Well:
Seems to me the OP did everything he could and should. Some jurisdictions have specific legal obligations on the public regarding conduct at emergencies; such concepts pre-date modern policing (e.g. "hue and cry" dating back to 1285).

Then there's a whole moral argument on top: Providing dignity to the deceased.

Also: No, not everybody knows CPR. Fewer still are competent at it, can actually recall it when the adrenaline kicks in, and are willing to get their hands dirty.

I'd be glad to encouraged to divert my route, if it meant avoiding a traumatic scene I couldn't help with, and avoiding (putting it bluntly) getting brains on my shoes.

He stopped many people from needless distress, and contaminating a crime scene. Frankly I'm struggling to understand your point of view.
( The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Sat 3 Aug 2013, 17:48, 1 reply)

I think we agree on everybody knowing CPR.
The reason I mentioned that everybody knows CPR is if you ask them most people will tell you they know it either because they were taught it by an instructor (as I have been on at least two occasions I can recall) or they've "seen it on TV". When, in actual fact, they will probably do it wrong (as I have no doubt I would) because CPR is more complicated than it looks, the mouth-to-mouth has been dropped and the pressure necessary to do it will be hard to gauge the first time you do it -- I'd bet on being too gentle or breaking a rib.
So, in view of the above if the OP is properly trained then fair enough but "I know CPR" does not make you a qualified first responder.
I don't necessarily think the actions were wrong, by the way, just that taking charge in an emergency when it's not your job and you're not trained or empowered to do so by law is a little narcissistic.
I don't particularly see anything brave or useful in what the OP did either. Pulling somebody from a wreck or a burning building is a brave and useful act -- preventing people from "contaminating a crime scene" is just elevating yourself above others. That's what I have problem with -- those who meddle to give themselves importance without actually doing any real good.
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Sun 4 Aug 2013, 19:17, closed)

General consensus seems to be, if you don't break ribs you're not doing it hard enough.

( drimble he'd been white, he'd been black, Mon 5 Aug 2013, 14:02, closed)