10-101.01 - Crime Scene Supervision – Critically Ill or Injured Children

Policy

When responding to a call of a child under the age of five, who is DOA or has become suddenly or unexpectedly ill or injured, protocol shall be:

1. Officers shall notify Car 710 and a supervisor, who shall respond to the scene. 
2. Officers shall gather information from the caretaker/parents as to the circumstances surrounding the illness or injury. If more than one parent/caretaker is present, officers should attempt to separate the individuals and gather the information while they are apart. If a parent/caretaker is not at the scene, officers shall attempt to contact them by phone as soon as possible.
3. Officers shall identify everyone at the scene, including full name, date of birth, address, phone number, etc.
4. If possible, officers shall obtain Fire Department and EMS run numbers, employee names, and ambulance or station number for the offense report.
5. Car 710 or the on-scene supervisor shall make the determination of whether Car 9 should be notified.
6. Car 710 or the on-scene supervisor may contact the Family Violence Unit for more direction or assistance if needed.
7. Car 710 or the on-scene supervisor shall make the determination whether the scene should be photographed by Crime Lab personnel.
8. After clearing the scene, officers shall immediately enter a CAPRS report entitled “DOA, HLTWEL, CHLDAB, or another appropriate CAPRS code.”
9. The on-scene supervisor shall determine which officers must make a supplement in the CAPRS report.
10. Officers shall always err on the side of protecting the child victim or siblings. If other children are in the home, officers must consider their safety and well being. These children may have to be placed on a Health and Welfare hold. Officers shall attempt to place the child(ren) in the care of a responsible relative or another responsible person if the legal parent/guardian agrees to the placement.

For children five years of age or above, officers may also be called to the scene if paramedics determine that circumstances surrounding the injury or illness are suspicious.

It is important to remember that in these types of cases, things are not always as they appear. It is imperative that officers at the scene balance the need to protect the child’s and the parent’s rights. Officers shall not openly accuse the caretaker/parent of child abuse.

Officers shall limit their questioning of the child to just getting the basic facts of what occurred. The child may be interviewed at Corner House at a later date, and detailed questioning by police or others may impede the investigation. If possible, separate the child and other child witnesses from the parent if circumstances dictate.

Notify Child Protection by phone at (612) 348-3552 or fax a copy of the report to (612) 348-9095.

• Investigation: A structured process of gathering, examining, and evaluating facts and evidence to determine what occurred, assess compliance with laws and policies, and support appropriate actions or decisions.