garda notification procedures in case of death

rogber

Two questions which I hope some experienced head here can answer:
If somebody dies a non-natural death in Ireland e.g. in an accident or suicide - do the Guards always inform next of kin in person (by calling to the door) or could this be done by telephone?
Second, is body identification by next of kin always required, and if so, where does this take place? presumably at morgue?

TheNog

rogber wrote: »

Two questions which I hope some experienced head here can answer:
If somebody dies a non-natural death in Ireland e.g. in an accident or suicide - do the Guards always inform next of kin in person (by calling to the door) or could this be done by telephone?
Second, is body identification by next of kin always required, and if so, where does this take place? presumably at morgue?

Notification should always be done in person by a Garda if the next of kin lives in this jurisdiction. If the next of kin lives outside the jurisdiction then assistance from the local police force is sought to break the news.

The formal identification of a body is usually done in a morgue unless in some circumstances where the body is found by a family member it can be done at scene

Inspector Dhar

If there is a sudden and/or unexpected death, the Gardaí are notified, and they will attend the scene. They will alert the coroner. The Gardaí have to have the deceased identified. This is usually done by the next of kin, or somebody nominated by the NOK. For this to happen, the Guards will have to get in touch with the NOK, and this is done by calling to the person's home/workplace if at all possible.

rogber

Thanks very much for your informative answers.

rogber

Inspector Dhar wrote: »

If there is a sudden and/or unexpected death, the Gardaí are notified, and they will attend the scene. They will alert the coroner. The Gardaí have to have the deceased identified. This is usually done by the next of kin, or somebody nominated by the NOK. For this to happen, the Guards will have to get in touch with the NOK, and this is done by calling to the person's home/workplace if at all possible.

A last follow up question: is the identification normally done by glimpsing the physical body, or simply with a photograph of the deceased?

BaronVon

Normally done with the physical body. In exceptional circumstances, eg bad state of decomposition, photo's will be used.

Foggy Jew

infacteh wrote: »

Normally done with the physical body. In exceptional circumstances, eg bad state of decomposition, photo's will be used.

DNA or Dental records are far preferable for identification purposes to photographic ID. Photographs can be manipulated. Scars or tattoos can also be used for ID.