Key Considerations

+ Transcript

In criminal events when a subject is deceased the same protocol can be utilized to notify the subject’s family. However, it is best practice not to utilize the same Death Notification Team for the victim’s family and the subject’s family. Also, it is not recommended that a victim advocate accompany law enforcement or coroner to provide the death notification to the subject’s family. This can create role confusion for all parties as the subject is not a crime victim. A chaplain may be a better choice.

There may be a lasting impact on the victim’s loved ones if the subject is deceased. There may not be a criminal justice process thus creating a lot of unanswered questions and a sense of no justice. Also, if the victim and subject are from the same family, the grief process can be complicated for the Next of Kin. It is important to stick to the facts when delivering the death notification and not insert personal opinions.

Deceased Subject (Criminal Suspect)

It is best practice not to utilize the same Death Notification Team for the victim’s family and the deceased subject’s family.

  • Subject’s Next of Kin notification
  • Impact on victim's family