Peabody officer attends training
Recently Sergeant Bruce Burke with the Peabody Police Department attended the 11th annual Death Investigation Conference in Fairview Heights, Ill. The training was 17 hours in length and provided facilitation and instruction in all types of death investigations except death by vehicular accident. The conference was sponsored by the Illinois Coroners and Medical Examiners Association.
Guest instructors for the course were David W. Rivers, retired sergeant with the homicide bureau of Metropolitan Dade County (Florida) Police Department, and Sandra C. Mays, director (ret.) Wyoming State Crime Lab, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.
Some of the topics covered included crime scene management and reconstruction, manner vs. cause of death, collection of physical evidence, common problems and errors at crime scenes, collection and packaging of evidence including blood, bloodstains and bullet trajectory, homicide, suicide and accident investigations, cold case investigations, dealing with the media, next of kin notification, and case studies.
Crimes against people continue to rise in number. Oftentimes these crimes against people are made more complex by the use of illegal drugs by not only the suspect but victim as well. The use of alcohol by suspects, victims, or witnesses further enhances the problems encountered by law enforcement officers in these types of investigations.
Criminal and civil liabilities continue to be a big factor in investigation of these types of crimes. Being able to apply what was learned through this type of training will greatly enhance the service the Peabody Police Department provides to the public. Officers working these types of investigations will be more accurate in determining cause and manner of death.
Sgt. Bruce Burke investigates crimes against people for the Peabody Police Department.
