Case Notes:
At 2:18am (0218) on July 18, 2014 John Michael Phillips was discovered by Duane NMN Johnson and Anthony Alonzo Capri. The body founders are self-reported to be friends of the deceased. The deceased was discovered with a needle in his arm and multiple contusions and lacerations to his face and scalp. The police are treating this death as suspicious. The discovery occurred at 64 Church Street, Virtual, MD, which is located next to the Westview housing project. This housing project has had multiple police calls and requested police presence over the past 12 months. In addition, the Narcotics Task Force has conducted multiple drug stings and other drug enforcement operations in the Westview Housing Project in the past 12 months. The police stated that there are two John Michael Phillips listed in their records. The record for each lists multiple charges of drug possession. Neither of the men who reported the body claims to know the birthday of their friend. The Phillips with a DOB of 07181991 is currently incarcerated in the Virtual Jail. Based on the booking photo of the other Phillips (DOB 01201992) the detectives made a preliminary ID. However, the multiple lacerations to the face are making a positive ID difficult.
The reason the police are treating the death as suspicious, despite the indications it is a drug overdose death, are the lacerations to the face, the contusions to the skull and the fact that the back of the victim's skull is caved in. As the ground where the body was discovered is rocky, it is possible that the victim hit his head after overdosing. However, there was a lack of blood in the area the victim was discovered which made the detectives suspicious.
The victim was discovered wearing blue jean shorts, Levi's, size 34, a white cotton t-shirt, size large, Calvin Kline briefs, medium, Sketchers athletic shoes, size 10, white with blue stripes and no socks. The victim also wore a gold-colored Citizens watch, multiple fabric (yarn) type bracelets, one beaded necklace and one silver colored ring on his right ring finger. The victim did not have a wallet or any type of identification on his person. The victim was carrying $117 in cash (5 $20 bills, 1 $10 bill and 7 $1 bills). The victim also had $1.45 in change (4 quarters, 3 dimes and 3 nickels). Except for the clothing, all other property was removed by the death investigator sent to the scene by the medical examiner's office and turned over to the police.
Assignment:
As a medico-legal death investigator, you will work with many agencies and members of the public while performing your duties. An important consideration to keep in mind as you progress in your criminal justice career is the respect and understanding due to victims, family members, and next of kin. The interactions you have with these parties will shape the public's opinion and support of forensics and law enforcement.
For this assignment, you will be given a case study to review. You will write an external briefing to be attached to the case report and the autopsy report. The briefing will go to the family of the deceased. Include the following:
All aspects of the death scene, including location, conditions, and pertinent information
All aspects of the property of the deceased that either was on the decedent when he or she was taken to the medical examiner's office or was taken from the scene for evidence, and the disposition of any other property
Condition of the body as regarding the possibility of a funeral and options available to the family regarding funeral contacts, services, and methods
Explain and describe the investigative procedures which may have been or were used during the investigation (based on information discussed and learned in class)
In writing this report, be mindful of your audience. What do you think a family member would need to know or want to know, and how should the information be presented? Be mindful of ethical disclosure, legal implications, and level of discretion when writing your report.
The report should be organized in a logical manner and written with professional language with the following requirements:
Between 3 and 5 pages in length.
Business letter or memorandum format.
Double-spaced, 1" margins, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, indented paragraphs, appropriate headers.
First person, past tense, active voice.