05-01 Preliminary Homicide Investigation Flashcards
What is the Rationale?
The prompt and appropriate actions of the first officers on scene during the initial stages of suspicious death and homicide investigations will assist in achieving a quick resolution to the investigation and contribute to a successful prosecution.
Supervision
Supervisory Officer mandatory attendance
Divisional Detective mandatory attendance
Officer in Charge mandatory notification
Unit Commander mandatory notification
Procedure -
As set out in their mandate, Detective Operations - Homicide and Missing Persons Unit (Homicide and Missing Persons) SHALL
lead the investigation of all homicides that occur within the City of Toronto;
lead the investigation of all criminal acts which result in serious bodily harm or life threatening injury to a police
officer while on duty;
support field officers with the investigation of suspicious deaths;
lead the investigation of deaths in police custody that are not related to the discharge of a Service firearm; and
provide investigative support to the Coroner in the investigation of deaths in police custody.
Procedure - These investigations will be conducted in accordance with the
Ontario Major Case Management Manual (OMCMM).
Procedure - When an autopsy is ordered as a result of an apparent suicide or accident where the only witness is or has been an intimate partner, past or present, the autopsy will be performed by
a Regional Coroner’s pathologist who currently performs homicide autopsies. The autopsy will be conducted as if the death had taken place under suspicious circumstances.
Procedure - Officers are reminded to remain vigilant for the possibility of foul play in every circumstance where there is
a sudden, unexpected death, and
present at the time of death or the finding of a body, a partner, and particularly a partner with whom the deceased
had or may have had an intimate relationship, recent or remote.
Sudden Unexpected Death of a Child -
Every sudden unexpected death of a child under eighteen (18) years of age SHALL be treated as ______. Officers are reminded not to reach _______ regarding the cause and manner of death until a thorough investigation has been completed.
suspicious and a member of the On–Call Team – Homicide Squad (On–Call Homicide Team) SHALL be consulted by the attending divisional detective
premature conclusions
Sudden Unexpected Death of a Child - The Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC), a sub-unit of Detective Operations - Sex Crimes, SHALL be notified when investigating a ______. The attending divisional detective SHALL consult with a member of the CYAC prior to _________. CYAC investigators are available from
sudden unexpected death of a child under the age of sixteen (16) in any division City-Wide
leaving the scene and/or conducting formal interviews of caregivers.
0730 to 2200 hours to investigate child abuse cases. An on–call child abuse investigator can be reached after hours through the Toronto Police Operations Centre (TPOC).
Pediatric Death Review Committee (PDRC) -
The PDRC is composed of two sections based on the nature and circumstances of the death:
PDRC – Child Welfare and PDRC – Medical.
Pediatric Death Review Committee (PDRC) - PDRC – Child Welfare must review all cases of deaths involving children and youth when the child, the youth or their family was receiving, or had received, _______. The PDRC – Child Welfare panel includes________ across the province; and is chaired by the _____
the services of a Children’s Aid Society (CAS) or Indigenous child wellbeing society within twelve (12) months of the death
police officers, crown attorneys, senior staff from the Office of the Chief Coroner and representatives from Child Welfare organizations
Regional Chief Coroner for the Province of Ontario.
Pediatric Death Review Committee (PDRC) - PDRC – Medical reviews the deaths of children where issues or concerns pertaining to the _______. These cases are done on a discretionary basis and are referred by the relevant ______. The PDRC – Medical panel includes ________; and is also chaired by the_____
medical diagnosis or provision of care have been identified
Regional Supervising Coroner
pediatric experts, forensic pathologists, senior staff from the Office of the Chief Coroner
Regional Chief Coroner for the province of Ontario.
Identification of the Deceased -
The investigator heading an investigation or a police officer designated by this investigator SHALL attend the morgue and be physically present when a deceased is identified under the following circumstances
homicide, suspected homicide or other related criminal offences
cases where the investigating officer has requested the presence of another officer
cases where an inquest has been or is likely to be called, or
the Coroner believes it is necessary due to the nature of the case, or the condition of the person doing the identification.
First Police Officer -
The first police officer to arrive at the scene of a suspicious death or suspected homicide SHALL be responsible for
offender management, preservation of the evidence and crime scene while awaiting the arrival of an appropriate investigator.
First Police Officer - When assigned to attend the scene of a suspicious death or suspected homicide SHALL
attend promptly.
First Police Officer - Upon arrival at the scene of a suspicious death or suspected homicide SHALL
designate a line of approach to the body that allows for the least contamination possible
take charge of the scene until relieved by a supervisory officer
if the deceased has been removed, note the original position of the body and any items moved to gain access to
the body
request additional assistance, as required
request the attendance of
a supervisory officer
a divisional detective
an investigator from Detective Operations - Forensic Identification Services (FIS)
the Coroner
pending the arrival of a supervisory officer, assign officers to complete necessary tasks
ensure nothing at the scene is touched or used, including the telephones and bathrooms
ensure the communications operator and the Officer in Charge are frequently apprised of all pertinent details
obtain the name, address and telephone number of every person present at the scene or sufficient information,
including descriptions, to assist in locating these persons at a later time
remove all persons to an area away from the immediate scene
encourage all persons present to remain available for questioning
preserve the integrity of evidence of witnesses by ensuring they don’t discuss their observations with each other
ensure only personnel involved in the investigation are permitted to enter the crime scene
comply with Procedure 13–17 by making notations in the memorandum book, including such information as
sketching a diagram of the scene
the position of the body and any weapons
blood stains
items of evidence
room furnishings (indoor scene) or weather conditions (outdoor scene)
physical characteristics of the scene
conversations with witnesses
any other information pertinent to the investigation
conduct a Person Query, including a CPIC check and Canadian Firearms Registry On-line (CFRO) check
First Police Officer - Upon discovering THE FOLLOWING SHALL treat the death as suspicious.
‒ the sudden unexpected death of a child under eighteen (18) years of age
‒ a suspicious death or suspected homicide, which may include
an unexplained or unknown cause of death
found human remains
obvious or suspected foul play
any other suspicious circumstance
First Police Officer - Upon discovering the sudden unexpected death of a child SHALL interview the
caregiver at the time of death, using the questions listed in Appendix A as a guide to the type of information that should be obtained.
First Police Officer - Upon discovering the death of an infant (less than one (1) year of age) SHALL, in addition to item 4,
use Appendix B as a reference to record at–scene information in the memorandum book.
The Investigation Questionnaire for Sudden Unexpected Deaths in Infants in Appendix B was developed by the Office of the Chief Coroner and is completed by the Coroner, except where the death of an infant is a confirmed homicide in which case it will be completed by police.
Information recorded by the first police officer on scene may assist the investigation by ensuring that critical information is captured immediately and not overlooked, lost or forgotten.
First Police Officer - If the suspect is present SHALL
arrest the suspect in compliance with Procedure 01–01
if there are multiple suspects, separate them from each other as soon as practicable
isolate the suspect from witnesses as soon as possible
note all conversation with the suspect in the memorandum book
note the condition of the suspect in the memorandum book, particularly
clothing
marks of violence
manner of speaking, movements and general behaviour
refrain from unauthorized questioning of the suspect
First Police Officer - If the suspect has left the scene SHALL
obtain the type of information contained in Chapter 5, Appendix A to help determine whether REASONABLE GROUNDS
exist to believe there is a threat to safety
obtain and broadcast all relevant information including a description, whether the suspect is armed, and the mode
and direction of travel
select Yes for the BOLO option when completing the suspect Entities page
Records Management Services – Operations will create and post a BOLO.
First Police Officer - When collecting or seizing evidence SHALL
ensure it remains protected and undisturbed until examined by a detective or investigator from FIS
if the evidence must be disturbed, seize it for protection, and mark and note its original location
comply with Procedure 04–21
First Police Officer - Upon completion of the initial investigation SHALL
follow the instructions of the attending Homicide and Missing Persons investigator pertaining to the completion of
the applicable eReports, and any related reports
The Initial Officer Report is automatically e-transferred to the Office of the Chief Coroner. Any requests from the Office of the Chief Coroner for additional information must be made and approved for release by Homicide and Missing Persons.
if the Homicide and Missing Persons investigator is not attending, follow the instructions of the divisional detective
submit all seized evidence in compliance with Procedure 04–21 and the applicable procedures in Chapter 9
complete the memorandum book notes in compliance with Procedure 13–17
complete the TPS 303 and TPS 466, as applicable
scan and attach the memorandum notes and any hardcopy reports to the original eReport
provide the original eReport number to the
other attending officers who may need to add supplementary information
Officer in Charge
divisional detective
Investigator – FIS
Major Case Manager – Detective Operations - Homicide and Missing Persons
Investigator – CYAC, as applicable
obtain permission from the Major Case Manager/Divisional Detective prior to reporting off duty
Second Police Officer -
The second police officer to arrive at the scene of a suspicious death or suspected homicide SHALL be responsible for
preserving the crime scene, if necessary, and noting any pertinent details in their memorandum book.
Second Police Officer - Upon arrival at the scene of a suspicious death or suspected homicide SHALL
in the absence of a supervisory officer take direction from the first police officer
take up a position at the entrance to the scene
record the names of all personnel attending, and the times they enter or leave, using a TPS 243 whenever possible
or, if not available, the memorandum book
Second Police Officer - Upon completion of the initial investigation SHALL
complete the memorandum book notes in compliance with Procedure 13–17
add supplementary information to the original eReport, if applicable
scan and attach the memorandum notes and any hardcopy reports to the original eReport
obtain permission from the Major Case Manager/Divisional Detective prior to reporting off duty