POLICE SURGEONS MUST HAVE A THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF THE FEATURES OF A FULLY-EQUIPPED INCIDENT HEADQUARTERS. BUILDINGS MUST BE REQUISITIONED AND LINES OF COMMUNICATION ESTABLISHED. WHEN VIEWING A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED DEATH, POLICE SURGEONS MUST ASK THEMSELVES FOUR QUESTIONS: WHETHER THE DEATH IS THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT SUICIDE, NATURAL CAUSES, OR MURDER. THEY CAN ASSIST HOSPITAL STAFF AT THE CONSULTANT LEVEL (PROVIDING A FULL HISTORY), THE CASUALTY LEVEL (ADVISING ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHS OF WOUNDS BEFORE THEY ARE SUTURED AND IDENTIFYING AND PRESERVING TRACE EVIDENCE), AND AT THE NURSING LEVEL (INSURING THAT ALL CLOTHING AND DRESSINGS ARE SEPARATELY PACKED AND PRESERVED FOR FORENSIC EXAMINATION). IN MURDER CASES, POLICE SURGEONS CAN OFTEN GIVE A REASONABLE ESTIMATE OF THE TIME OF DEATH, ESTABLISH A LIKELY CAUSE, ADVISE ON THE NATURE OF TRACE EVIDENCE AND ITS COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION, AND INDICATE ANY SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ASSAILANT. AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME, POLICE SURGEONS ARE MEMBERS OF A TEAM THAT INCLUDES CRIME EXAMINERS, FINGERPRINT OFFICERS, TIRE AND FOOTPRINT SPECIALISTS, FORENSIC SCIENTISTS, AND INVESTIGATING OFFICERS. PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW IN CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATIONS, PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO TRACE EVIDENCE AND THE EXAMINATION OF SUSPECTS, ARE DETAILED. PHOTOGRAPHS OF INJURIES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)