Death Scene Investigation Report

Report Title: Death Scene Investigation Report

Agency/Office: [Agency/Office name]

Case Numbers: [ME/Coroner case number]; [Law enforcement case number(s)]; [EMS run number]; [Facility MRN if applicable]

Investigator: [Name, credentials, contact information]

Report Date/Time: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ]

Scene Type: [Residence / Outdoors / Vehicle / Facility / Custodial Setting / Other]

Jurisdiction Status: [Retained / Released]; [Authority name and timestamp if applicable]

(Use objective, descriptive language throughout; avoid speculation. Attribute all facts to source: observed by investigator, reported by EMS, reported by witness, per law enforcement briefing, per medical record. Record all times with date, 24-hour time, and time zone; if approximate, label as such and state source. For required fields, never leave blanks—use Not observed, Unknown, Not assessed with reason, or Not applicable.)

Notification and Response Timeline

(List time-stamped entries in chronological order with source attribution. If scene visit was not performed, state reason and document alternate information sources used.)

• Initial Notification Received: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ]; [Notifying agency/person]; [Callback/contact]; [Method]; (Per [source]: [Summary of notification]).
• Arrival on Scene: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ]; [Personnel accompanying with agency].
• Scene Entry: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ] (If different from arrival).
• Scene Briefing: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ]; [Conducted by: name/agency]; (Per briefing: [Key points]).
• Walkthrough: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ]; [Completed: Yes / No with reason if not].
• Photography Start: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ]; End: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ].
• Evidence Collection: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ] (If applicable).
• Body Removal: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ]; Destination: [Facility name].
• Departure from Scene: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ].

Scene Location and Access

Address: [Full address including unit/apartment]; GPS: [Latitude, Longitude / Unknown].

Scene Boundaries: [Interior rooms, exterior perimeter, vehicle location as applicable].

Scene Control: [Agency/person with command on arrival]; [Scene secured: Yes / No / Partially]; [Access restrictions].

Persons Present on Arrival:

• [Name] — [Role], [Agency]; [Location at arrival].

Entry/Exit Pathways: [Pathways used by investigators; condition and any changes made].

Scene Safety and Hazards

(Note PPE used and any safety limitations affecting documentation.)

• Weapons: [Observed / Not observed / Unknown]; [Description, location, secured by whom if applicable].
• Sharps: [Observed / Not observed / Unknown]; [Description and location].
• Chemicals: [Observed / Not observed / Unknown]; [Type and location].
• Biohazards: [Observed / Not observed / Unknown]; [Blood/body fluids presence and location].
• Environmental exposure: [Observed / Not observed / Unknown]; [Heat/cold conditions].
• Animals: [Observed / Not observed / Unknown]; [Type and control status].
• Structural hazards: [Observed / Not observed / Unknown]; [Description].
• Illicit drug hazards: [Observed / Not observed / Unknown]; [Description].
• PPE used: [Gloves / Eye protection / Mask/respirator / Gown / Other].
• Safety limitations affecting documentation: [Description / Not applicable].

Scene Narrative

(Chronological, objective summary with inline source attribution. Do not include cause or manner conclusions. Label any interpretations as "investigator impression" with factual basis.)

[Brief synopsis of scene type, location, context of response, and scene status upon arrival with source.] [Pre-arrival events: discovery circumstances, last known alive, resuscitation attempts, law enforcement actions—each attributed to source.] [Walkthrough summary: general condition of scene, signs of activity, disturbances, notable items as observed by investigator.] [Scene changes and discrepancies between witness statements, briefing, and physical findings; how addressed and to whom communicated.]

Environmental Observations

(Differentiate observed vs reported; note measurement method and device when applicable. If a standard observation was not assessed, state reason.)

• Lighting: [On / Off / Dim / Natural]; [Source(s)]; [Observed / Reported].
• Ambient temperature: [Measured value with units and device / Qualitative estimate]; [Method or reason not measured].
• Ventilation/HVAC: [On / Off / Setting]; [Registers/windows status]; [Observed / Reported].
• Weather (if outdoors): [Conditions]; [Source and time].
• Notable odors: [Description / Not observed]; [Location and intensity].
• Doors/windows: [Open / Closed / Locked / Unlocked]; [Damage or tampering: Yes / No]; [Locations].
• Cleanliness/order: [General condition description].
• Time cues: [Mail, newspapers, food state, calendars, clocks]; [Observed indicators].
• Electronics/appliances: [On / Off]; [Noted devices and settings].
• Transient evidence: [Items likely to change quickly and time noted].
• Not assessed: [Specify any standard observation not assessed and reason].

Photographic and Video Documentation

Documentation type: [Still photos / Video / Body-worn camera / Other]; Device: [Camera/device ID]; Photographer: [Name/agency].

Date/time settings confirmed: [Yes / No]; (If No: [Correction method and offset]).

Method: [Overall → midrange → close-up sequencing]; [Scales used for evidence: Yes / No]; [Steps to minimize extraneous persons].

Movements prior to photography: [Body/evidence moved prior to arrival: Yes / No]; [By whom and why]; (Original arrangement not recreated.)

If no images taken: [Reason]; [Other agency images available: Yes / No; source].

Photo/Video Log: (Attach or include below; sequential ID, date/time with TZ, location, view type, subject, scale used, notes for items moved.)

• [Seq ID] — [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ]; [Location]; [Overall / Midrange / Close-up / Evidence with scale]; [Subject description]; Scale: [Y / N]; [Notes].

Witness and Informant Statements

(Include for each person interviewed. Distinguish personal observations from hearsay. Include key direct quotes only when materially relevant.)

• Witness: [Full name]; Contact: [Phone/email/address]; Relationship: [Relationship to decedent].
  Basis of knowledge: [Personally observed / Reported by others / Mixed].
  Interview: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ]; [Location]; [In-person / Phone / Video]; [Recorded: Yes / No].
  Statement summary: [Concise summary with key direct quotes only when materially relevant].
  Discrepancies: [Contradictions with physical findings or other accounts; to whom communicated].

If no statements obtained: [Reason].

Evidence and Property Inventory

(Distinguish evidence vs personal property/valuables vs medications. If no items collected by investigator, state whether other agencies collected evidence.)

Evidence

• Item ID: [Unique ID]; Category: [Biological / Trace / Firearm / Tool / Digital / Other]; Description: [Objective, specific]; Condition: [Condition].
  Location found: [Room/area, surface, proximity to decedent]; Photo ID(s): [Associated photo IDs].
  Collected by: [Name/agency]; Date/Time: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ]; Packaging/seal: [Details / N/A]; Custodian: [Name/agency]; Disposition: [ME office / Law enforcement / Other].

Personal Property/Valuables

• Item ID: [Unique ID]; Description: [Make/model/serial if applicable]; Condition: [Condition].
  Location found: [Exact location]; Photo ID(s): [Associated photo IDs].
  Disposition: [Released to: name, relationship, verification method / Retained with reason / Transferred to law enforcement]; Date/Time: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ].

Medications/Substances

• Item ID: [Unique ID]; Drug name: [Generic/Brand]; Strength: [Dose]; Form: [Tablet / Capsule / Liquid / Other].
  Prescriber: [Name / Unknown]; Pharmacy: [Name / Unknown]; Date filled: [YYYY-MM-DD / Unknown]; Qty dispensed: [#]; Qty remaining: [#]; Count method: [Visual / Hand count / Estimated].
  Location found: [Exact location]; Photo ID(s): [Associated photo IDs]; Collected by: [Name/agency]; Date/Time: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ]; Packaging/seal: [Details].

Chain of Custody

(Document custody initiation and all transfers. If chain cannot be fully documented, state what is missing, why, and where official record resides.)

• Custody initiation: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ]; [Custodian(s) and responsible agency].
• Item transfers: [Item ID] — [Location at collection]; [Collector]; [Date/Time]; [Packaging/seal]; [Transferred to: name/agency]; [Date/Time of transfer].
• Body custody: Body bag #: [Number]; Seal #: [Number]; Sealed by: [Name/agency]; [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM TZ]. Transfer: [Scene → Transport → Facility with dates/times and receiving parties].

Investigator Summary

(Optional. Investigator notes for medicolegal use only—not definitive conclusions. Label interpretations as "investigator impression" with factual basis.)

[Key scene facts relevant to autopsy/toxicology]; [Investigator impression if appropriate, with basis]; [Unresolved questions or follow-up recommendations].

Deviations and Limitations

(Include when applicable: scene not fully accessible, weather/safety constraints, early scene release, evidence moved prior to arrival, incomplete witness access, language barriers, equipment failures, missing records.)

• [Deviation/limitation]: [Description]; [Impact on documentation]; [Mitigation steps taken].

Attachments

• Photo set: [Path or system reference].
• Video files: [Identifiers and storage location].
• Sketch/diagram: [Reference number / Not applicable].
• Property receipt forms: [Form ID/reference].
• Chain-of-custody forms: [Form ID/reference].
• EMS run report: [Agency; run #].
• Hospital records: [Facility; MRN; dates].
• Dispatch log: [Agency; incident #].