11-20 Flashcards
What is the first thing to consider when undertaking a course of action at a serious crime scene?
Every person taking a course of action a serious crime scene must first consider what risks may exist.
Initial responders must assess the situation quickly yet carefully and decide what the most important things to do are, and how and in what order.
Their primary functions include:
- Attendance at an early stage
- Taking control of the situation
- Coordinating tasks
Describe the role of the O/C body at a post mortem examination.
The role of the O/C body at a post mortem examination is to observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body in a structured and methodical manner.
What action must Police staff at the scene of a serious crime take if the media are present?
If members of the media are present at the scene of a serious crime, Police staff must keep them away from the immediate scene cordon and make no comment.
Consult with the O/C investigation on arrival and explain what has happened.
Identify what media members are present and where they are located.
State why it is important that Police staff who have first contact with the informant to a serious crime should be debriefed regarding first contact?
Police who have had first contact with the informant to a serious crime should be debriefed and a full record made of their contact.
This record could become crucial if later the informant is identified a suspect.
In some circumstances, consideration should be given to interviewing such officers as investigatively important witnesses.
What responsibilities does the O/C suspects have when an alibi is put forward by an offender concerning a matter in respect of which proceedings have been commenced?
It is the responsibility of the O/C suspect to make thorough enquiries to determine the veracity of the alibi and report the result of these enquires to the Crown through the 2IC.
The O/C suspects must make enquiries of people whose particulars have been provided to confirm or rebut evidence in support of the alibi, and
Complete enquiries to establish where the suspect was at the time of the offence and what they were doing.
Wherever possible, corroboration of the alibi provided by the suspect should be sought from forensic or other sources independent of the suspect.
On some occasions it may be necessary to conduct a prompt, preliminary interview with a witness who possess information or material that is likely to rapidly progress the investigation.
State the types of information that could be obtained by an early preliminary interview.
Information that may lead to:
- Early identification or arrest of a suspect
- Recovery of evidence or information relevant to the offence
- Prevention of imminent disposal or destruction of evidence connected to the investigation
- Prevention of the commission of other offences.
In the case of homicide or serious crimes involving a Maori victim, an Iwi liaison officer (ILO) must be engaged as early as possible. In what ways can the ILO provide assistance to the investigation?
The ILO will provide an understanding and awareness of the Maori traditions, protocols and beliefs and enhance relations between the investigation, family of the deceased and Maori community.
You are the first at the scene of a homicide and you are advised that the suspect is still present. What should be your first priority in relation to the suspect?
The identification, apprehension and isolation of the suspect are priority. Locating the suspect quickly can provide the investigation with forensic and other evidence that may otherwise be lost.
How can specialist Police such as the Criminal Profiling Unit or Criminal Geographic Profilers assist with the O/C area canvass planning stage?
Specialist Police units such as the CPU or CGP may be consulted to assist with setting parameters or identifying locations where suspects are likely to frequent or reside.
During the suspects phase of an investigation it is important for the O/C suspects to regularly debrief their team members. What general matters should be covered during debriefs?
Their initial briefings should include:
- The circumstances of the offence including an analysis of the scene and witness evidence available.
- The full details of all persons of interest and any suspect, where the identity of suspects are known.
- Details of any descriptions of the suspect provided by the witness.
- Whether any particular MO/crime signatures have been identified.
The O/C suspects phase must regularly debrief their team members on the enquiries they have conducted and the results of these inquiries so that they can maintain a constant flow of information at conferences between the members of the suspects team and other investigation staff. Priority information must be brought to the attention of the O/C investigation as necessary.
