What to do if…
a family member dies at work or in public and investigators want a statement from you

What to do now

1. Get a safer pause first. If you are at the scene, at work, or in a public place, move to a quieter nearby place if you can, such as a side room, reception area, or a trusted person’s car. Say plainly: “I am not fit to talk properly right now.”
2. Ask who is asking. Write down their name, role, organisation, contact details, and any reference number. You can ask to see identification.
3. Ask what your status is before answering. Say: “Am I being asked as a witness, as next of kin or family contact, or am I being interviewed under caution?”
4. If you are a witness and you are too distressed, ask to delay or arrange the statement. Say: “I want to help, but I am too distressed to give an accurate account right now. Can we arrange a time later, or can I provide a written statement?”
5. Ask for a support person. Say: “Can I have someone with me for support?” If a support person might also be a witness, ask investigators whether that creates a problem before they sit in.
6. Keep any account narrow and factual. Use phrases like “I saw”, “I heard”, “I was told”, and “I received a call from”. Separate what you know from what you assume. If you do not know, say “I do not know.”
7. Check the statement before signing. A witness statement may be written or video recorded. Ask for breaks. Ask to read it, or have it read back to you. Ask for corrections to names, times, places, wording, or anything that sounds more certain than you are.
8. If anyone says “interview under caution”, stop and ask for legal advice. Say: “I want legal advice before I answer questions.” For police interviews, legal advice is free, and police are usually not allowed to ask you questions until you have had the chance to talk to a solicitor.
9. If the death was at work, ask who is leading family contact. In England, Wales and Scotland, police, HSE or another enforcing authority may be involved under work-related death arrangements. In Northern Ireland, PSNI, HSENI, a district council or another enforcing authority may be involved. Ask who your main contact is, how updates will be given, and whether there is anything you should avoid disturbing or changing.
10. If a death-investigation body is involved, ask how family information should be provided. This may be a coroner in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, or the Procurator Fiscal in Scotland. If you have key facts or concerns, ask whether to send them in writing and where to send them.
11. Make your own short private note afterwards. Record the date, time, who spoke to you, what they asked for, what you gave them, and any reference numbers. Keep it factual.