1. Principles and Initial Response Flashcards
What are some of the separate phases of an investigation?
- area canvas
- general enquiries
- passive data generators
- suspects
- persons of interest
What are the two types of key tasks in an investigation?
- gathering and preserving evidence
- documentation
What must be done to maintain high standards in the investigation process?
- have an investigative mindset
- ability to apply the Appreciation technique
- consider how your decisions will look under cross-examination
- pay meticulous attention to detail
- carry out assigned tasks efficiently
- have good communication skills
- work as a team
What is the purpose of holding team conferences?
- keep all team members up to date on developments
- give team members the opportunity to exchange views and pass on important info
- give the 2IC the opportunity to pass on instructions
- give the OC the chance to brief the team on important topics, priorities and line of enquiry to follow
What are some different types of conferences?
- initial conference
- regular conference
- debriefing conference
- phase team conference
What are the primary functions of initial Police responders?
- attending the scene at an early stage
- taking control of the situation
- coordinating tasks
What are some incidents that might not initially be identified as a homicide?
- missing person
- unexplained death of an infant
- reported abudction
- unexplained death
- suicide
- hit and run
- drug related death
- crime scene with no body present
Explain VAWSEIPO
Victim - identify and locate victim.
Appreciation - make an initial appreciation. Assess personal risk and then preserve lives.
Witnesses - locate and contain witnesses.
Scene - preserve scene.
Exhibits - note evidence and preserve if required.
Ingredients - consider ingredients of alleged offence have been established.
Powers - confirm powers available.
Offenders - identify and apprehend suspects.
What is the definition of an appreciation?
It is a proven method of problem solving. The process follows a series of set steps to ensure the optimum course of action is decided upon. It considers all appropriate factors and weighs the benefits and risks of all alternative solutions. It is an ongoing process.
What are the benefits of applying an appreciation?
- informs Police of what they are expected to achieve.
- increases the chance of success
- establishes a sequence of activities to be carried out
- manages risk
- reduces uncertainty
- eliminates duplication
- effective use of resources
Every effort should be made to obtain what info from complainants/informants?
- identity and location of suspect
- their first hand account
- details of location of scene
- circumstances leading to discovery
- identity of victim
- details of anyone present at scene
- full contact details
- demeanour of complainant
- details of action they took and where they have been
What are the 3 categories of a victims medical status?
- alive and uninjured
- alive but injured
- shows no signs of life
What should you do if the victim is injured?
- Commence first aid and call ambulance
- Conduct prelim interview
- Consider taking dying statement
- Treat as a scene and do not move unnecessarily
- Take DNA swabs
- Record and photo injuries
- Hospital – seize clothing, blood sample
What steps should you follow on arriving at hospital?
- obtain medical opinion to victims current medical condition
- seize victims clothing and other possessions
- establish victims identity
- obtain DNA swabs,blood sample, seize discarded bandages, firearms residue sample
- record and photograph injuries
- conduct prelim with ambulance and emergency staff
What needs to be considered if taking a dying statement?
- The nature of the statement
- The contents of the statement
- The circumstances relating to the making of the statement
- Circumstances relating to the veracity of the person
- Circumstances relating to the accuracy of the observation of the person
