12 - Role of the OC suspects

Question 1

The OC suspects is responsible for supervising the members of the suspects team for the purpose of…

Answer 1

• obtaining information about suspects and POI’s
• profiling and investigating all suspects and POI’s to enable the OC investigation to establish their involvement in the offence or eliminate them from the enquiry
• seeking evidence to cover all ingredients of the offences
• mitigating and dealing with possible defences that may be raised
• providing a basis for further investigation

Question 2

3 categories for management of suspects

Answer 2

• identification and profiling
• arrest/termination
• interviewing

Question 3

Who determines the status of suspects

Answer 3

OC investigation

Question 4

Initial briefing that OC suspects give to his team

Answer 4

• circumstances of the offence including 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 witnesses
• whether any MO has been identified

Question 5

Determining investigation priorities - aspects that might influence the setting of priorities…

Answer 5

are the relative weight of evidence against a person or the likelihood of their leaving the area. You may also be influenced by a particular urgency in solving the case or the availability of staff.

Question 6

The OC suspects phase must regularly debrief their team members on…

Answer 6

the enquiries they have conducted and the results of these enquiries so that they can maintain a constant flow of information at conferences, between the members of the suspects team and other investigation staff

Question 7

How to locate possible suspects

Answer 7

• area canvass
• intelligence analysis
• Police notings
• fingerprints
• DNA samples
• witness evidence

Question 8

Prior to interviewing a suspect, the OC suspects should:

Answer 8

• liaise with the OC Investigation re selection of the interviewer.
• consult with OC regarding most appropriate mode of recording the interview, usually on video.
• establish the status of the person
• consider if the person needs special considerations
• ensure interviewer is fully briefed
• discuss with interviewer ingredients that need to be covered

Question 9

During any interview of a suspect, the OC suspects must ensure that…

Answer 9

• the interview is conducted in accordance with the ‘investigative interviewing suspect guide’
• the interview is monitored by a supervisor or experienced Detective to ensure all key points covered
• ensure an explanation is sought from the suspect in relation to any exhibits found

Question 10

Any potential for cross contamination…

Answer 10

must be eliminated by conducting an appreciation and applying stringent standard procedures for managing exhibits throughout the investigation.

Where more than one suspect involved, consider which staff are assigned to seize clothing from suspects.

Question 11

Medical examination of suspects, the doctor must..

Answer 11

• note any injuries
• take samples, ie blood, saliva, hair etc
• swab suspects hands for firearms residue if firearm involved
• provide professional opinion regarding the condition of the suspect

Record any explanations or comments made by the suspect about the offence or the cause of any of the injuries. Photographs of the suspect and any relevant marks or injuries must be taken.

Question 12

In investigating any alibi offered, the OC suspects must:

Answer 12

• make enquiries of people other than the persons whose particulars have been supplied to confirm or rebut evidence in support of the alibi
• complete enquiries to establish where the suspect was at the time of the offence, who they were with and what they were doing
• wherever possible, corroboration of the alibi provided by the suspect should be sought from forensic or other sources that are independent of the suspect