preliminary Police Report was developed by the Office of the Chief Coroner and shall be completed, in addition to the applicable eReports, for a death of a child under ___ years of age

Answer 28

5

Question 29

The Investigation Questionnaire for Sudden Unexpected Deaths in Infants in Appendix B was developed by the Office of the Chief Coroner and is completed by the _____ , except where the death of an infant is a confirmed homicide in which case it will be completed by _____.

Answer 29

Coroner, police

Question 30

Detective - Division

When in receipt of a request to release a suicide note to the next of kin shall consult with _________________ on the appropriate course of action.

Answer 30

Records Management Services (RMS) – Information Access – Access and Privacy Section

Question 31

The Preliminary Police Report was developed by the ______ and shall be completed, in addition to the applicable eReport, for any unnatural sudden death where the ________ has ordered an autopsy.

Answer 31

Office of the Chief Coroner

Coroner

Question 32

Detective
When the deceased cannot be readily identified shall
 request that ____ fingerprint and photograph the deceased
 consider the use of the ______ to complete a reconstructed image for a media release
 request that the _____ have a dentist complete an OPC 105
 ensure the OPC 105 is scanned and attached to the original eReport
 ensure the eReport number is forwarded to RMS – Operations (RMS – Ops) for inclusion in the CPIC Dental Characteristics file
 consider contacting FIS regarding the completion of _______ forms and the gathering of samples for DNA analysis and comparison
 continue efforts to locate and notify the next of kin
 ensure identification is made by a relative, a close friend or a person who knows the deceased in the presence of a ____ official

Answer 32

FIS
FIS Forensic Artist
Coroner
Interpol Disaster Victim Identification
Morgue

Question 33

Police Officer
When it is necessary to notify next of kin shall complete the Next of Kin Information screen page.
When assigned to notify a next of kin of a death shall
 ensure the victim has been properly identified
 deliver the message in person or if unable to deliver the message in person, consult with a supervisory officer
 make every effort to contact the next of kin and deliver the information
 make every effort to leave the next of kin in the company of a support person or where appropriate, request the assistance of _________

Answer 33

Victim Services Toronto

Question 34

if the deceased person is or appears to be of Aboriginal ancestry contact the ________________ by telephone or by e–mail at “Aboriginal Peacekeeping” for assistance in locating next of kin

Answer 34

Community Partnerships and Engagement Unit (CPEU) – Aboriginal Peacekeeping section

Question 35

When an autopsy is ordered as a result of an apparent suicide or accident where the only witness is or has been an intimate partner, past or present, the autopsy will be performed by a ____________ who currently performs homicide autopsies. The autopsy will be conducted as if the death had taken place under suspicious circumstances.

Answer 35

Regional Coroner’s pathologist