Medicolegal Death Investigators (MDIs) serve a unique function in public service. MDIs respond to death scenes and work to achieve three primary goals: to gather information that will assist the forensic pathologist in determining cause and manner of death, to confirm the identification of the deceased, and to locate and notify the decedent’s next-of-kin (NOK). The first goal is accomplished by responding to the place of death, documenting the scene, interviewing witnesses, and gathering various reports such as medical records and ambulance reports. Decedent identification can be confirmed by witnesses on scene, government-issued identification cards, fingerprints, or a variety of other methods. When identification cannot be confirmed, MDIs cannot complete the other two goals. Location and notification of NOK is accomplished by using the decedent’s identification to obtain leads regarding the names and locations of potential NOK. Though all three goals are essential functions for every death investigation, this presentation will focus on locating and notifying NOK. Not only does the NOK have a right to know that their loved one has died, but they also will need guidance and information on how to proceed with handling the funeral arrangements, obtaining death certificates, and settling the decedent’s estate. In an ideal situation, the decedent’s NOK will be present at the time of death and will still be present when MDIs arrive, but that is not always the reality. This presentation will provide information on potential ways MDIs may locate absent or not obvious NOK. Locating NOK can sometimes be the most difficult and time-consuming component of a medicolegal death investigation. This is a common challenge when working in Honolulu and other areas where there is a large population of transient individuals. Sometimes these transient individuals are tourists, active duty military personnel, houseless, and/or estranged from their families. This presentation will provide information on various web-based searches and some non-traditional resources that have been used to find and notify NOK in the most appropriate manner. Some attention will also be paid to the complications and leads that social media and traditional news media can have on this process.
Detailed Learning Objectives
- Attendees will identify common challenges in locating NOK.
- Attendees will learn a variety of methods that can be used to find NOK.
- Attendees will understand how the impact of social media and traditional media can assist when appropriate.