Sudden Death And Found Human Remains

Policy No:
02/00-39
Effective Date:

Legislative/Regulatory Requirements

Section 29 of the Adequacy Standards Regulation requires a police services board to have a policy on investigations into found human remains.

Section 12(1)(j) requires the Chief of Police to develop and maintain procedures on and processes for undertaking and managing investigations into found human remains.

In addition to the above legislative requirements, a number of Chief Coroner’s Memoranda outline protocols to be followed during the investigation of:

  • sudden and unexpected deaths of children under two years of age;

  • multiple fatality incidents, as well as railway fatalities and aviation fatalities;

  • persons dying in hospitals following suspected accidents, suicides or homicides;

  • firearm-related suicides; and

  • homicides.

Board Policy

It is the policy of the Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board with respect to sudden or unexplained death investigations and investigations into found human remains that the Chief of Police will:

  1. develop and maintain procedures that require that investigations into sudden or unexplained deaths and found human remains be considered potential homicides and be undertaken in accordance with the police service’s criminal investigation management plan; 

  2. ensure that officers investigating sudden or unexplained death and found human remains occurrences have the knowledge, skills and abilities required; and

  3. where an occurrence falls within the definition of a major case, ensure that officers comply with the procedures set out in the Ministry’s designated Ontario Major Case Management Manual.