Death and Seriously Injured Persons Notification

Definitions

For purposes of this policy, Next of Kin is defined as:

The closest relative of the deceased including spouse, parents, brothers or sisters, and children.

Procedures

The following is a list of procedures that are to be used in the event that a death or seriously injured persons incident has occurred on any lands or waters that are owned, controlled, maintained, administered or leased by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. This also includes incidents where any officer from ODNR is the primary investigator outside of the lands or waters that are owned, controlled, maintained or leased by ODNR. (e.g. hunting incident, boating incident, etc.)

1. All death or notifications are the responsibility of the Supervisor, Manager or Officer in charge or Divisions Chief's designee.
2. All death or seriously injured persons notifications that are the responsibility of the ODNR shall be made in person by an ODNR uniformed officer.
3. Information gathering and notification preparation.
   1. Prior to making the notification the officers shall familiarize themselves with the following information:
      1. Full name of the victim
      2. Age
      3. Race
      4. Home address
      5. Details of the death or seriously injured
      6. Location of the body and /or personal effects
      7. Any other pertinent information surrounding the death
      8. Next of kin information (e.g. spouse, parent etc.)
   2. When an ODNR Supervisor, Manager or Officer requests that another law enforcement agency make the next of kin notification due to logistical circumstances, the Supervisor, Manager or Officer shall supply the information described in Section C-1and request from the agency making the notification the following:
      1. The agency makes the next of kin notification in person.
      2. The agency makes immediate verification when notification has been made.
   3. Supervisors, Managers or Officers have the authority to refuse notification if the identity of the victim or the identity of next of kin has not been confirmed.

Making notification

1. Two officers should make notification if at all possible. A request may be made to have another professional assist with the notification (e.g. Physician, Clergy, etc).
2. Officers shall make every reasonable effort to make the death notification in the privacy of the next of kin's home or in another location away from the general public.
   1. In the event notification is made at the next of kin's place of employment, Officers shall try to speak with the person?s immediate supervisor prior to making notification and ask for a private place to meet to make notification.
3. Once notification has been made officers shall notify their supervisor and the ODNR radio room that notification has been completed.
4. Officers should provide next of kin with sufficient time to regain composure before proceeding. Officers shall not leave upon completion of the notification until reasonably assured that the survivor has adequate control and/or family or close friend(s) readily available to provide support. Officers should assess the physical and emotional well being of the survivor before departing.
5. Officers should not leave a lone next of kin unattended until all reasonable efforts have been made to obtain first-hand support from the next of kin's family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, clergy, crisis counselors or other community social services agency.

Training

1. Divisions of the Department of Natural Resources shall provide training to Supervisors, Managers or Officers in charge or Division's Chief's designee. Training shall consist of but is not limited to:
   1. The responsibility of the Supervisors, Manager or Officer in charge or his/her designee in accordance of this policy.
   2. The Ohio revised code section 4501.80
   3. Divisional direction for making next of kin notification.