HCSD — Standard Operating Procedures

1020.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

As a component of the death investigation, the Deputy Coroner shall prepare a written investigative report to document facts, findings, and actions taken on a given case. This policy serves to establish rules and guidelines for the creation, content, and completion of the investigative report.

1020.2 CASES REQUIRING A CI REPORT

An investigative report shall be prepared for any death requiring Coroner death certificate signature pursuant to Government Code 27491. An investigative report shall also be required for any death requiring a field response pursuant to Coroner Division policy, or significant level of investigation by the Deputy Coroner in order to determine jurisdiction and/or case disposition.

1020.3 AUTHORSHIP

The investigative report should be created, authored, and edited only by the case's assigned Deputy Coroner.

1020.4 REPORT WRITER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

At a minimum, the Deputy Coroner's investigative report should address the following areas if applicable to the specific case:

• Statement provided by the party reporting the death
• Body examination
• Death scene observations
• Witness/informant statements

1. Medical and social histories shall be addressed (e) Identification, or efforts to identify

• Next-of-kin notification, or efforts to locate next-of-kin
• Criminal history
• Disposition of the body
• Disposition of the decedent's residence, vehicle, pets, or other bulk property items not collected by the Deputy Coroner.
• Any other relevant statement, action, or observation significant to the death investigation

1020.4.1 PROMPT REPORT COMPLETION

The Deputy Coroner shall prepare all reports received for supervisory approval as soon as practical. The final report shall be completed and submitted to the assigned Coroner for approval within 14 working days from the completion of any autopsy, external examination or medical records review. If the investigative report cannot be completed in the allotted time, the Coroner shall be notified of the delay in completion.

1020.4.2 REPORT SPELLING, GRAMMAR, AND CONTENT

Prior to submission for approval, the Deputy Coroner shall review each report for spelling, grammar, and content inaccuracies and make corrections when necessary. Obscure abbreviations and other shorthand shall not be used in the investigative report.

1020.5 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The Coroner shall thoroughly review all submitted reports for completeness and accuracy prior to approval and require additional information or corrections when necessary.

Reports containing obvious spelling and grammatical errors shall be returned to the assigned Deputy Coroner for correction.

1020.6 SUPPLEMENTAL REPORTS

Any member, other than the assigned Deputy Coroner, who ascertains new information or takes an action related to the case shall so document by completing a supplemental report.