Would you report a dead body?

[igor_kavinski]

"To the best of my recollection, I do not remember".

 

[igor_kavinski]

Once I made it clear the dog wasn't mine, all the cops did was thank me for calling and helping.

You would think they would hand out "good citizen" badges to encourage reporting. They won't coz they prefer not to be interrupted during their "coffee and donuts" break.

 

[Captante]

I reported a forest fire and got more than enough hassle from the GOV

That might have been related to all the empty gas-cans and the blow-torch in the trunk of your car. (just sayin)

 

[Captante]

You would think they would hand out "good citizen" badges to encourage reporting. They won't coz they prefer not to be interrupted during their "coffee and donuts" break.

Actually in my area they tend to "loose the hounds" for even a minor emergency most likely due to proximity to the Yale-bowl and the plethora of Yale University big-wigs/alums that live nearby.

Seriously for one aggressive dog they sent a firetruck, an ambulance AND 3 patrol-units plus an officer that was directing traffic for that days event.

 

[Viper1j]

For all those that say they would just walk away and not report it. What do you think happens when the police find out ( cameras or witness' ) show that you were there in the area and didn't report it?

Nothing will happen. People have a right to mind their own business.

Not my monkeys, not my circus.

 

[Captante]

Nothing will happen

"Nothing" might well be a bit optimistic.... being a "person of interest" in what could potentially end up being a murder investigation will almost certainly place you firmly "on police radar".

To be fair this might happen weather you call the cops or not, however the intensity of any resulting investigation will likely increase dramatically if they learn you saw the body and failed to report it.

 

[pcgeek11]

Nothing will happen. People have a right to mind their own business.

Not my monkeys, not my circus.

It could however increase the odds of you being a suspect. Then it does become your circus.

 

[Muse]

OK, Karen, put down the phone and step away from the window...

Mofo, I skate that street most days. If I fall on my face, I will have only myself to blame. You can be such a fuckin' asshole, man.

I also think guns going off in my neighborhood should be reported to the cops. WTF are you coming from.

 

[Viper1j]

I say again..
People have a right to mind their own business.

The irony is, if what you say is right, that cops will go after you just as hard for minding your business, as they will if they catch you peeking in someone's bedroom windows.


A quick Google showed that..

Loophole in Pennsylvania law means many don't have to report dead bodies

Republican state Rep. Nick Miccarelli plans on introducing legislation that would make it a misdemeanor if one discovers a body and fails to notify a health or law enforcement agency.

www.phillyvoice.com

.

And this..

Loophole makes it legal to live with a dead body

Tiffany Jager discovered her mother Lisa Sassan's dead body in her Grand Rapids, Michigan home in 2011. She later found out she'd been dead for five days - and though people knew, it wasn't reported.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Captante]

People have a right to mind their own business

Ethically I completely agree.... reality in many cases is a bit different.

Even if the only things that happen are you get harassed by the cops and have your background investigated it will completely suck.

And if God-forbid they charge you with any crime, even if you get off scot-free it will take a ton of time and money you'll never get back.

 

[pcgeek11]

I say again..
People have a right to mind their own business.

The irony is, if what you say is right, that cops will go after you just as hard for minding your business, as they will if they catch you peeking in someone's bedroom windows.

I didn't say that. Being present at the scene with a dead body and not reporting it tends to appear suspect.... and would make you look guilty of something.

 

[nakedfrog]

It's weird how we both grew up in a country founded on the notion that one is innocent until proven guilty, and yet one of us does not seem to have taken that to heart.

 

[pcgeek11]

It's weird how we both grew up in a country founded on the notion that one is innocent until proven guilty, and yet one of us does not seem to have taken that to heart.

Presumed innocent doesn't rule out being suspect or a person of interest during an investigation.

 

[MtnMan]

It's a tough call, do I really want to get myself tied up in that whole situation, potentially have to testify in court etc, or be considered a suspect? Seems like a can of worms. Either way the first thing police are going to ask is "what were you doing there?".

If I don't report it, I think it would bother me though as I'd feel I need to. That's still a person that had family and the family wonders where he/she is.

I think it's best to just report it, just make sure you have a good reason for being in that particular location so they don't suspect you did it. Your DNA is already all over the scene either way from lose skin cells, hair etc, so no point in trying to hide that you were there, it will only make it worse.

That's part of being a member of society, it does come with some responsibilities to contribute back into society.

 

[Red Squirrel]

That's part of being a member of society, it does come with some responsibilities to contribute back into society.

That's such a dumb response. Who says I signed up for that? I owe nothing to society. Why do people think that?

 

[BoomerD]

Something no one has asked...Do we get to go through the pockets/purse of the dead person? looking for identification, of course...

 

[waffleironhead]

Didn't cause anything for me...

Well im glad they didnt hassle you too over the same fire.

 

[MtnMan]

That's such a dumb response. Who says I signed up for that? I owe nothing to society. Why do people think that?

The fact you participate.... you made that choice. You want to be a hermit, but you lack the skills or determination, and society is stuck with you, so fucking contribute.

 

[nakedfrog]

Well im glad they didnt hassle you too over the same fire.

No one ever suspects the humble frog...

 

[waffleironhead]

The chances of being killed by a frog are small, but never zero.

No one ever suspects the humble frog...

 

[skyking]

IF you get close enough to discern that it is indeed a body, the odds are pretty good that you will leave some forensic evidence. If you think reporting it draws attention, how about that scenario? Yeah I would tell the truth and be done with it. For one thing, you know your alibi at that moment.
Back away and they somehow ID you 6 months later and now you are denying seeing this body you were right next to, and also trying to remember what you were doing. It's not a good look.

 

[Viper1j]

A country founded on the notion that one is innocent until proven guilty,

Just one more thing that looks awesome on paper but has no bearing on reality.

 

[pmv]

That's such a dumb response. Who says I signed up for that? I owe nothing to society. Why do people think that?

Because, like-it-or-not, we are born into a society to which we have pre-existing obligations, and upon which we depend for any number of things in life.

I wonder if it's statistically the case that people who live in low-population-density areas are more likely to reject that? Odd thing is it's something that traditional-conservatives and liberals and socialists all tend to agree on (they just disagree as to what those obligations are).

That said, the dilemma over the OP question is still valid, because of the poor track record of law enforcement in leaping to conclusions or taking the lazy option. Definitely is a little more justified to be hesitant if you are in a group with reason to distrust the cops and the legal system.