How to use this guide
Start with the evidence track, then move into the practice area, results, or attorney review that fits the facts.
Guide focus
civil-rights
Investigative Manual
Best use
Section 1
Scan the section map first so you can jump to the facts that matter most.
Attorney review
Send Letter Now
Request attorney review when deadlines, evidence, or insurer contact are active now.
01
The jail controls many records. Early preservation requests can help protect the evidence needed to understand what happened.
02
Official Records May Be Incomplete
When an inmate dies, the initial public explanation may be brief or incomplete. Families often need video, medical logs, incident reports, and witness accounts before they can understand what happened.
03
Step 1: The Spoliation Letter
A preservation letter is an early written request sent to the sheriff, county commissioners, city, medical contractor, or other responsible officials. It identifies records that should be preserved, including:
- Security camera footage and body-worn camera footage.
- Medical logs or "kites" (inmate request forms).
- Transferring or firing key witnesses.
Early written notice helps reduce later disputes about what records should have been kept.
04
Step 2: The Independent Autopsy
The State Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy. However, they are overworked and sometimes miss subtle signs of trauma or neglect. In suspicious cases, we hire a private pathologist to perform a second, independent autopsy before the body is buried or cremated.
05
Step 3: Finding Witnesses
The best witnesses are other inmates. But they get released or transferred quickly. We hire investigators to:
- Find cellmates who were there.
- Interview them before they are intimidated.
- Secure affidavits about what they saw/heard (screaming for help, guards laughing, etc.).
Do Not Rely on One Investigation Alone
An agency investigation may take months and may not answer every civil-evidence question. Attorney review can identify records, witnesses, and preservation issues while the public record is still developing.
Request Case Review