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Careers: Police/Help with a Fictional Story?

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Expert: - 11/3/2011


Question
Thank you for taking the time to look at my question. Here it is.

I am writing a story that involves a woman that collapses from what appears to be heart failure. She has been diagnosed with coronary artery disease previously by her physician. She collapses in a public venue, dies on the way to the hospital and they are unable to revive her.

Is there any way the medical examiner would investigate the death and determine the cause of death without actually doing an autopsy or screening for toxins? If it appeared to be of natural causes?

Thanks for your help!

Answer
Jodi,

I can't answer for any other state or even any other police department.  But in my state and on my department the medical examiner would be involved in this case.  He might be advised of the circumstances and medical history.  He might choose to view the body.  On the other hand if this woman was under the care of a doctor and he was willing to sign the death certificate listing heart failure as the cause of death then there would be no autopsy unless the family doctor insisted on it.

Once again it depends on where it happened.

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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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