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Expert: - 12/2/2009


Question
Hello Jack, thank you for your help.

I am a writer and currently working on a story revolving around a suspected suicide. In this case the victim has driven herself into a river and drowned. I would like to know what the police procedure would be once the body is found. Do they assume that it is a homicide first before considering suicide? What things would be looked at? Also, would they search her home for a suicide note? Or just leave that to family and friends to provide if they find one?

Thanks again for any help you can give.

Answer
Laura,

I'll have to start out by saying that there really is no "police procedure".  I say that because every case is different, every department is different, and every investigator is a human being who makes his/her own decisions.  

What I can tell you is what MIGHT happen.  All deaths are considered homicides until proven otherwise.  That probably answers your first question.  If all they have is a car in the river with a body in it I would think that the police would certainly interview family and friends and look in the house for a note.  Without doing that this would seem to be a traffic mishap with a drowning as the result.  The police would never rely on relatives because the relatives could easily dispose of any note because of the shame involved.

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Jack Toomey

Expertise

U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.

Experience

Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.

Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.

Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.

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