[Az-Geocaching] Another cacher finds body near Las Vegas

[Brian - Team A.I.]

Well, first and foremost, provide the location (waypoint it if necessary).
If you find a dead body, don't disturb it at all, as you contaminate the
scene.  Don't look for ID, cellphone, keys, anything.  Just leave the body
be, which includes not walking around it if at all possible.  If you have a
cell signal, 911 is an appropriate number to call for this type of
situation.  Not many people have the various city police non-emergency
numbers in their cellphones, which is why 911 is so often used, even when it
isn't necessary.  Depending on where you are, stop at the first payphone or
the closest point where you got a cell signal and report the incident.

Unfortunately, most dispatchers aren't going to fully understand the
coordinates as you provide them, but it could be an opportunity to educate.
However, if a helicopter is sent out, they most certainly will understand
the coordinates provided to them by the Dispatcher.  You'll most likely be
asked for your information, or asked to return to the scene to wait for
officers.  I think I'm one of only 2 in my center that understand what
lat/long fully mean, and how to convert the info or pinpoint a location.
It's kind of sad, given the areas we cover, but the powers that be
apparently haven't seen the light in providing us with GPS training.

In my situation, I didn't have a cell signal and would have had to drive
several miles to get one.  I was worried about someone pulling up and taking
the revolver in her lap, but a Forest Ranger drove past just at the right
time.  Granted, many cars passed the scene and never bothered to stop, but
in cases like this, my perception differs from a lot of people.  As
Geocaching continues to grow, situations such as this are going to become
more common.  There were 2 cases literally in the last month of it if I'm
not mistaken.

Brian
Team A.I.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <insomniak@cox.net>
To: <listserv@azgeocaching.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2004 3:41 PM
Subject: [Az-Geocaching] Another cacher finds body near Las Vegas


> Perhaps we should consider posting instructions on what to do when coming
across someone's unfortunate demise.
>
> I'm kinda curious my self as to what are the proper steps to help out law
enforcement.
>
> Is it necessary to contact "9-1-1" or would it be more appropriate to
contant a non-emergency number?
>
> Which agency to do contact when you are (insert your favorite caching
location here.)?
>
> If you are out of range for your cell phone to work, how do you go about
contacting law enforcment?
>
> Will dispatchers be able to understand you giving them waypoint
information?
>
> There are other questions I can't think of now, but I'm sure I will later.
>
> I think Brian of Team A.I. (my team) and Trisha would probably have alot
of information.  It only seems likely that more cachers will find these
types of things, and knowing what to do ahead of time.
>
> Jake - Team A.I.
>
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