One area of investigative work that a private investigator can be utilized in is death investigations. Often times the family of a decedent has suspicions regarding their loved ones death and question the finding of the police and/or coroner’s office. After interviewing the client, the private investigator should obtain and review any police reports, autopsy reports and photographs that are available. A key step in the investigation is an examination of the death scene. This can sometimes occur days, months or even years after the death. It is still critically important to view the death location. Even though some things may have changed at the location, you still need to conduct an on-site examination. Is what you see at the location consistent with what’s in the reports? Has anything changed? Is anything wrong? Is the manner and cause of death listed in the reports consistent to what you see at the scene? Do the events portrayed in the reports match up with the evidence you see at the scene? Are there any errors in the report? Could the decedent have met his demise the way it’s portrayed in the reports?
There is always the possibility that evidence could have been overlooked by the police at the scene, so if you find anything that you think could be of evidentiary value, be sure to photograph it before recovering it. Take your own photographs, measurements and diagram. Remember that oftentimes the only police presence at a death not immediately classified as a homicide is usually patrol officers who may not have a lot of experience in death investigations. Take nothing for granted while you are out there. If possible, try to conduct your examination of the scene at the same time as the estimated time of death. Lighting at the scene could play an important part in the investigation and in witnesses’ accounts.
An added benefit to conducting a death scene examination is that it will greatly assist you when you are interviewing family members and potential witnesses. Be sure to have the diagram and photographs to available to show witnesses. Try to interview the police officers, paramedics and coroner’s investigator that were at the scene. They may or may not talk to you, but it’s worth a try.
