Police forensic teams should always maintain an adequate supply of cadaver bags to handle both routine cases and potential multiple casualty events. However, the exact number that constitutes ‘adequate’ depends on factors such as your expected caseload, storage capacity, and any local emergency response plans. Let’s look at these factors in greater detail to help you estimate the appropriate number for your circumstances.
- Expected caseload: assess your average caseload based on past data, including the number of deaths requiring forensic investigation per year. Seasonal variations may also influence the need for additional stock, as may crime trends and forecasts in specific areas.
- Storage capacity: how much storage you have available for cadaver bags will ultimately determine how many can be kept on site at any one time. Bags should always be stored in a clean, dry and accessible location to keep them in good condition. Working with a good body bag supplier, such as Slik-Pak, will avoid the need to stockpile more bags than you need.
- Local emergency response plans: ideally, your stock level should be aligned with local disaster preparedness plans. Collaboration with local NHS Trusts and emergency first response agencies can help you determine the appropriate number of body bags for these scenarios, so that you always have enough to align with potential multiple casualty events.
What Is The Best Type Of Forensic Body Bag?
Of the various types of body bag available, what are the best to keep on hand for forensic teams? We always recommend keeping a stock of standard durable body bags available for general purposes, such as transporting remains from a scene to a morgue, as well as heavy duty bags, which are thicker and more robust to handle heavier remains and challenging conditions.
However, it’s also important for forensic teams to have fluid retentive bags available to reduce exposure risks for your forensic personnel. These are a valuable asset when handling remains in an advanced state of decomposition, and for remains that may pose a health risk or biohazard – such as those known to be contaminated by chemicals or infectious diseases. These fluid retentive bags provide an additional layer of protection against odours, gases, and hazardous fluids, and make the scene cleaner and safer to process, as well as preventing leakage and contamination.
Fluid Retentive Bags And Crime Scene Forensics
Many forensic guidelines recommend fluid retentive bags for properly handling human remains at crime scenes. This is because they allow teams to remove remains from crime scenes quickly and efficiently – this is essential for maintaining the crime scene’s integrity and allowing police investigators to evaluate other evidence more effectively.
Body Bag Suppliers: Contact Slik-Pak Today
At Slik-Pak, we supply a range of standard and specialist dead body bags suitable for use by police and independent forensic teams. To request a quote or to find out more, please contact us today.
