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[KC]

Hi, I'm new here and need some help on a character's death. She has been sedated, tied up, and drowned in an inlet at low tide.

My MC has supernatural information on where the body is. This is how the police find her.

1. If she was only in the water a few hours, what would the body look like? Not swollen yet? Pretty much normal?
2. What would be the first thing the officer would do? Call it in to the EMS? Or coroner?
3. What are the cops called that come and evaluate the evidence?
4. They think they know who did it, but they have to go find him. How long would this take? Would they go immediately if they knew where he lived?

Just a few easy questions for you experts.

I would appreciate any help with this. I'm writing my first novel and I have no clue about police stuff. It doesn't play that big of a role since I'm writing supernatural suspense, but it has to be in there a little bit.

Thank you so much in advance.

[Dave Freas]

Hi, KC

1/ The body would be pale or grayish colored, the lips possibly bluish.  The skin would be cool to the touch (approximately the same temperature as the water.  Her mouth and nose might have water in them.  There might be some livor mortis (discoloration of the lowest areas of the body--the back if the body is face up--turning  them a dark purple-red).
2/Neither.  He would report discovery of a dead body and detectives would be dispatched
3/ Crime scene technicians.
4/ It depends.  A police officer (possibly a detective) would be sent to his home to question him.  If he's not there, they would issue a radio alert to all patrol officers to be on the lookout (BOLO) for him.  An officer spotting him would detain him and notify the detectives he or she had found the suspect.

Perhaps one of the police officers on this forum can provide more complete answers, but this should get you started.

Hope this helps.

Dave

[KC]

Thank you, Dave. This does help.

I've also remembered a friend of my husband's who trains police officers. He may be able to help me with more details.