PoliceLink

What do you think of death scene photographs that are leaked and later show up on the internet or in mass-forwarded emails?  I have seen a few of these, including one of a local motorcyclist (in Tulsa) who hit the back of a  stationary semi-truck while doing somewhere around 120 mph.  The last time I saw the email, someone had changed the typed information to claim this kid lived because he was wearing a helmet.  He didn't.  His family was very upset about the photographs being circulated.  However, I don't think anyone was able to determine who took the photos (i.e. local cop, Trooper, EMSA, etc.) or who initiated the distribution.

I'm curious as to how people feel about this and whether or not they feel differently depending on:  the cause of death, whether or not the person was under the influence of anything, whether or not this was a law enforcement brother or sister depicted, etc.  Does anyone have any ideas as to how to limit the number of people taking photos (in the day of cell phone cameras), etc., without having an officer stationed right by the body the whole time?

I have to agree with Chimp, but having discussed this situation many times in my classes (because the issue does come up), with friends who are attorneys, and as an EMT I can tell you these pictures get out.  You'll have someone there, usually a reporter, with a really good camera who can get a couple of good shots then they wind up in the general public's view.  Unfortunately, and this comes from what I have learned and from my friends, these photo hogs are protected by the Constitution (1st Ammendment). 

I will find myself looking at death photos mostly because my curiosity gets peaked and I guess that's why a majority of people look at them...natural human curiosity.  On the other hand you will also have a small group that will argue "What's so different about looking at these death photos compared to looking at death photos of those who died years or even centuries ago?"  I've heard it before.

Personally, I believe that taking these photos and then having them published for financial gain or sending them out because you are bored or trying to impress people and not realizing that this is going to hurt the family and friends of that person or persons in those photos just because you are praticing your right to be an idiot...WRONG.

I'm not really talking about by-standers taking photos and sending them out, but more along the lines of local cops, Troopers, EMSA, and other emergency response personnel.  These photos are not necessarily the "official" crime scene photos, but possibly just souveniers.  I've known several cops who always took personal photos of their crime scenes, especially when death was involved.

I admit I have looked at the emails and forwarded some to a select few.  I wasn't in a police capacity, however.  Was it wrong of me to do so?  Maybe.  I only forwarded to cops, so maybe not.

cntymnty says ...

You cannot really stop people from taking pics. Especially with their cell phones. The key is effective and complete scene management. If people can't get close enought then they have no picture. The ACLU jerks would cry "freedom of the press" and other excuses.

The funny thing is that we have gotten in trouble more than once at fatals, when the looky loos insist on looking and then phone in a complaint because "little Johnny" saw a dead person.

The don't look, stupid and shield your precious cargo from the harsh realitys of life.

Also, Chimp, at least here, we don't dare try and take someone's camera or film.

You make an excellent point!  Especially about Johnny Looker wanting to get a looksie and then complaining about Johnny Jr. having nightmares because he saw a dead body.  Why not just show the kid a Freddy Krueger movie instead of reality?

shepherdg says ...

We had a fatality on base couple of years ago.  Good thing about being on a military installation is that we can take your cameras and cellphones and destroy any and all pictures.  Of course when you're perimeter has personnel armed with M4's and one with a 249 you tend to get your point across.

LOL I agree,

When I went through the reserve academy they said take there camera or phone or whatever it is and use it as evidence or tell them to scat before you take there stuff

Oh I didn't say I would take their phones, cameras or film illegally.  I'm just saying they wouldn't have any pictures to take with them that's all ......  There are several options though like, you are intefering with a possible criminal investigation so delete them or I will, or Now I have to seize your phone, camera, etc as evidence for my investigation unless you delete them.  Plus I have a special way with people, which some may know from reading my troll posts, and we will just leave it at that.  

I am a fatal accident investigator and have seen my share of death, more so at my old PD.  People were dropping around me so frequently for a while that nobody wanted to work with me or ride with me and I have taken plenty of photos at accidents, suicides, suspicious deaths, etc.  All of them were evidentuary and never, ever did I take souvenier pics.  No matter what the cause or manner of death, the victim deserves better than that especially from us. 

I know it is done but I won't do it and I don't agree with it.  I was on a fatal pedestrian MVA about 2 months ago where a 21 yr old was struck by a car.  Sadly I have known the victim since he was a little guy and am friends with his mother.  Other guys not knowing this and me being 1st on scene, they asked if I was able to snap a cellphone pic.  I don't think any of them will ever ask me that question again.  Of course I know this was normal human curiosity along with the added touch of being cops but I don't go for it and I certainly wouldn't tolerate it on a scene from anybody because it's just wrong.  Looking at evidence pics in the case is one thing, but taking photos just to spread around is immoral and an embarassment to us and the victim's families.   I will and have done just about everything else and will make a joke about just about any other topic but this isn't one of them.

Aw c'mon!  Nobody else has any interest in this topic? 

It is going to continue to happen and there isn't really much that can be done about it.

shellgame says ...

And Trace, I know it's going to happen, but what do you think about it?  Do you think the people who put this stuff in circulation are low-lifes, just trying to educate, what?  

Honestly, since we all know it'll never stop, I don't think about it much. However, it could be both useful and harmful at the same time.

Sure, you're going to have the ones that will exploit it. Yet, just one gruesome photograph, may make that one individual think twice about doing something as stupid as driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs...

trace1 says ...

shellgame says ...

And Trace, I know it's going to happen, but what do you think about it?  Do you think the people who put this stuff in circulation are low-lifes, just trying to educate, what?  

Honestly, since we all know it'll never stop, I don't think about it much. However, it could be both useful and harmful at the same time.

Sure, you're going to have the ones that will exploit it. Yet, just one gruesome photograph, may make that one individual think twice about doing something as stupid as driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs...

 

I have to agree with Trace.  It will happen inspite of how tight the scene might be.  And it might work both ways...  Kinda like the old B&W "Death on the Highways" movies we had to watch in high school Driver Ed Class.  Those were certainly graphic enough...  Maybe someone might think twice before they do something dumb [........nawwwww]

My belief though is that no matter how much of a putz the person may have been in life, they are still due some measure of dignity in death.  Those pictures should remain in the investigator files or ME files.  They don't need to be shopped around the internet.

It sounds like your news station wasn't a "If it bleeds, it leads" type of station.  If they took video, did they show the really graphic stuff on the air?  I agree that they all deserve to have as much dignity in their deaths as possible.  It's kind of hard to have that when some internet site is showing full-color close-ups of the mangled bodies...