104 Flashcards
General Investigation Model - VAWSEIPO
Victim - Identify and locate the victimAppreciation - Make initial appreciation. Assess personal risk and then preserve the lives of otherWitnesses - Locate and contain witnessesScene - Preserve the sceneExhibits - Note evidence and preserve any that would be otherwise destroyedIngredients - Consider if ingredients have been establishedPowers - Identify what powers are available Offenders - Identify and apprehend
F.C.G.P.
Freeze, Control, Guard, Preserve
Priorities tasks and assign duties: VOWES
Victim, Offender, Witnesses, Exhibits and Immediate Scene
Crime Scene examination - Five components for success
Forensic teamworkPreservationDocumentationCommunicationFlexibility
What is a reconnaissance
The preliminary reconstructionAn appreciation A plan of action
The four search types
Grid- Divide scene into grids and search each squareLane - Divide scene into lane and search each laneSpiral - Start from a center point and search spiraling outwardsZone - Divide scene into into zones and search each zoneThere is also a sweep method- similar to lane, for open or large areas for people or large items
Scene Zones
Hot - The part of the scene requiring examination and evidence collectionWarm - A transition Zone to enable scene examiners to put on and take off protective clothingCold - A place within the outer cordon for meetings meals etc
Where should exhibits be sealed and packaged
In the hot zone, before being transitioned into the warm zone exhibits proccessing area
At a minimum what should be worn to avid contamination
Gloves and mask
What normally happens first, fingerprinting or DNA analysis
Fingerprinting
To seal exhibit bags, what to use and what not to use
Fold bag over twice and sealed with strong adhesive tape. Never use staples
Wet clothing,how to exhibit
Dry at room temp, do not use accelerated drying techniquesIf clothing is to be taken to see then takes ASAP clearly indicating that item is wet
Document examination, latent indentations before fingerprinting?
Yes indentations before fingerprint as indentations will be lost otherwise
Transfer methods for hair and fibre
One way- fibre rom suspects clothing found on car seatTwo way- suspects clothing on car seats and car seat fibres ar on suspects clothing
Can you fingerprint someone who is to be summonsed
Yes
Physical or mechanical fits, Should officer try and fit pieces together themselves
No, could damage potential evidence
Dress of the day for scene examination.
Overalls, gloves and shoe covers or protectors. Masks and hair caps may be required
Name the general investigation model?
VictimAppreciationWitnessesSceneExhibitsIngredients PowersOffender
Name the basic principals underpinning all serious crime investigations?
Appreciation ProcessPreserve Life / Preserve SceneIdentify & apprehend suspect / secure evidence / identify victim
If the Victim is taken to hospital, what steps should you follow?
- Obtain a medical opinion of the Victims condition2. Seize the Victims clothing3. Establish the Victims identity4. Obtain a pre-transfusion blood sample using a Police toxicology kit5. Seize any discarded bandages used to cover gunshot wounds and record position6. Arrange firearm residue samples in cases where firearm used7. Note and photograph injuries8. Arrange DNA swabs to be taken from the Victims skin9. Obtain details of any or all people who visit or contact Victim10. Conduct scoping interview with the Victim11. Conduct a preliminary interview with ambulance and emergency staff who treated the victim
What five steps should Police follow when they are first at a scene?
- Identify2. Secure3. Preserve4. Consider 5. Record
What are the duties of a scene guard?
- Secure scene- Record details- Control movements - Record movements- Brief others- Avoid disturbance - Protect scene- Brief replacement- respect secuirty- demonstrate courtesy
What steps must you follow when a Victim is showing no signs of life?
- Consider calling ambulance & administering resusatation. If Victim is moved then note original body position2. Remain with body until relieved3. Arrange Doctor to pronounce life extinct 4. Treat Victim as a scene5. Instruct medical staff to leave clothes on body6. If medical treatment was given request connecting tubes be left7. If possible scoping interviews with medical staff8 Ascertain if Victim spoke to anymore before death9. Record body position10. Objectively record everything11. Record all exhibits12. Sketch plan including position of body
Name the steps Police complete if the suspect has been identified at the scene?
- Separate from other people2. Consider condition - injured/alcohol/drugs3. Ask them to remain at the scene4. If suspects refuses to co-operate consider grounds to arrest5. Prevent cross contamination issues6. Suspect arrested/detailed - caution Suspect not arrested/detained - caution when required7. Consider searching vicinity of suspect8. Note suspect appearance and behaviour9. Record everything the suspect says10. Whenever possible interviews of suspect should be recorded on DVD.
General Investigation Model - VAWSEIPO
Victim - Identify and locate the victimAppreciation - Make initial appreciation. Assess personal risk and then preserve the lives of otherWitnesses - Locate and contain witnessesScene - Preserve the sceneExhibits - Note evidence and preserve any that would be otherwise destroyedIngredients - Consider if ingredients have been establishedPowers - Identify what powers are available Offenders - Identify and apprehend
F.C.G.P.
Freeze, Control, Guard, Preserve
Priorities tasks and assign duties: VOWES
Victim, Offender, Witnesses, Exhibits and Immediate Scene
Crime Scene examination - Five components for success
Forensic teamworkPreservationDocumentationCommunicationFlexibility
What is a reconnaissance
The preliminary reconstructionAn appreciation A plan of action
The four search types
Grid- Divide scene into grids and search each squareLane - Divide scene into lane and search each laneSpiral - Start from a center point and search spiraling outwardsZone - Divide scene into into zones and search each zoneThere is also a sweep method- similar to lane, for open or large areas for people or large items
Scene Zones
Hot - The part of the scene requiring examination and evidence collectionWarm - A transition Zone to enable scene examiners to put on and take off protective clothingCold - A place within the outer cordon for meetings meals etc
Where should exhibits be sealed and packaged
In the hot zone, before being transitioned into the warm zone exhibits proccessing area
At a minimum what should be worn to avid contamination
Gloves and mask
What normally happens first, fingerprinting or DNA analysis
Fingerprinting
To seal exhibit bags, what to use and what not to use
Fold bag over twice and sealed with strong adhesive tape. Never use staples
Wet clothing,how to exhibit
Dry at room temp, do not use accelerated drying techniquesIf clothing is to be taken to see then takes ASAP clearly indicating that item is wet
Document examination, latent indentations before fingerprinting?
Yes indentations before fingerprint as indentations will be lost otherwise
Transfer methods for hair and fibre
One way- fibre rom suspects clothing found on car seatTwo way- suspects clothing on car seats and car seat fibres ar on suspects clothing
Can you fingerprint someone who is to be summonsed
Yes
Physical or mechanical fits, Should officer try and fit pieces together themselves
No, could damage potential evidence
Dress of the day for scene examination.
Overalls, gloves and shoe covers or protectors. Masks and hair caps may be required
When packaging documents:- complete LABELS before attaching to exhibits package- include warning NOTES in labels if required- unfold dry PAPERS and package flat- enclose document packages between SHEETS of card- package a SERIES of eftpos documents together
True
Small quantities of powders or tablets found should be packaged in self sealing plastic bags in drugs envelope
True
A wet exhibit should be naturally dried, not packaged
True
An Exhibit package to be forwarded for analysis must:- be sealed by collector at time of collection- be accompanied by a POL143Note: not ‘labelled after sealing to prevent contamination or several items together’
True
Scene: window frame with tool marksAction:- photograph- take control samples- remove area for examination
True
Digital imaging guidelines direct that any image to be produced as evidence must:- be validated by the taker- downloaded on a police/secure computer- secured in a master copy format
True
Photos taken at the crime scene:- must only be printed from police computer- are subject to disclosure- cropped or enlarged for booklet
True
Digital cameras should be assigned to named position or employee
True
Notes should be examined first, not fingerprinted at the scene
True
When uplifting a phone:- Leave it switched on- Uplift and contact ECL for advice (Electronic Crime Lab)
True
Collect wet blood by sterile and dry swabs
True
- Deleted images CAN be retrieved- Deleting images in a digital camera WON’T OR SHOULDN’T remove the images from the camera- Digital images at the scene SHOULD be taken on an approved camera- Reformatting camera WON’T remove images
True
Any tool or sharp blade to be forwarded for DNA analysis should be packaged in a tube or cardboard box, taped, sealed and signed
True
Sequence for uplifting exhibit:- record in situ- notebook record of significance- collect/uplift- seal and secure
True
Latent Prints are:- revealed by use of reagents- sometimes obliterated in search- not visible to eye
True
Fire debris to be sealed in clean airtight tins
True
Scene records including photos; sketches; drawings and notebook entries to be completed prior to search and uplift of exhibits
True
Safety Precautions:- cover hands with double gloves- package securely- discard used gloves- do. It package wet material
True
Exhibits collected should be uplifted; packaged and examined by people wearing gloves and protective clothing
True
Minimum standard for DNA items:- handle one time at a time- wear gloves and masks
True
Get SOCO to 1S scene as latent prints might be on the body
True
Basic Electronic Rule:Off leave offOn leave on
True
Exhibit in a paper bag: must fold bag over 2-3 times and seal with tape
True
Adopting a search pattern assists to examine the scene in a thou rough and controlled Manner
True
Full protective clothing must be worn by anyone:- entering hot zone- transitioning too hot zone- examining exhibit in hot zone(Not when processing in warm zone)
True
Exhibit Schedule contains:- photographs and video/DVD tapes- ID no. of each exhibitNote: NOT ‘all material gathered for analysis’ or ‘only those collected at the crime scene’
True
Reconstruction is tA theory about what happened in the area over time
True
Examples of crime scenes subject to forensic scrutiny:- Get away car - Suspect located soon after- Series of documents in Fraud- Victim of an assaultNOT police interview
True
When managing Hot Zone, O/C has too:- brief examiners on search- establish transition area- display instructions on clothingNOT place guards at Hot Zone
True
Types of evidence at the scene that help with Modus Operandi:- how offender entered scene- what property damaged- where and when crime occurred
True
O/C exhibits role:- check LABEL on each exhibit- prepare DOCUMENTS to accompany exhibits- maintain LOG of exhibit movement- check exhibit PACKAGE sealed and signed- check COLLECTION is safely secured
True
Situation to most likely lead to cross contamination:When scene equipment is reused without cleaning
True
O/C scene must ensure persons working in scene:- package in clean and dry containers- directly briefed about zonal requirements- use gloves to remove and package exhibit
True
Common Approach Path (CAP) is used to control access to the scene to prevent contamination
True
It is not the job of the O/C to establish the relevance of exhibits to the enquiry
True
Zoning a Scene helps too:- control ACCESS to the crime scene- establish set rules for EVIDENCE collection- provide a FRAMEWORK for managing the scene- maintain APPROPRIATE standard for safety- avoid CONTAMINATION of scene and exhibits
True
Scene examination strategy record provides an overview of management strategies and procedures etc
True
Decontamination Zone Model is used at major scene as the scene will contain both biological and physical evidence
True
Search descriptions:Zone = separate areasSpiral = concentric circlesLane = even parallel linesGrid = even squares
True
Stepping plates:- used to direct pathway- easily placed and moved- easy to clean and reuse
True
Scene guard briefed too:- prevent unauthorised access- alert to circumstances of contamination- keep notebook of all movement
True
When communicating scene examination strategy the O/C scene must instruct:- where scene BRIEFINGS occur- how FORENSICS conducted- how scene SECURITY managed- search PATTERN for scene
True
Log movements into zones:Hot Zone - each examiner logs in and out (clip board hanging between warm and hot zone)Cold Zone - scene guard logs movements in and out
True
COLD ZONE:- log book records- scene strategy communicatedNOT clothing or packaging exhibits
True
WARM ZONE:Collecting; recording and securing the exhibit collection
True
Scene Reconnaissance:- Reconnaissance is preliminary INSPECTION OR SURVEY OR RECONSTRUCTION of the scene- Recon include and deliberate a purposeful SEARCH of the scene- The outcome of recon by the O/C scene is a plan for ACTION- Recon encompasses a 4 step APPRECIATION or pathway
True
Essential info at initial action for O/C scene handover is details of any post incident movement in the crime scene
True
DNA can be collected from samples of:- hair- cigarette butts- liquid and dry blood
True
When directed to a serious scene advise Comms the route you are taking and ETA for scene report
True
Establishing a ‘Common Approach Path’ (CAP) is the responsibility of the O/C Scene and not the initial action party
True
Dying persons statement is everything the victim could tell you about the incident
True
When setting boundaries you should:- use tape- use guards- regularly review the perimeter- cordon a large area
True
Information to give when handing over to O/C Scene: All Known Events
True
When 1S, don’t touch or move body under any circumstances
True
Avoid cross contamination by:- using different vehicles- separate interviewing officers- separate victim from others in scene
True
Uplift item if it cannot be protected from elements
True
Accompany victim to the hospital to ensure clothing is protected and preserved
True
Initial reconnaissance to survey scene to establish action required to secure the scene
True
When conducting pre-luminary interview with possible offender you should make notebook entries of his details and demeanour
True
Plan for scene entry:- factors that affect preservation- delegate jobs- avoid suspect path
True
Avoid primary transfer of victim and suspect by:- separating them and keeping them apart- using different vehicles- interview in separate rooms
True
The purpose of a preliminary interview with the witness is too obtain details and gather information for briefing
True
Contamination of crime scene usually occurs through personnel within scene
True
Freeze the scene and no movement unless affected by the weather and it scene can’t be protected
True
Impressions may be left by:- item striking surface- tool mark- teeth or fingernail marks - sole of shoe- finger or palm prints
True
Chain of Evidence is the official record of exhibit collection, security and movement
True
Biological Material is:- hair- blood- semen- saliva
True
Physical Material is:- paint flakes- glass fragments- firearm residue- documents- clothing fibres- footwear impressions
True
Contamination occurs when:- biological material is added to exhibit- you wear the same gloves- lack of boundaries
True
Persistence refers to the length of time forensic material is able to be detected following a crime
True
DNA deteriorates when packaging causes it to degrade and when exposed to the weather
True
Contamination = people entering and leavingDeterioration = rainTransfer = offender returningEvidential Integrity = exhibit movement not recorded
True
How to collect a dry sample of DNA from a crime scene
Dried stains can be scraped or swabbed
Evidence is relevant even if it doesn’t prove anything
True
Contamination occurs when:- exhibits not packaged correctly- equipment not cleaned- forensic material added to exhibit post incident
True
Transfer can occur between the victim and the offender when:- only one vehicle used- not separated at initial action- offender present prior to incident
True
Material collected at a crime scene is contaminated when:- equipment not cleaned- searcher leaves trace - people or animals enter- exhibits repeatedly handled
True
Trace evidence can be seen by human eye, biological or physical and usually in fragments or small particles
True
The ‘Golden Hour’ is when evidential material is more readily available at the scene
True
Secondary transfer is the indirect transfer of evidence to a third party. Eg. Woman dances with Man (A) then later dances with another Man (B) and transfers fibres from one man to the other
True
Elimination samples are taken from those who come into legitimate contact with evidence
True
In a forensic scene, what does persistence refer to
The length of time biological material can be detected following a crime
Elimination samples refer to samples taken from people who are not under investigation for the offence but may come into leg image contact with crime scene
True
Can impressions be left by…Drops of saliva and semenTools used as leverA finger or palm printSole of shoe
No YesYesYes
DNA is known to deteriorate under which of the following conditionsPackaging creates conditions that cause degradeExposed to extreme weather conditionsHanding without glovesExited body for up to two hours
TrueTrueFalseFalse
Evidence maybe affected when…Many people enter and leave sceneOffender taken back to scene for interviewMovement exhibits not recordedDoused in continuous rainfall
ContaminationTransferEvidential integrityDeterioration
Classify can’t main types of evidenceBloodPaint flakesSemenGlass fragments
BiologicalPhysicalBiologicalPhysical
Chains of evidence refers to
Official record of exhibit collection, security and movement
Evidence contamination may occur…Lacks clear boundaries and pathwaysSame gloves uplift different exhibitsBiological material inadvertently added to exhibitMaterial cannot be linked to investigation
TrueTrue TrueFalse
Tangible item that could be evidential material
A locked iPhone
Entomology is the science of studying
Insects
The relevance of forensic evidence is reliant upon what people say or do
False
Scenario eg of secondary transfer between
Woman and male B
Evidence is only relevant to an investigation if it has a tendency to prove anything that is of consequence to the case
False
Material can be contaminated whenExhibits repeatably handledSearcher leave traces on an exhibitScene equipment not cleanedPeople and animals enter scene
All true
The golden hour concept refers to the time when
Evidential material is more readily available at a crime scene
Situation describe transfer between victim and offender may occurOffender is present in scene prior to incidentProfessional medical assistance given to victimOne vehicle used to transport victim and offenderWhen victim and offender not separated for initial interview
Yes NoYesYes
Elimination samples are
Taken from people who had legitimate contact with scene or exhibit
Trace evidenceMaybe biological of physical natureUsually found in fragments or small piecesCannot be seen with human eyeMay only be seen by specialist forensic personnel
TrueTrueFalseFalse
Contamination may occur whenForensic material added to exhibit post incidentExposed to rain or sunshineNot correctly packaged or securedEquipment used not properly cleaned
TrueFalseTrueTrue
Preventing transfer forensic material byVictim and suspect not transported in the same vehicleScene guards appointed to take car of witness and suspectVictim and suspect separated at scene and kept apartInterviews conducted different rooms
True FalseTrueTrue
S29 offence and victim going to hospitalOfficer should accompany the victim to ensure
Clothing is collected and preserved for exhibit collection
Initial reconnaissance by first on scene officers at serious crime is to
Survey the scene to establish the action required at the scene
Initial action team must formulate a plan for scene entry thatAvoids known suspect path from the sceneDelegates responsibilities between themPriorities locating suspect above all elseConsider factors that may affect scene preservation
TrueTrueFalseTrue
Preliminary interview with suspicious male near scene of serious crime
Make notebook entry of this details and his demeanour
I car first on scene to serious crash. Constables first duties is to
Ensure the crash scene is safe as possible
Purpose prelim interview with witness at a scene is Ascertain legal reason to be at sceneGather information for your handover briefingAscertain who needs to be separated and kept apartObtain identifying particulars and contact details
FalseTrueFalseTrue
OC initial action could decide to uplift an item from a scene of serious crime when the item
Cannot be protected from the elements and will deteriorate
Blood and Bodily FluidCover abrasions on hands and use double glovesPackage exhibits securely and label biohazard warningDiscard gloves in biohazard containerPackage wet materials holding blood of bodily fluids promply
TrueTrueTrueFalse
Reformatting a digital camera ____ remove imagesDeleted images in a digital camera _____ remove the imagesDelete images ____ be retrieved from the memory cardDigital images taken at a crime scene ____ be taken on approved camera
Won’t or similarWon’tCanShould
Because deleted images can very easily be recovered from digital camera the guidelines direct
Digital camera are assigned to a named position or employee
Exhibit packaged and forwarded for analysisMay hold several items of evidenceMust be sealed by collected at the time of collectionMust be labelled to prevent contaminationMust be accompanied by completed POL143
FalseTrueFalseTrue
When packaging an exhibit in windowed paper bag or kleensak you must
Fold over the top of the bag 2-3 times and deal with tape
An exhibit that is wet should be prompley packaged sealed and labelled to avoid further deterioration
False
Digital images produced as exhibitBe secured in a master copy read only formatHave been downloaded to police computerBe validated by image numbering and the takerHave been taken by trained person
True TrueTrueFalse
Identify correct sequence for exhibits
Record the exhibit in situMake a notebook recordUse disposable gloves to uplift packageSeal, label and secure
Exhibit should be uplifted, packaged and examined only by people wearing gloves and protective clothing
True
Sketches, notebooks, drawings must be completed prior to searching and uplifting material
True
What can establish MO at a crime sceneFingerprints provide positive IDHow offender entered sceneWhat property removed or damagedWhen and where offence occurred
FalseTrueTrueTrue
What maybe subject to forensic scrutiny in serious crime. Vehicle used as getaway carSuspect located soon after incidentShopkeeper who is victim of serious assaultPolice interview
TrueTrueTrueFalse
Managing hot zoneDisplay instructions about protective clothingEstablish transaction area from hot zone protectionPlace guards to monitor hot zone entry and exitBrief examiners on search strategy
TrueTrueFalseTrue
OC exhibits responsibilities includeChecking an exhibit ____ is sealed and signedMaintain a ____ of exhibit movementChecking the _____ on each exhibit is completeChecking the _____ is safety secured
PackageLogLabelCollection
Adopt a search pattern assets to
Examine the end in a thorough and controlled manner
A reconstruction is a theory about what took place in a given area over a relevant period of time and how it is likely to have happened
True
Persons working in serious crime sceneAre directly briefed about zonal requirementsUse gloves to remove and package exhibitsPackage exhibits in clean and dry containersWork with haste to package and remove exhibits
True TrueTrueFalse
What isn’t responsibly of OC exhibits
Establish the relevance of the exhibit to the enquires
Full protective clothing must be worn by anyone…Examining exhibit found in the hot zoneProcessing and exhibit collection in warm zoneTransitioning from warm to hot zoneExtending hot zone by way of stepping plates
TrueFalseTrue True
What situation would most likely lead to cross contamination
When scene equipment is reused without cleaning
A common approach path to and from the crime scene is established to
Control access to the scene to prevent contamination
An exhibit schedule produced for court contains records All material gathered for forensic analysis Identification number allocated to each exhibitPhotographs and videoOnly those exhibits collected at the crime scene
FalseTrueTrueFalse
Intangible evidential material example
Facebook account
Not all homicides are readily identifiable as such. What are some ways a homicide may be initially reported to police?
- Report of a missing person- Sudden unexplained death of an infant- Unexplained death- Report of an abduction- Report of violence where no fatalities are anticipated- Crime scene without a body present- Hit and run vehicle collision- Suicide - Fatal fire- Drug-related deaths.
When attending a crime scene as the first responder we use the investigation model of VAWSEIPO what does this stand for?
V - VictimA - AppreciationW - WitnessS - SceneE - ExhibitsI - Ingredients P - PowersO - Offenders
What are the three key things to remember to do when first attending a crime scene?
Freeze, control, guard, and preserve the crime scene..
When first responding to a crime scene making appreciations while the investigation develops is important. What are the four steps of an appreciation?
1 - Aim2 - Factors3 - Courses open4 - Plan (and execute)
When you first arrive at the scene of a serious crime you will conduct an appreciation, what should you main priority be?
Conduct a reconnaissance of the scene, establish who is present, this may include injured people or a hidden offender. The main priority during this will always be to ensure the safety of the attending Police members and to avoid unnecessary disturbance to the scene.
Once you have established who is at the scene the victim/s can be put into three categories, what are they?
- Alive and uninjured- Alive but injured- Shows no signs of life
Once you have made sure everyone at the scene is safe and has been given medical treatment and if needed removed for further treatment and there is no one else needing assistance what is the next main priority?
Preserving the scene
If someone is moved in the scene or removed from the scene for medical treatment what should you do?
- Note the original body position and record any movements.- If the victim is removed from the scene gain the details of the ambulance crew and where they will be taking the victim, if possible have a detective accompany the victim to hospital. Otherwise, a detective should attend the hospital without delay.
If you are the detective attending the hospital for a victim of a serious crime there are 11 steps you should complete for the investigation. What are the first 4 steps?
1 - Obtain a medical opinion about the victim’s current medical condition2 - Seized the victim’s clothing and other possessions as evidence3 - Establish the victim’s identity4 - Obtain a pre-transfusion blood sample using Police Toxicology Kit containers.
If you are the detective attending the hospital for a victim of a serious crime there are 11 steps you should complete for the investigation. What are steps 5-9?
5 - Seize any discarded bandages used to cover gunshot wounds, and record the position on the victim where each bandage had been applied6 - Arrange firearms residue samples in cases where firearm use is suspected, including from the victim of any apparent suicide involving a firearm7 - Note and photograph any injuries8 - Arrange DNA swabs to be taken from the victim’s skin, where they would be relevant to the particular circumstances of the case.9 - Obtain details of any and all people who visit or contact the victim.
If you are the detective attending the hospital for a victim of a serious crime there are 11 steps you should complete for the investigation. What are steps 10 and 11?
10 - Conduct a scoping interviw with the victim using appropriate open questions to establish what happened and who was involved; where this would not adversly affect the medical welfare of the victim.If it is anticipated the victim may die, consider recording an immediate statement, whether the victim can sign or not.11 - Conduct a preliminary interview with ambulance and emergency staff who treated the victim to establish what happened.
The fundamental responsibility of police employees is to preserve life. If you discover a body you must never assume a person is dead if there is the slightest possibility the person is still alive, what should you do?
Administer first aid and request and ambulance
In what condition does a boy have to be for you to not administer first aid and request an ambulance?
Badly decomposed or a mutilated corpse.
When you discover a body there are 12 steps your should take, what are steps 1 - 6?
1 - Consider calling an ambulance and administering first aid, if appropriate. If the victim has to be moved for this purpose, note the original body position and record any previous movements.2 - Remain with the body until relieved by CIB or a supervisor.3 - Arrange a doctor to pronounce life extinct, unless death is obvious, i.e. decapitation or badly decomposed body.4 - Treat the ‘victim’ as a scene (do not move the body unnecessarily).5 - Instruct medical staff to leave clothes on the body6 - If medical treatment has been given then request that connecting tubes, needles, bandages, and other medical items are left ‘in situ’.
When you discover a body there are 12 steps your should take, What are steps 7 - 12
7 - If possible, conduct scoping interviews with medical staff who treated the victim and establish their actions, apparent cause of death and injury type/s.8 - Ascertain if the victim spoke to anyone before and record what was said.9 - Record body position, lividity, obvious injuries and clothing10 - Objectively record everything observed using all senses, including sight, sound, and smell. Include what is considered unimportant or non-evidential as after further investigation such information may become relevant.11 - Record all exhibits12 - Sketch a plan including the position of the body and position of exhibits.
When you are a scene guard and keeping a scene log what must you record in the log?
- Details, times and purposes of all people who enter, attempt to enter, or leave the crime scene- Any other activity around the crime scene that you think is relevant to the case.
Why is it important to keep an accurate log when guarding a scene?
- To ensure there is no unauthorised entry into the scene- To ensure the integrity of evidence or potential evidence is secured- To maximise intelligent oportunities- To manage contamination issues.
If you are going to brief someone who is going to be a scene guard what 10 duties must brief them on?
1 - Secure Scene2 - Record Details3 - Control movements4 - Record movements5 - Brief others6 - Avoid disturbance7 - Protect the scene8 - Brief replacement9 - Respect security10 - Demonstrate courtesy
If there is a witness at the scene the information they hold may be crucial. It is important to have an initial interview with the witness, keep in mind they will be interviewed further in a more substantial way. What should your initial questioning with the witness cover?
- What happened- Where exactly the incident happened- When it happened- Who was involved- What the witness did- Where the witness went- What the witness touched- Who touched the witness- Who else was present- Descriptions of who was present- What did those other people present say/do
Some witnesses may have been so proximate to events, that it is likely evidence was transferred to the witness, from the victim, suspect, or from the scene itself. What types of evidence must you be mindful about and obtaining if possible?
Transferable evidence such as,- Fibres- Body fluids- glass or other material
What should you consider doing to preserve and recover evidence from a forensically important witness?
- Immediate DNA swabs of an areas of the witness that the suspect may have touched- Immediate DNA swabs of any blood present on the witness- Immediate swabs of any other relevant stains present on the witness- Forensic medical examination, i.e. fingernail scrapings, hair combing etc.- Seizure of clothing and footwear- Seizure of any items of property touched by the suspect.
What are some important things to consider when you have a forensically important witness?
- Avoid any potential cross contamination issues by arranging for witnesses, victims, and suspects to be transported separately in different vehilces- Photographing witnesses at the scene enables future identification of witnesses; for example to assist CCTV enquires for O/C Witnesses’ to use at court hearings- Photograph any injuries suffered by witnesses.
There are 8 steps to assist with obtaining key material from witnesses, what are they?
1 - Obtain full details2 - Assemble people in a clear area, ensuring a police officer remains with them3 - If possible, isolate witnesses from one another to reduce the likely hood of contamination and/or collusion. 4 - Identify witnesses and conduct a brief scoping interview. Include descriptions of other people mentioned5 - Establish whether any people have left the area6 - If the witness has made telephone calls from the scene, establish the numbers such calls were made from and to, and who answered.7 - Record registration numbers of nearby vehicles to establish which drivers/passengers may have been in the area.8 - Seize any CCTV relevant to the vicinity/route to establish who may have been in the area at the relevant time.
While searching a crime scene you must be aware of intangible evidence.Which of the following could provide intangible evidence material?
1) CCTV camera2) Memory stick3) Facebook account.
DNA (blood sample) is known to deteriorate under which of the following conditions:1) When exposed to extremes of weather conditions.2) When packaging creates conditions that cause it to degrade.3) When handled without gloves or masks.4) When it has exited the body for up to two hours.
1) True2) True3) False4) False.
Evidence contamination may occur when:1) A crime scene lacks clear boundaries, pathways and security.2) Biological material is inadvertently added to an exhibit.3) An examiner wears the same gloves to uplift different exhibits.4) When the material collected cannot be linked to the investigation.
1) True2) True3) True4) False.
Select the forensic concept that best describes how the collection of forensic evidence may be affected when:1) Many people enter and leave the scene.2) The offender is taken back into the scene for interview.3) The movement of exhibits is not recorded.4) The crime scene is dowsed in continuous rainfall.
1) Contamination2) Transfer3) Evidential integrity4) Deterioration.
Evidential material, in relation to a particular offence, means evidence of the offence or any other item, tangible or intangible, of relevance to the investigation of the offence.A tangible item that could be evidential material is:
A locked iPhone.
