014 Flashcards
What is the primary functions of initial Police responders to Serious Crime Scenes? #
- Attending the scene at an early stage
- Taking control of the situation
- Coordinating tasks
Some instances notified to the Police that are not initially identifiable as a Homicide?
- Missing person
- Sudden death of an infant
- Report of abduction
- Suicide
- Fatal Fire
- Drug related deaths
Why is the initial action of first responding Police so important to the investigation?
Critical effect on the investigation and on the potential for capturing evidence. The general investigation model VAWSEIPO should be applied in all cases.
The OC investigation will expect a briefing from the officer initially in charge of the incident as to?
- What has occurred?
- What actions have been taken?
- What has not been done?
- What needs to be done?
The three key elements to Homicide?
- Location
- Victim
- Suspect
What is the general investigation model? (VAWSEIPO) #
Victim – Identify and locate Appreciate – Make an initial appreciate Witness – Locate and contain Scene – Preserve the scene Exhibits – Note evidence and preserve Ingredients – Consider whether ingredients of offence have been established Powers – Identify what powers are available Offenders – Identify and apprehend
What are the benefits of applying the appreciation technique?
MEREE
- Manage risk
- Ensure nothing is overlooked
- Reduce uncertainty
- Effective use of resources
- Establish a sequence of activities to be carried out
What are the steps for appreciation?
AIM – A short one line statement – demonstrates a single objective
FACTORS – Is any circumstances or fact that could possibly have an effect on the manner in which you will achieve your desired outcome
COURSES OPEN – Are a list of all the possible ways the aim could be achieved
PLAN – Proposed course of action
Perseveration of life? #
It is imperative that police responders ensure their own safety and the safety of other responders and that of other present at the scene.
Adopting an investigative mentality, what is the Police purpose at a death? #
To always investigate thoroughly and gather sufficient evidence to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death
What are the three categories of the physical condition of the victim?
- Alive and uninjured
- Alive but injured
- No sign of life
What are the steps to take when the victim is alive but injured? #
- Obtain medical opinions as to victim status
- Seize clothing/ possession as evidence
- Establish victim’s identity
- Obtain a pre-transfused blood sample
- Seize discarded bandages
- Arrange firearm residue sample if applicable
- Note and photograph injuries
- Arrange DNA swabs of victims skin if relevant
- Obtain details of persons of people who visit or contact victim
- Conduct scoping interview with victim
- Preliminary interview ambulance/ hospital staff
What are the steps to take when the victim show NO signs of life?
- Consider calling ambulance, note original body position
- Remain with body until relieved by CIB or supervisor
- Arrange Dr to pronounce life extinct
- Treat victim as a scene
- Leave clothes on body and medical items
- Scoping interview medical staff
- Ascertain if victim spoke to anyone before death
- Record body position, lividity, obvious injuries & clothing
- Record everything involving all scenes
- Record all exhibits
- Sketch a plan, position of body & all exhibits
- Provide info to O/C investigations
Every effort should be made to obtain the following information from an informant reporting an incident?
\+ ID and location of the suspect \+ Precise details of scene location \+ ID of victim \+ Full particulars on informant/ complainant \+ Details of anyone else at scene \+ Details of what action informant of anyone else has taken \+ What they did at scene \+ Any hazards approaching scene, victim
In some circumstances there may be a delay in attending the scene and evidence may be contaminated or lost. In order to reduce risk the informant may be asked?
+ To return to the proximity of scene and guard it
+ Not to touch or move anything
+ Prevent others from entering scene
+ Await Police arrival and identity themselves
+Not to enter obvious boundaries
What is the definition of an APPERCIATION in relation to initial action at a crime scene? #
An appreciation is a proven method of problem solving. The process follows step to ensure the optimum course of action is decided upon.
It considers all appropriate factors and weighs the benefits and the risks of all alternative solutions, allowing sound decisions to be taken.
An appreciation is an outgoing process which involves continually thinking through each new piece of information as it is uncovered.
What is the first priority in attending a scene? #
Ensuring the safety of the attending police members
What to BRIEF the O/C investigation in relation to initial response?
What has occurred
What action has been taken
What actions have not been taken
What needs to be done
What are the initial actions to preserve a scene? (Freeze, control, guard, preserve)
Identify – Carry out initial assessment of scene/ warrantless powers/ establish crime scene/ common approach path/ record all observations/ SITREP – SFP
Secure – Exercise power/ secure scene/ Removal of persons from scene/ Establish cordons/ Arrange & brief scene guards/ Arrange crime scene logs/ Prevent further loss of evidence
Preserve – Best path to scene/ Record movements/ actions in scene / leave in situ/ consider stepping plates/ preserve evidence
Consider – Photographs of scene & persons present
Record – Crime scene log/ Sketch of scene/ Photograph scene/ what has been moved/ Accurate record, report to OC investigation
What is the definition of crime scene log?
Record details, time and purposes of all person who enter, attempt to enter, leave the crime scene + other activities which guard perceives as relevant
What is the purpose of a scene guard log?
To ensure – 1) No unauthorized entry 2) Evidence is secured 3) intel opportunities are maximized 4) contamination issues managed
What are the duties of a scene guard?
Secure the scene, record details, prevent movements, record movements, brief others on relevant info, avoid disturbances, protect scene, brief replacement guard, respect security (media, witnesses, bystanders), and demonstrate courtesy when dealing with civilians/crowds.
The plan to preserve and recover evidence from a forensically important witness you should consider these issues, where applicable? #
1) Immediate DNA swabs of area witness may have been touched by the suspect
2) Immediate DNA swabs any blood present on the witness
3) Swabs any other relevant stains
4) Forensic medical examination (Fingernail scrapings, hair combing)
5) Seizure of any clothing and footwear
6) Seizure of any items of property touched by suspect (Consider using different vehicles, interview rooms, photographs)
What are the principles guiding the management of witnesses?
Manner of which witnesses are treated will significantly affect how they co-operate / investigators must understand the actions expected of them/ Necessity to interact professionally with every witness