Information for Families

The Family Liaison Program 

The OII Family Liaison Program was created to make sure that families are kept informed when OII is investigating the death of their loved one. There is a family liaison for each of our six regions of operation.

When OII begins an investigation, one of its first actions is to assign a family liaison as a point of contact for the family of the deceased. A family liaison will attempt to contact a primary member of the family as soon as possible following the start of an investigation.

If you are a friend or relative of someone whose death is being investigated by OII and have not been contacted by a family liaison, please email FamilyLiaison@oii.wa.gov and someone from the program will respond.

What to Expect from the Family Liaison 

The primary role of the family liaison is to keep relatives of the person killed informed about the status of the OII investigation and explain our investigation processes. The family liaison will also provide notice of key developments or and planned public announcements regarding the investigation.

Other Services  

The Family Liaison can also help a family work with other agencies that become involved after a death, for example, the local coroner's office or medical examiner. These agencies are responsible for ensuring positive identification of your loved one and may contact next of kin.  

The OII Family Liaison can help with these types of interactions if requested.  

Other assistance may include:  

• Act as liaison between the family and friends of the deceased and the OII investigation team. 

• Provide advance notice before OII releases any information to the media about the investigation. 

• Identify local community resources that may be available.

• Facilitate communication with the appropriate prosecuting attorney when the OII final report is being reviewed 

• Accompany the family to court hearings, meetings with investigators, and other legal processes. 

• Provide information about available protection from threats of harm. 

• Provide guidance regarding interaction with the media 

OII does not have a burial fund, but if you cannot afford a burial or cremation, advise your family liaison for assistance with alternative planning. 

The investigation

OII is directed to complete investigations within 120 days or explain to the OII Advisory Board if there is a delay. 

When an investigation is finished, the completed investigation report will be sent to the appropriate prosecutor’s office. It is the prosecutor who decides whether to file criminal charges against anyone involved in the death. 

 At the same time, OII investigators and the family liaison will meet with the family to explain the results of its investigation. This final report will be made available to the public once it has been shared with the affected family.

Resources

The following resources were developed by other organizations and are offered as potential tools that may help in the aftermath of a death. They are not specific to an unexpected death.