In complex crime scenes involving dismembered or decomposed remains, and multiple casualty events, one body bag isn’t always enough to meet the requirements of the situation. In this article, we will look at why it’s often essential to have multiple crime scene body bags on hand when attending complex scenes, and how a responsive body bag supplier can support your needs.
Is One Bag Enough For A Single Body?
In standard emergency first response scenarios, a single body bag per decedent is normally sufficient. However, this isn’t always the case for complex crime scenes, in which remains may include body parts from multiple persons. In these situations, not only should each intact body have a separate body bag, but dismembered body parts should also be placed in individual bags to maintain the integrity of individual evidence. This is essential for delivering accurate forensic analysis and also for preventing cross contamination.
Clear Labelling And Scene Organisation
Using separate bags in this way also allows you to properly label and document each body or constituent part, which is crucial for maintaining a chain of custody and for accurate record-keeping in complex crime events. Individual bags allow forensic teams to process remains separately back at the lab, which can be more efficient in complex cases involving multiple victims than processing them all collectively. The same applies to other associated evidence, such as clothing and personal items. Using separate bags for these items helps to ensure that each is preserved in its original state for analysis, and assists forensic teams in organising the crime scene effectively.
On a human level too, separating the remains also shows respect for the deceased, and can be important for cultural or religious reasons.
So, is the solution to come equipped with multiple full-sized bags? Not necessarily. While you will need adequate bags of the appropriate sizes to accommodate intact bodies or complete remains (where all anatomical components from a specific individual are present), dismembered or partial remains could be better transported using multiple small bags. These are often easier to handle and transport than a single large and heavy bag containing multiple remains from different individuals – and this avoids the issue of disrespect for the deceased alluded to above.
Biohazard And Contamination Concerns
You may also need multiple bags if the remains are highly decomposed or contaminated with infectious agents or chemicals. Additional bags may be needed in these circumstances to contain biohazards or fluids securely.
Next Steps
At Slik-Pak, we offer a variety of body bags for dead persons at competitive rates and flexible order volumes, helping your teams respond to the challenges of crime scene forensics. For more information about the right solution for your department, please speak to one of the experts at Slik-Pak today for free advice.
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