Coroner Talk™ | Death Investigation Training | Police and Law Enforcement

The number one cause of death for suicides in America is gunshot injury.  This type of death can leave a lot of blood. That blood can tell a story if looked at with a critical eye.   In this episode, Jeff Gentry discusses blood pattern interpretation and specifically how it is used in suicide cases.  After listening, you might look at death scenes differently next time.

https://coronertalk.com/infant-death-first-contactThe first few minutes upon arrival or notification of an infant death are very critical. Steps need to be taken to know where the infant is located and who the lead investigator is and ensure evidence is protected.   This episode is a portion of an online training course covering infant death investigation in detail. If you're interested in learning more, a link to that course can be found below.    Investigating Infant and Child Deaths  https://www.ditacademyonline.org/courses/infant-and-child-death

Someone must oversee a crime scene.   This means one person is directing all activity. This might not be a ranking member of a department, though.  If no one takes charge, the scene is chaotic, and nothing is done correctly.    The investigator in charge should oversee the investigation and scene documentation. He or she should ensure proper chain of custody and documentation of evidence. They are in charge of maintaining scene integrity.   As with any crime scene, cooperation is critical among differing agencies. But with a death scene, this cooperation is ever more important and strained. Due to the increased severity of the scene, the spotlight, and egos, these scenes can quickly become a disaster. Therefore, teamwork is vital, and it is the lead investigator's role to set a tone of cooperation and teamwork.    One of the most significant issues in a major case is the failure to communicate information to those working on the case. Some agencies seem to want to keep what they know to themselves. This primarily occurs from egos and "turf wars," which will compromise an effective outcome.    Everyone involved in the investigation has information gathered from the jobs they were assigned, and a lack of communication or an unwillingness to share information discovered for evaluation can prevent the entire team from finding the truth and bringing the case to a conclusion. It's imperative to remember that the cases you work aren't about you, but are for the victim, the family, and, at times, the protection of society.   One of the most frustrating mistakes at a death scene is when command staff show up on the scene with their own agendas, which have nothing to do with the actual investigation. Sometimes, it's for political appearance or simple curiosity. However, unless they are an actual part of the investigative team, they should not insert themselves into the investigation.   In many instances, because they're at the scene, command-ranking personnel feel the need to direct the investigation. Consequently, they will have investigators running in different directions, which have nothing to do with the primary investigation.   The result is the loss of cohesive and central command and major miscommunication Many times, in these situations no one is willing to step up, make decisions and take control for fear of making the boss mad. The chaos continues and the investigation is compromised. When the outcome is delayed or not favorable, the command personnel directly responsible for the chaos will not see that they were the cause, but rather, the blame may fall on the lead investigator.  

Crime scene photography, also called forensic photography, has been around almost as long as the camera itself. Investigators quickly realized that such technology could freeze time -- creating a supposedly incontestable record of a crime scene, a piece of evidence or even a body.  Today, forensic photographs are essential for investigating and prosecuting a crime.  Photographs help preserve not only the most fleeting evi­dence -- like the shape of a blood stain that will soon be mopped up -- but als­o the placement of items in a room and the relation of evidence to other objects. Such images can prove vital to investigators long after the crime scene is gone. Crime scene photographers must be methodical in their work.­ They can't afford to leave out an important piece of evidence or produce photographs that could be considered misleading in court.  There are three classifications of forensic photos -- overviews, mid-range and close-ups. If the crime took place inside, overviews include photos of the outside of the building, its entrances and exits as well as images that place the building in relation to its surroundings. Photos of spectators at the scene can later help locate witnesses or suspects. Overviews also include images of all rooms, taken from overhead and from each corner. The photographer then hones in on key pieces of evidence and captures images of them in the context. These mid-range photos might picture a piece of evidence, like a knife, but at enough distance to show its relation to furniture, a blood stain, or the rest of the room. Mid-range images establish the distance of the object from surrounding objects. Finally, the photographer thoroughly documents evidence with close-up images. Close-ups include identifying marks like scars on a body or serial numbers on a bloodied piece of electronic equipment. A photographer often includes a ruler in the shot to establish scale but always takes a duplicate image without the measuring device. In court, the defense could claim the device covered something important. Of course, pictures are of no value unless they're in context. The photographer keeps a photo log that includes every relevant detail, the photo number, any filters applied, the time and date, the location, and a description of the object. 

Death investigations that include an active decomposing body can be challenging to work. There are many obstacles not seen in a 'fresh' death that will be present in a decomp case. In this episode, Jeff Gentry discusses many of these issues and how to successfully work a case involving a decomp.

Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer. 

Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer. 

Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer. 

Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer. 

Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer. 

Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer. 

Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer. 

Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer. 

Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer. 

Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer. 

Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer. 

Due to the very nature of sudden and/or violent deaths, many things can and do go wrong in the first few hours after discovery.  Death scenes have a way of bringing together many individuals with various responsibilities and experiences.  This unique group can consist of uniformed officers, detectives, crime scene investigators, forensic experts, coroner investigators, medical examiner investigators, as well as prosecutors and police administrative staff.   These scenes may also have fire and EMS staff or other agencies trying to do their jobs, not to mention families and onlookers.  Because of this often chaotic scene, errors can happen. Let's look at the ten most common mistakes of a death investigation. Links mentioned in the show Death Investigation Academy ditacademy.org   Death Investigator Magazine  DeathInvestigatorMagazine.com 

Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer. 

Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer.   

https://coronertalk.com/theres-a-right-way-to-be-a-coroner-and-then-there-is-the-otherThere has always been a discussion on removing coroners and rebuilding it with a medical examiner system.  However, that is rarely done because it just does not work like some would hope.  It is important to keep in mind the reason for these discussions usually stems from a coroner not doing their job and, in some way, negative attention gets paid to the situation or office.     As a rule, in the United States, there are two types of Coroners and Coroner offices. One is the correct way, and the other is not.   In this episode, I discuss the differences, what makes a good coroner, and why the bad ones are so bad for the field overall.

Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer.   

Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer.   

Hoarding is a psychological condition that results in a person accumulating an enormous amount of trash and things of little-to-no value, or worse, more animals than can be properly cared for. Hoarding of any kind can pose several dangers to the occupant and neighbors, and certainly to animals if they are involved. These hazards can be deadly, and all the more reason people with hoarding disorder should have professional help to restore them to healthy living conditions. If children and animals are in the home, exposed to these perilous dangers, hoarding is also a crime. Read More at: coronertalk.com/dangers-of-hoarding   Death Investigation Academy https:ditacademy.org Learn more about our Medicolegal Death Investigator Course and several other online courses. 

Midweek training tips are short focused training to help you become a better investigator, and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor  or industry peer.   

Midweek training tips are short focused training to help you become a better investigator, and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor  or industry peer.   

A paperless office is a workplace that has minimal paper-based processes and relies on digitized documents and storage instead. This includes on scene notes and document scanning from a mobile device rather than taking the actual papers. Some Coroner offices still use pen and paper rather than a simply reporting database created for death investigations. While still other use a self-made option combining a text document and a data base software like excel or numbers. The use of digital fingerprint scanners, document scanners, e-signatures, and cloud storage has made many offices work smarter and more efficiently. This combined with a full cloud backup reduces the amount of actual paper files stored. This works for many, and yet still many others resist the change. In this episode Darren talks to other investigators about technology and going to a paperless office option.             Medicolegal Death Investigator Course https://ditacademy.org/mldi/ This hybrid course is developed for the police detective, patrol officer, medicolegal and coroner investigator. Taught by skilled, accredited instructors working in the field of death investigation, this course will provide intermediate-level training in the skills required to properly work a death investigation. The format will develop confidence in the investigator and hone valuable skills. After completing this course, the investigator will have the ability to better; understand the legal restriction of search and seizure, document a scene, locate and collect evidence, properly distinguish differing manners of death, better understand wound and injury interpretation, understand the dynamics of child death, conduct witness interviews, and properly complete reports and prepare for courtroom testimony. This course will include several post-mortem examination photographs and video segments – as well as injury, death, and homicide scenes through photos and video of actual cases. This course is very graphic and intense.

Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer.   

Midweek training tips are short focused training to help you become a better investigator, and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor  or industry peer.   

A few years ago, the third Monday in January was labeled Blue Monday by many experts in the mental health field. But no matter what day of the week it occurs on, Anita Agers-Brooks, common trauma expert, and author of Getting Through What You Can't Get Over, believes January 15th is a good barometer to predict the most depressing day of the year. But why January 15th? If it takes about three weeks for a mindset to change, earmarking January 15th, 2024 ( or the third Monday)  as the most depressing day of the year may just make sense. According to Brooks, based on several pieces of research she's studied, as well as based on extensive interviews she's conducted with everyday people, there are several contributors that solely, or linked with others, can throw even the hardiest soul into the pit of depression on or around this date. Read more here   Death Investigator Magazine

Midweek training tips are short focused training to help you become a better investigator, and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor  or industry peer.   

Midweek training tips are short focused training to help you become a better investigator, and human.  These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy.  Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor  or industry peer.     

In this episode Darren has a conversation with a student about spontaneous suicide. They discuss what it is and does it really exist. Referred to sometimes as Acute Suicide or Impulsive Suicide, the debate is whether there are suicide deaths by people who just decide for no apparent reason to end their life and no reasoning is known or can be found during investigation. Also discussed in this episode is an invitation to you, the listener, to be a guest on the show. If you have a topic to discuss you feel others in our field would find interesting, or you have experience training  on a specific topic and would like to share with others, reach out to the show and lets get you on as a guest.   Medicolegal Death Investigator Medicolegal Death Investigator training is held twice per year at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield, Mo.  To learn more about the course, and the exciting changes and upgrades,  go to ditacademy.org/mldi      

After having to identify her husband by his severed head, Jan Canty started a life journey of discovering what being a survivor of violent crime is like.  In this episode we discuss the crime that changed her life forever and what she has done to survive this journey.  One accomplishment is her new book What Now -  Navigating the Aftermath of Homicide and Suicide.  This work is a guide, not only for survivor families, but also as a resource to investigators and support teams in how best to assist survivors. Her new book can be found on Amazon and her web site at the link below. https://jancantyphd.com/      

In this episode I talk with Jeff Gentry about the importance of understanding blood stains. You don't have to be an expert to recognize something is not adding up.  We also discuss his new online courses and a new Blood Pattern Guide he has written.  Links to all  material discussed can be found below.   New Guide to Blood Patterns https://www.amazon.com/Visual-Guide-Bloodstain-Pattern-Analysis/dp/B0BLQSFDX9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2JCZH3L5RPIGO&keywords=gentry+blood+pattern&qid=1685798433&sprefix=gentery+blood+pattern%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1 Online Courses   Introduction to Blood Pattern https://www.ditacademyonline.org/courses/bpa-introduction   Understanding Blood Patterns and What they can tell you https://www.ditacademyonline.org/courses/blood-pattern-analysis   Death Investigation Academy https://ditacademy.org/

In this episode, I introduce the all-new and expanded Medicolegal Death Investigator classroom course.  The course has a new location, new training, and many additional perks and features.  You can learn more about the course and the updates at: https://ditacademy.org/mldi

On this episode, I am a guest on the Don't F*up the Crime Scene Podcast with Kevin Hearst.  You can find more of his show at - https://www.spreaker.com/show/dont-fuck-up-the-crime-scene   I also introduce the all-new Medicolegal Death Investigator classroom course.  New location, new training, new experience.  Check it out at https://ditacademy.org/mldi/    

In this episode, I share a small portion of a new online course, Introduction to Blood Pattern Analysis. You can find more about that course at the link below. https://www.ditacademyonline.org/courses/bpa-introduction

In this episode, you will learn the importance of detecting deception in interactions with victims, witnesses, and suspects and be introduced to techniques used to analyze verbal or written statements. I talked with Mark Bailey about how a written statement can be analyzed for truthfulness or deception.  You can learn more about how to participate in classroom training on this topic by going to.   www.mebailey.com

Testifying in court can be terrifying if you are not used to it. Even experienced investigators need good reminders now and then on how to perform better. When testifying in court;  the eyes of the jury, the judge, the prosecutor, the defense, and the public– are on you! Your reputation and that of your department may be enhanced or destroyed by your courtroom presentation. A single ineffective presentation in the courtroom can result in the acquittal of a defendant, no matter the amount of solid evidence you may have collected. Court Room Testimony There's another equally important reason for you to care about being an effective witness in the courtroom. If you aren't, all the work that you and your fellow investigators did on the case, all that the victims and their families endured, all that other witnesses may have done over the many months and sometimes years it takes for a criminal case to go to trial–will have accomplished nothing more than a containment arrest. A single ineffective presentation in the courtroom can result in the acquittal of a defendant, no matter the amount of solid evidence you may have collected. For more information about the online course discussed in the episode, click over to: https://www.ditacademyonline.org/courses/courtroom-testimony

Online Course Click Here:            Investigating Infant and Child Death  Death Investigator Newsletter:   Click Here for Newsletter Info. When it comes to all death investigations, but especially where an infant or child is involved, you should be led by the thinking that you only get one chance at your first chance. The trouble with infant death, more so than any other type of death, is the body is always moved from the place of discovery, making multiple scenes that need to be secured and looked at. The other issue is the delay in notification. Many times, because of this moving of the body, the infant is often at a hospital, and hours have gone by before law enforcement and coroner/medical examiners are notified. This delay also frustrates the investigation by putting potential evidence at risk of being lost forever by never being found.   There are two areas of the investigation that need to be started as soon as possible; talking with the caregivers and inspecting the place of discovery. Caregivers, and anyone who found the child unresponsive, need to be talked to on the day of the death, not a few days later. Waiting may cause the caregivers to be reluctant to speak with investigators, even if they have done nothing wrong.   The next first thing that needs to be done is an inspection of the place of discovery. Do an initial walk-through looking at the environment as a whole. What are the living conditions like, is the environment safe for a child? Look for fragile evidence such as blood, vomit, mucus, etc. on bedding and crib rails. Locate bottles, diapers, medications, and food containers for later collection. What room does the infant sleep in normally, and where were they upon discovery?   Find out what the HVAC system is in the house and does the room the infant sleeps in have a different source. Be sure to photograph the entire house or environment as you walk through so you get the best representation of the scene before items are moved or destroyed.   Again, remember you only get one chance at your first chance. Every other inspection or evidence collection after that can be tainted or at least claimed to have been by future defense arguments.  

Online Course Click Here:            Investigating Infant and Child Death  Death Investigator Newsletter:   Click Here for Newsletter Info. When it comes to all death investigations, but especially where an infant or child is involved, you should be led by the thinking that you only get one chance at your first chance. The trouble with infant death, more so than any other type of death, is the body is always moved from the place of discovery, making multiple scenes that need to be secured and looked at. The other issue is the delay in notification. Many times, because of this moving of the body, the infant is often at a hospital, and hours have gone by before law enforcement and coroner/medical examiners are notified. This delay also frustrates the investigation by putting potential evidence at risk of being lost forever by never being found.   There are two areas of the investigation that need to be started as soon as possible; talking with the caregivers and inspecting the place of discovery. Caregivers, and anyone who found the child unresponsive, need to be talked to on the day of the death, not a few days later. Waiting may cause the caregivers to be reluctant to speak with investigators, even if they have done nothing wrong.   The next first thing that needs to be done is an inspection of the place of discovery. Do an initial walk-through looking at the environment as a whole. What are the living conditions like, is the environment safe for a child? Look for fragile evidence such as blood, vomit, mucus, etc. on bedding and crib rails. Locate bottles, diapers, medications, and food containers for later collection. What room does the infant sleep in normally, and where were they upon discovery?   Find out what the HVAC system is in the house and does the room the infant sleeps in have a different source. Be sure to photograph the entire house or environment as you walk through so you get the best representation of the scene before items are moved or destroyed.   Again, remember you only get one chance at your first chance. Every other inspection or evidence collection after that can be tainted or at least claimed to have been by future defense arguments.  

Online Course Click Here:            Investigating Infant and Child Death  Death Investigator Newsletter:   Click Here for Newsletter Info. When it comes to all death investigations, but especially where an infant or child is involved, you should be led by the thinking that you only get one chance at your first chance. The trouble with infant death, more so than any other type of death, is the body is always moved from the place of discovery, making multiple scenes that need to be secured and looked at. The other issue is the delay in notification. Many times, because of this moving of the body, the infant is often at a hospital, and hours have gone by before law enforcement and coroner/medical examiners are notified. This delay also frustrates the investigation by putting potential evidence at risk of being lost forever by never being found. There are two areas of the investigation that need to be started as soon as possible; talking with the caregivers and inspecting the place of discovery. Caregivers, and anyone who found the child unresponsive, need to be talked to on the day of the death, not a few days later. Waiting may cause the caregivers to be reluctant to speak with investigators, even if they have done nothing wrong. The next first thing that needs to be done is an inspection of the place of discovery. Do an initial walk-through looking at the environment as a whole. What are the living conditions like, is the environment safe for a child? Look for fragile evidence such as blood, vomit, mucus, etc. on bedding and crib rails. Locate bottles, diapers, medications, and food containers for later collection. What room does the infant sleep in normally, and where were they upon discovery? Find out what the HVAC system is in the house and does the room the infant sleeps in have a different source. Be sure to photograph the entire house or environment as you walk through so you get the best representation of the scene before items are moved or destroyed. Again, remember you only get one chance at your first chance. Every other inspection or evidence collection after that can be tainted or at least claimed to have been by future defense arguments.

But having a preparedness mindset is critical as an investigator. We get used to the day-to-day calls and never put a lot of thought into the time we will be thrust into a large investigation. Whether that be a large, emotionally draining investigation or one that might be, or seem to be, above our ability to manage. We can never prepare for everything. But we can do a lot to prepare for the unexpected. In this episode, I talk about having a preparedness mindset and how to prepare for the unexpected. This is an excerpt from a larger online course but is packed with real training and ready-to-use advice. Check out the online course at this link. https://www.ditacademyonline.org/courses/prepardness-mindset    

We have revamped an old idea into an interactive monthly newsletter—best of all, it's totally free.    To learn more and subscribe, go to deathinvestigatormagazine.com       

Support Services staff are trained professionals from various fields, including medicine, mental health, and law enforcement. The team is committed to providing sincere and compassionate support at a pace survivors are comfortable with. We maintain the highest level of confidentiality. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the event of a death, Summit County provides support services to family and friends of the decedent. Services can include counseling, emotional support, financial assistance for burials, advocacy, help with paperwork, and referrals for other types of assistance. To learn more about the Summit County, Colorado Program, go to https://summitcountyco.gov/1102/Survivor-Support To learn more about the Death Investigation Academy and see what course you might be interested in, go to https://ditacademy.org/

Check out the online course here: https://www.ditacademyonline.org/courses/Suicide-and-Self-Harm An initial exam while still on the scene is imperative for the overall determination of cause and manner of death as well as collecting time sensitive facts and evidence. This exam is only the first of two external exams. This one being on the scene and the second one at autopsy. The on-scene exam documents what the investigator sees and what wounds, scars, tattoos, etc., are present on the body. At this stage, much of the trace evidence used in a case will either be located or preserved for future collection.    

Check out the online course here: https://www.ditacademyonline.org/courses/Suicide-and-Self-Harm Victimology is the collection and assessment of any significant information as it pertains to the victim and his or her lifestyle. Investigators must know the victim and complete a victimology study on every suicide, you cannot properly investigate a death without it.  Ultimately you need to find out, in detail, who the victim was and what was going on at the time of their death. The best source of information will be friends, family, employers, and neighbors. Your goal is to get to know the victim better than they knew themselves.