By Bob Katzen

The Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee held a hearing on a measure that would establish the training, education and certification standards that must be met by law enforcement officers who investigate a death if a history of domestic violence is involved in the case.

Supporters said the bill was filed because there have been cases in which domestic abusers have murdered their partners and then tampered with the crime scene to make it look like a suicide or accident. They argued that the bill would ensure that in death cases following a history of domestic violence, law enforcement officials will ask investigatory questions related to that history and interview family members and close friends of the victim prior to determining whether or not the death was by suicide.

“I’m committed to fighting the heartbreaking scourge of intimate partner violence,” said sponsor Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham). “This legislation will ensure that suspicious death cases are fully investigated as a matter of course, and that grieving family and friends are not forced to fight just to have their loved one’s lived experiences respected and recognized. This bill is part of a growing national effort to honor the memories of domestic violence victims, to provide them and their families with justice even after their deaths, and to hold perpetrators accountable. I am humbled to work with survivors who have turned their profound family tragedies into meaningful action.”