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DEATH INVESTIGATIONS
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In the law enforcement fraternity, a crime scene investigator is given the responsibilities of identifying, collecting, preserving and packaging evidence where a crime took place. Sometimes, they are mistaken for forensic professionals whose duties include carrying out tests on the physical evidence collected (Geberth, 2007). Although they can perform specific tests, their work is mostly limited to the crime scenes. On the other hand, the death scene investigators are also part of the law enforcement agencies. They are responsible for investigating scenes of suspicious, violent, unexpected or unexplained deaths. Thus, they are responsible for such views. They perform the scenes investigations, collecting information and deciding to what extent investigation will be necessary. In some police departments in the country, the CSI and the DSI perform similar duties at a death scene. They take notes, photographs of both the body and the scene, and also collecting crucial evidence that will be used in that particular case.
However, the two investigators are also different in their duties as well as qualification. A CSI is more of a generalist who will be called to almost every crime scene. Whereas, the DSI have specific functions. They in most cases only respond to death investigations. Typically, the CSI is a division in the police department, while, the DSI is also part of the department, they tend to work more for coroners’ or the medical examiners’ offices (Geberth, 2007).

At the scene of a crime, the CSI is given more duties than their counterparts. They are also more involved and have the chance to process every information at a given scene which is then forwarded to the DSI. The two investigators are also different in their qualification. As a CSI student, one spends most of their time learning different techniques of gathering information, evidence, crime scenes procedures and even how to interpret the data collected. On the other hand, a DSI is required to have a medical background or science related degree. They are often gotten from applicants with experience.
Investigations done on deaths are very complicated. Because they involve some groups working together, many things can go wrong. This is also coupled with the fact that each person working at the scene of the crime has their specific responsibilities (Geberth, 2007). Thus, there is always the problem of miscommunication, this if not well handled, will affect the outcome of the investigations. Therefore, a proper channel of communication must be developed. Knowing who gives instructions, whom to report to and who talks to the media and public will be important. Secondly, all communications concerning a particular death investigation should be synced. Every department involved must be well briefed and provided with up to date information. Apart from miscommunication, failure for the concerned parties to work as a team also affect the investigation process. In most cases, there is a competition of ego. Specific departments want to feel important more than others which ends up compromising the investigations. Professionals are called upon to work a unit. It is, therefore, the chief investigator is mandated with ensuring that a proper hierarchy is observed and that everyone access to the necessary resources they need to solve the crime. However, the most practical way of ensuring that errors are minimized during a death investigation is by providing that the officers are trained continuously and also undergo refresher courses (Geberth, 2007). Many of the mistakes are observed in new detectives and officers. Therefore, the levels of training should be improved to produce competent investigators.
References
Geberth, V.J. (2007) 10 most common errors in death investigations: Part 1:  http://www.practicalhomicide.com/Research/LOmar2007-3.htm