And if so, for how long?
Someone close to me killed himself in 1997 and I wanted to try to get hold of the note as part of research for a book. Is it worth me bothering?
2006-12-28 09:07:14 · 9 answers · asked by britishlol 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
You need the Coroners Office for that really - they will probably have more information.
Whether or not they will let you have it is a different matter.
2006-12-28 09:09:59 · answer #1 · answered by puffy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest contacting the local department. All evidence in a suicide is held until the case is closed. At that point some material will be returned to family, if there is any. Other items may be stored or even destroyed if they take up too much room. Every so often evidence is cleared out because there just isn't sufficient storage space.
If you decide to contact the investigating agency you will want to know the victim's name, approximate time of the suicide, and if possible a case number and investigator. This will greatly streamline the process.
At the conclusion of the investigation into my sibling's suicide we were able to receive several letters written and later seized as evidence.
2006-12-29 07:31:18 · answer #2 · answered by deus ex machina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this was determined to be a suicide in 1997 it is unlikely that either the police or the coroner would still be retaining the deceased's property. It would have been returned to his family or executor.
2006-12-28 17:13:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My agency holds onto suicide evidence until the case is completely finished, then we release it to the family or destroy it, depending on what the family wants.
Contact the agency who has the note and see what they tell you. Good luck.
2006-12-29 00:43:27 · answer #4 · answered by dogguy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure they do, as some suicides turn out to be disguised homicides.
No idea how long they keep the evidence, though.
2006-12-28 17:09:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it took about 5 years for a family i know to get their kins belongings, U.K ...that was 10 years ago things might have changed since then.
2006-12-28 17:13:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the coroner should have done a report on the incidence
2006-12-28 17:11:11 · answer #7 · answered by http://hogshead.pokerknave.com/ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
as far as i know, all evidence is held onto and filed. check it out, it cant hurt to ask, you wont find out otherwise.
2006-12-28 17:09:45 · answer #8 · answered by lamyarhull 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes.they are supposed to keep them.so try anyway.
you're writing a book?what about?
2006-12-28 22:31:22 · answer #9 · answered by best_ever_lay 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋