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Newport News Police Department
OPERATIONAL MANUAL
OPS - 425 – DEATH INVESTIGATIONS
Amends/Supersedes: OPS-425 (02/06/2023) Date of Issue: 04/28/2025
I. GENERAL
A. When a report of a deceased person is received, uniformed patrol officers, a patrol supervisor, and an
ambulance shall respond. Upon arrival at the scene of a reported death, the officers must determine if
the death appears to be from natural causes, accidental, or by violent or suspicious means.
B. A physician or qualified medical technician (ambulance/rescue personnel) makes the actual
determination of death.
II. PROCEDURES
A. Death by Apparent Natural Causes
If death appears to be from natural causes, the officers shall follow the below-listed guidelines:
1. Notify the next of kin as soon as possible (see OPS-530 Emergency Notifications and Messages); [55.2.6]
2. Obtain all available information concerning the deceased, including any past medical history and
attending physician, if any.
3. Brief the attending physician concerning the death. If the attending physician is unavailable, contact
the Medical Examiner’s Office. [41.2.4]
4. Upon authorization from the attending physician or medical examiner (they must agree to sign the
death certificate), arrange for the removal of the body utilizing the funeral home requested by the
family.
5. Officers will use the Natural Death Worksheet (NNPD Form #84) on-scene to ensure all necessary
information is collected for the IBR. To ensure the Homicide Unit receives the information in a timely
manner, officers will scan and email the worksheet to Homicide Unit by the end of their shift.
6. If natural death occurs in a public place, cover or conceal the body from public view pending
authorization for removal by the medical examiner. Once authorized, the removal shall be made as
quickly as possible.
7. Officers will complete an incident-based report utilizing the deceased person template/narrative.
B. Notification of Funeral Home / Body Removal Services
1. The on-call body removal service will be notified in all medical examiner cases or cases when the
decedent's family is unknown or cannot be contacted.
2. In all other cases, the decedent's family or next of kin must select a funeral home.
3. The Communications Division will maintain a list of participating body removal services and, when
requested, will contact the next available service on the list.
C. Death by Violence, Suicide, Illegal Drug Overdose, Accidental or Suspicious Nature (all Unnatural Deaths)
1. If a person dies by any of the above circumstances, the responding officers will make their
preliminary investigation, secure the scene from all unnecessary personnel/traffic, notify a
supervisor to respond, make any arrests, if indicated, separate and detain witnesses, and notify the
on-call Major Crimes Division (MCD) supervisor. [42.2.1(b,c]
a. The responding officers will brief the supervisor and homicide investigators upon their arrival.
b. The supervisor is responsible for notifying the Assistant Chief of Investigations.
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