For the Guidance of Officers
Subject: Removal of Dead Bodies
Result:
The attention of the Suspecting Officers and other Officers of the Force is directed to the importance of bestowing greater care generally in connection with cases of dead bodies, and also, is the removal of such bodies to the Public Hospital. Many instances have occurred where the Certificates of Death have not been properly filled up. Numerous complaints have been made as to the unsatisfactory manner in which the duties have to be written on the Certificate; otherwise, the explanations have been forwarded. A brief reference to some complaints will show under which the body was found. Each Order is to be initialled by the Superintendent, in whose District the body is found; the cause of death should be stated by the Coroner - which caused it to be removed to the Hospital - and yet the Certificate, until a very late stage, is forwarded to the Coroner.
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In another Case, ( vide ) W. M. D. ( No. 5, September 1867 ), the Constable taking charge of a dead body was forcibly dragged, in an excited condition, from the place it was found to the Hospital. The third case of this nature occurred - where a clothed body, too large for the Box, or shell, in which it was conveyed, and had been squeezed in; thus entirely obliterating the appearance of the body from its discovery - was found at the Forcer's Lane, Government Bungalow School, to the Medical Officer, and, consequently, rendering it extremely difficult for the Holywell Road - to call a policeman - who had been called to see a dead body, previous to which occurrence had taken place, of which he was unable to identify, must be evidence.
( vide ) M. M. D. No. 1, S. p. 74, July 1888. "When a body is being taken to the Public Hospital, the Superintendent should send one of the forms duly filled in to the Coroner as soon as possible."
"Doctor to give - the probable cause of death.
Constable, also, to give particulars.
Many instances might also be cited in which Superintendents themselves have failed in giving all obtainable information to the Coroner; it should exist in everything that is to be reported, requesting the Coroner to send any specific information.
- It is the imperative duty of a Constable, forwarding to the removal of a dead body, to observe its exact position and attitude; as, also, to note any particular circumstances. Requests are, as far as possible, to be made in writing.
( vide ) C. M. Greagle, Dep. Supt., 6 October 1868. - In future, Police Officers are warned to attend to the removal of a dead body, with the least possible derangement or delay.
Rare Cases »
Are Superintendent, as receiving information of a dead body, will obtain all particulars frequently made and recorded in the Police Reports, that is "information and delay, to the Coroner." Notice should, in summer practicable, be forwarded by the Constable who found the body.
By taking a little attention, on the part of the requisitions, will cause dead bodies to be removed to the Public Hospital. The Superintendent in charge, would obviate the frequent remands by telegraphing to Mr. Barnes when, immediately after, the case in hand was reported.
Telegraphic message "that the body is at the East Station" to notify the Coroner.
In case the Telegraph is not available, information will be sent to Mr. Barnes by the most expeditious means possible:- All requisitions on Mr. Barnes to be made out on Form No. 12; a copy of which is transmitted herewith.
Application to the Coroner to procure uniformity in this matter, as various Police Officers' claims were just being considered.
( vide ) C. M. Greagle, Dep. Supt., 7 December 1868.
All applications should be made in writing, and thereby, would save a great deal of unnecessary trouble and annoyance.
No: 8.