Using a Camera Phone in a Morgue

A probationary police officer was sacked last week after he was caught using his camera phone to take photos of dead bodies in a hospital mortuary. An internal investigation is to be undertaken by the UK's Devon and Cornwall Police after the officer took the photograph at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.

The police erased the image from the camera and the officer concerned was interviewed then dismissed.

Relatives of the dead person have received an apology from the police authority.

The former probationary officer had apparently taken photos of the dead body while on a training course at the hospital mortuary unit to learn about the workings of the coroner's officer.

It was reported that the electric shutter sound gave the officers actions away."

Posted to the site on 8th March 2004