Sudden infant death

First line police officers responding to a sudden infant death may find these guidelines useful:

		Police responsibilities
		Investigating
		Notes about the infant
		Notes about the home
		Notes about the death
		Notes about the medical history

Police responsibilities (Sudden infant death)

In centres where special units respond quickly to deaths, the first officer at the scene only secures the scene until they arrive.

In centres where special units are either not available or will take a long time to respond, the first officer at the scene may investigate a sudden infant death.

A child less than 2 years old can die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The police must investigate the possibility of homicide. The parents are usually devastated; use tact with them.

1. Explain to the parents that the police must investigate the possibility of homicide.
2. Find out the facts of the infant's death.
3. Notify the coroner.
4. Identify and label the body and clothes.
5. Arrange transport of the body to the mortuary.
6. Make complete notes about the death.
7. Investigate further if you suspect homicide.

Next

Top

Investigating (Sudden infant death)

1. Examine and photograph the scene.
2. Collect items of evidence relevant to the death.
3. Interview the family, caregiver, and other witnesses.
4. Use open-ended questions such as:
• Tell me step-by-step what has happened since this time yesterday.
5. Consult the CAS about the background of the family and caregiver.
6. Consider asking the family doctor or neighbours about the family and caregiver.
7. Consult the coroner and attend the autopsy if you have any suspicion of homicide. If you attend:
   • collect the X-rays
   • photograph the body
8. Discuss the results of the investigation with the CAS and the coroner to reach a conclusion about the cause of the infant's death.

See also Witness or victim interviews

See also Open-ended questioning

See also Evidence from the autopsy

Next

Top

Notes about the infant (Sudden infant death)

Record the following about the infant:

• name, address, and DOB
• time, date, and place of death
• who last saw the infant alive and when
• who last fed the infant and when
• colour, bruising, or external marks
• evidence of sweating, illness, or neglect
• rigor mortis
• post mortem findings

Next

Top

Notes about the home (Sudden infant death)

Record the following about the home:

• a description of the home: house, apartment, motel
• a description of the room where the infant died
• the heat source in relation to the infant's bed
• the temperature and humidity in the infant's room
• any defect in the heating
• any odours or new paint
• a description of the infant's bed or crib, any defects
• the condition of the infant's mattress

Next

Top

Notes about the death (Sudden infant death)

Record the following about the death:

• who was in the home at the time of the death
• who was sleeping with the infant, if anyone
• what position the infant went to sleep in
• what clothing the infant was wearing
• whether the infant was wrapped in a blanket
• what toys were in the infant's bed or crib

Next

Top

Notes about the medical history (Sudden infant death)

Record the following about the infant's medical history:

• any illnesses or medical conditions
• the infant's normal sleeping pattern
• the name and telephone number of:
  • the infant's doctor
  • the family doctor
  • the doctor confirming the death

See also Notetaking

Top