Incident Report 07/09/2463

[Susan]

Reporting Personnel: Ana J. Roh'hi'tin
Job Title of Reporting Personnel: Investigator
Game ID: ccW-asNU

Personnel Involved: 

Suvek Tokash, Head of Security
Samuel Saudade, Surgeon

Primary Witnesses:

Kalil Al-Lawishurai, Security Officer
IRU-Wulfwiga, Security Officer

Secondary Witnesses:

Johnathan Caladius, Captain

Time of Incident:

Real Time: ~12:00 AM Central, 7/9/2021
Location of Incident: NSS Aurora
 

Nature of Incident:
[ ] - Workplace Hazard
[ ] - Accident/Injury
[ ] - Destruction of Property
[X] - Neglect of Duty
[ ] - Harassment
[ ] - Assault
[X] - Misconduct
[ ] - Other _____ (Place an x in the box that applies. If other, replace line and specify.)

Overview of the Incident: 

Upon waking up from cryogenics, this one reported to the brig and acquired her gear. For at least fifteen to twenty minutes she went about her business normally before a routine check-in with the evidence lockers revealed one of the body storage trays was occupied. At no point did her boss ever clearly communicate that a security incident had occurred earlier in the shift, resulting in one crew fatality. A crewmember came under suspicion for allegedly causing this fatality, a fact she only learned after Officer Al-Lawishurai informed her of what had occurred, equally incredulous at the lack of communication. This one searched document storage for any evidence of an autopsy being performed, and found a half-completed form with none of the appropriate, accompanying paperwork. She was told that a medical doctor had performed the autopsy procedure themselves, despite the presence of other investigators aboard long before she woke up from cryogenics.

This one then, as per protocol, removed the body from cold storage to re-perform the autopsy given that it was unlikely the medical doctor had the necessary qualifications to do one in this situation. Upon opening the body bag, she was immediately met with a shocking sight; the surgeon in question, Dr. Saudade, had left every single incision open on the corpse. Not only that, but they had also proceeded to remove the corpse's vital internal organs, such as the heart, the lungs, the kidneys, and the liver. Additionally, after re-performing the autopsy despite the body being so badly mutilated, she found evidence it had been further damaged post-mortem by the operating physician with unclean scalpel cuts in some places. As a result, she was not able to verify or ascertain the damage sustained by the victim at the time of their fatality and could not corroborate the state of the body with victim statements.

Incensed, she requested a security officer to question the surgeon about the state of the corpse. IRU-Wulfwiga questioned the surgeon, who responded that he had, quote, "[...] removed and placed (the organs) into storage in case of emergency transfusion, considerin' no one could identify the body. Basically a vagrant." While noble, this failure to adhere to evidentiary standards is the exact reason why medical should never be performing these complex procedures in lieu of trained forensic pathologists. In short, Dr. Saudade irreversibly damaged vital evidence (the victim's corpse) by removing internal organs that then could not be biopsied or examined for damage, further aggrieved the corpse by damaging it during operation, and seriously hindered security's ability to investigate by not closing the incisions he had made on top of his previous actions, permitting advanced bacterial growth inside the corpse.

When she was made aware of this admission, she requested Head of Security Tokash immediately arrest the surgeon for Neglect of Duty. Tokash seemed only marginally interested, asking if they had removed the organs beyond the original investigator's request for an autopsy. When this question was answered, the situation was not acknowledged by them for at least another ten to fifteen minutes. Then, a transfer shuttle was dispatched to the Aurora. Within only seconds of this announcement being made, Tokash said that the Odin could continue the investigation and all we could do was report this information to them. With ample amount of time to write and serve a warrant, additionally after having gotten the Captain's approval for the Neglect charge, he could have handled it then and there. There was no further investigation to be done. Dr. Saudade admitted to his actions. But Tokash failed to take responsibility as he should have and elected to delegate this issue to the Odin when he could have done it himself.

It should be noted that, after he stated this, she informed him she would have to report this failure to perform his duties admirably; instead, she went to speak to Captain Caladius, who had not been informed of any of these details surrounding the case - the mishandling of the body, that is - and informed her that Tokash was keeping him up to date. Effectively, the Head of Security did not inform the Captain of this medical misconduct. When this one did in his stead, the Captain was furious at the medical staff and ordered the detainment of the surgeon with little time to spare. Dr. Saudade did not appear at the shuttle and was not apprehended when it left, indicating delaying dealing with this flagrant disregard for the chain of evidence custody until all were aboard the Odin was pointless. It more seemed to this one that the Head of Security was not interested in performing his duties, and as a result, the ISD's ability to make a solid case was greatly damaged.

Did you report it to a Head of Staff or a superior? If so, who? If not, why?: The Captain, who immediately ordered the detainment of Dr. Saudade.
Actions taken: Filed this report.

Additional Notes:

Please remind medical staff that they have no business interfering with security's investigations into on-site deaths. It is the job of the investigations division to investigate and absolve NanoTrasen Corporation from liability for all employee deaths that happen on shift, accidental or otherwise. While she understands they may have to in the event of a lack of appropriately trained pathologists, they must be informed to take extra care not to cause any further damage to the corpse and that is, in fact, evidence. The body should be preserved for an actual professional to do a follow up autopsy aboard the Odin post-shift if no investigators trained are on the schedule. 

(OOC: The deceased individual was an antag.)

Edited July 10, 2021 by Susan

[Sycmos]

Quote

TO: Ana Roh'hi'tin, Investigator, NSS Aurora

FROM: AMS, CCIAAMS, NTCC Odin

SUBJECT: RE: Incident Report

--------------------

BODY:

This is an automated message to inform you that your incident report has been received and placed in a queue for the CCIA Division to review.

If necessary, you will be contacted by a CCIA Agent when an investigation begins.

--------------------

DTG: 10-08:18-TAU CETI STANDARD-07-2463

SIGN: CCIAAMS

 

[KingOfThePing]

Quote

TO: Ana Roh'hi'tin, Investigator, NSS Aurora

FROM: AMS, CCIAAMS, NTCC Odin

SUBJECT: RE: Incident Report

--------------------

BODY:

 

This is an automated message to inform you that an investigation has now been opened regarding your incident report, and assigned to Edward Torrance (KingOfThePing).

 

You may be contacted by the CCIAA for an interview, or you may contact them directly if you have any questions.

--------------------

DTG: 21-20:20-TAU CETI STANDARD-07-2463

SIGN: CCIAAMS

 

[KingOfThePing]

Quote

 

TO: Ana Roh'hi'tin, Investigator, NSS Aurora

FROM: AMS, CCIAAMS, NTCC Odin

SUBJECT: RE: Incident Report

--------------------

BODY:

 

The investigation of this incident has concluded, and appropriate action has been taken for affected individuals. 

 

This matter will now be considered resolved.

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DTG: 28-00:28-TAU CETI STANDARD-09-2463

SIGN: CCIAAMS