1 Flashcards
You have been appointed as the OC exhibits on a serious crime investigation team. As exhibits should not be taken into the investigation HQ you have been provided with a secure exhibits room. In relation to safe storage of exhibits what three matters should be addressed before the exhibit is received by OC exhibits and placed in the exhibit room?
- The label contains the exhibit number, the name of the operation and other details relating to exhibit description, details of person finding it, time, date, location are recorded on scene exhibit schedule
- The property is correctly packaged and sealed and the label is visible and secured on the outside of the package.
- Any prompt action necessary to preserve the exhibit has been taken, ie drying wet or blood stained clothing in appropriate drying room
What matters is the OC suspects responsible for when supervising members of the suspect team?
- Obtaining information about suspects and persons of interest as they are identified by the OC investigation
- Thoroughly profiling and investigating all suspects and persons of interest to enable the OC investigation to establish their involvement in the offence or eliminate them from the enquiry.
- Seeking evidence to cover all ingredients
- Mitigating and dealing with possible defences that may be raised, where appropriate.
- Providing a basis for further investigation
During the course of a criminal trial the OC witnesses must maintain control over the witnesses. What specific instructions must be given to the witnesses relating to their conduct at court?
Ensure witnesses do not:
- Have any contact or communication with jurors
- Discuss the case in public areas while waiting to give evidence
- Discuss the case with witnesses waiting after they have given their evidence
In addition to door to door enquiries during the area canvass pahse, what other approaches can also be used to obtain information from the public?
- Media
- Poster campaign
- Mail drop
- High profile police presence, using a caravan
Prior to moving the body from the scene what specific action must the OC body take?
The body must not be moved without the specific authority/approval from the OC investigation
When dealing with a suspect at the scene of a serious crime, what specific physical matters relevant to the suspect must you consider?
- The condition of the suspect
- Whether they are injured
- Under the influence of alcohol/drugs
- Suffer from a medical or mental impairment or other special consideration
While most offences of homicide are identified as a result of a body being found or by a person responsible for the offence making admissions, some incidents notofied to the police are not initially identifiable as a homicide. Describe such instances.
- Report of missing person
- Sudden unexplained death of an infant
- Unexplained death
- Report of abduction
- Report of violence where no fatalities are anticipated
- Crime scene without a body present
- Hit and run vehicular collision
- Suicide
- Fatal fire
- Drug related death
The primary reason for conducting a PM is to establish the cause of death. List four other matters how the pathologists findings may assist the investigation.
- Determine where possible, the mode and time of death
- Establish how ijuries and/or events at the scene may have contributed towards the death of the victim
- Determine the nature and size of the weapons used
- Determine the approximate height and stature of the suspect
- Provide areas of interest for subsequent interview of witnesses and/or suspects
- Negate possible defences
- Identify the victim, if identity has not been established
Describe two types of information that can be obtained from police intelligence systems when carrying out a risk assessment during the planning phase for an area canvass.
- Violent offenders in the area
- Persons wanted by police for other crimes or with WTA
- Groups with particular linguistic or cultural needs
- Local incidents or issues which residents may raise with police
Prior to a criminal trial relating to a serious offence, who makes the decision as to what exhibits are to be prepared and produced at the trial?
The OC investigation in conjunction with the OC exhibits and relevant investigation team members must decide on which exhibits will be analysed and the most appropriate way in which these results or exhibits will be presented at trial.
State two reasons why it is important to conduct a risk assessment relating to a witness to a serious offence.
A risk assessment is needed to establish whether the witness is at risk of:
- Intimidation
- Physical harm
List the duties of the Family Liaison Officer in their role as an investigator.
- Responsible for profiling the victim
- Preparing a family tree
- Gathering all relevant information from the family
- Taking statements to identify the victim
List three of the key responsibilities of the disclosure manager.
- Ensure all relevant and discoverable material is provided to the defence counsel
- Ensure all relevant and non-discoverable material is identified, listed and defence advised
- Continually assess the risk to ensure that non-discoverable material is identified and not disclosed
- Continually review to ensure that ongoing lawful justification exists to still withhold each document
Describe who is responsible during an investigation and determining the status of a person as a suspect, person of interest, witness or victim.
The responsibility of determining the status of a person within the investigation, whether as a suspect, person of interest, witness or victim rests with the OC investigaiton
Initial response police at a serious crime scene incident must make a risk assessment. What is the key priority of this risk assessment?
The first priority will always be the safety of attending police, the safety of other responders and that of other persons present at the scene. This may include other injured people or hidden offenders.
