My mother, Dawn Caraveo, was only 30 years old when she died. Her death was ruled a suicide, but decades later, I obtained crime scene photos that suggest otherwise. The investigation into her death was riddled with errors: fingerprinting wasn't completed, gunshot residue testing wasn’t performed, and key forensic analyses—like blood spatter and trajectory—were never conducted. Even her autopsy failed to properly document critical injuries or collect and analyze shotgun pellets that could have determined the angle and manner of the shot. Adding to this, some of the individuals involved in the investigation had personal ties to her abusive boyfriend, further calling into question the integrity of their work.

My mother’s case is not an isolated incident. It highlights systemic flaws in how death investigations handle potential domestic violence-related homicides staged as suicides. Many first responders and investigators lack the training to recognize staged suicides and fail to conduct thorough forensic examinations. In small jurisdictions with limited resources and potential conflicts of interest, these oversights can lead to wrongful conclusions that deny victims justice. To prevent these failures and ensure justice for victims like my mother, we must take action.

We, the undersigned, call upon the Indiana General Assembly to enact three legislative measures to improve fairness, transparency, and accountability in death investigations:

1. Impartial Death Investigations in Small Jurisdictions (The Dawn Caraveo Death Investigation Reform Act)

All death investigations in municipalities with fewer than 5,000 residents or police departments with fewer than 25 full-time sworn officers should be conducted by external agencies, such as the Indiana State Police or independent forensic experts. This applies specifically to suspicious, violent, or unexplained deaths, ensuring these cases are handled with professionalism, objectivity, and access to necessary forensic resources—free from local biases or conflicts of interest.

When a qualifying death occurs, local authorities would notify the designated external agency, which would take charge of securing the scene, collecting evidence, conducting forensic analyses, and documenting findings. The process would include collaboration with local officials for background information but remain independent to avoid conflicts of interest. A comprehensive report would be provided to state and local entities, as well as the family, ensuring transparency and accountability.

By outsourcing these investigations, smaller communities can overcome limitations in resources and relationships, guaranteeing that every suspicious or violent death is investigated fairly and thoroughly. This reform prioritizes justice and builds public trust in the investigative process.

2. Staged Suicide Training for Law Enforcement, Medical Examiners, and First Responders

Many homicides, particularly those involving intimate partner violence, are staged to look like suicides. However, most law enforcement officers, coroners, and forensic teams do not receive standardized training on how to differentiate between genuine suicides and staged scenes. As a result, critical evidence is overlooked, and cases are prematurely closed without proper investigation.

This measure would mandate that:

All law enforcement agencies in Indiana receive training on staged suicides, including forensic red flags, common staging techniques, and investigative best practices.

Coroners and medical examiners complete advanced forensic training on determining gunshot angles, lividity inconsistencies, and strangulation markers that could be misclassified as suicide.

First responders (EMTs, firefighters, patrol officers) receive awareness training on initial scene assessments to prevent premature suicide rulings before an investigation is completed.

Training is incorporated into existing domestic violence education requirements for law enforcement and forensic professionals.

With proper education, investigators will be better equipped to recognize staged suicides and prevent perpetrators from escaping justice. This reform closes a dangerous knowledge gap and ensures that no death is dismissed without due diligence.

3. Permanent Records for Deaths Ruled Suicide (The Dawn Caraveo Suicide Record Accountability Act)

All death investigation records resulting in a ruling of suicide should be classified as permanent records under Indiana law. Retaining these records indefinitely safeguards critical evidence, allows for future reviews or appeals, and ensures transparency for families seeking answers.

Too often, families find themselves blocked from reviewing their loved one’s case years later, especially in domestic violence-related suicides that may warrant reexamination. Maintaining permanent records ensures that:

Key forensic evidence is never lost or destroyed before it can be reanalyzed.

Families have the legal right to request case reviews if new evidence arises.

Law enforcement agencies remain accountable for their investigative conclusions.

Together, these measures will reform how Indiana handles suspicious deaths, ensuring that staged suicides are identified, thoroughly investigated, and never dismissed without due diligence.

Why This Matters

In small communities, the lack of resources and close-knit relationships between investigators and residents often lead to compromised investigations. Outsourcing death investigations eliminates these risks by ensuring impartiality and oversight. Similarly, mandating staged suicide training equips law enforcement with the tools they need to properly investigate these cases, and permanent record retention guarantees that no case is ever truly closed without the opportunity for justice.

By passing these measures, Indiana can provide grieving families with the transparency, fairness, and justice they deserve. These reforms represent a significant step forward in safeguarding justice and ensuring no family’s loss is overlooked or mishandled.

We urge the General Assembly to prioritize these reforms and take action to protect all Hoosiers, regardless of where they live.