16 - Exhibit Management Flashcards
Who should be appointed OC exhibits?
Qualified Detective, with previous experience in:
- mass exhibit handling
- forensic principles
- methods of exhibit recovery
- approved procedures for packaging and security of evidence
During any investigation, the OC exhibits is responsible for…
establishing and maintaining exhibit management systems and for maintaining the physical security and continuity of all exhibits. Their duties will culminate in the provision of an accurately recorded exhibit package and the availability of exhibits as required throughout the court process
Conducting appreciation on each exhibit, to establish
- evidential value of each exhibit
- investigative opportunities presented by each exhibit
- further enquiries that are needed
SOPS in relation to scenes and exhibits
OC exhibits must consult with OC investigation to identify any requirements for a particular scene, eg what clothes are to be worn. Adherence to standard practices will ensure exhibit integrity and provide accountability for the chain of custody.
The OC exhibits must update OC and 2IC on…
- what exhibits have been found and their movements
- the results of any exhibit examinations
- whether any further enquiries are required
OC exhibits should only accept an exhibit if…
- exhibit label contains exhibit number and name of op.
- The property is correctly packaged and sealed, and the exhibit label is visible and secured on the outside of the package.
- any prompt action necessary has been taken, ie drying wet exhibits.
Examination of exhibits - The OC exihibits will determine, plan…
and record the examination and interrogation of every exhibit and establish its relevance to the investigation
Forensic strategy meeting, purpose and topics covered.
They are held to determine which exhibit or other forensic examinations are required and the priority of those examinations.
Topics covered during meeting:
- What examinations ESR and others could conduct on exhibits
- The priority each examination should receive
- Whether any further work is needed to assist a reconstruction
- A plan for any work to be completed that is required to assist the reconstruction
- An agreed reconstruction of the events relevant to the crime under investigation
Preparing for trial - before the commencement of the trial, the OC Investigation…
must decide which exhibits are considered relevant, determine the significance of any forensic examinations and establish the most appropriate manner in which exhibits and examination results are to be presented at trial.
Who is included in the chain of custody?
The chain of custody includes every individual who has had custody of an exhibit, from the time it was first discovered until the time it is produced in Court. It is used to demonstrate the integrity, and therefore admissibility, of exhibits.
To preserve the integrity of exhibits…
and limit the number of persons involved in the chain of custody, it is preferable that as few people as possible handle exhibits
Each person with custody of the exhibit must be able to demonstrate:
- when they received custody of the exhibit and where from
- where and how the exhibit was securely stored
- when, why and how the exhibit was moved from one place to another
- how the exhibit has been treated, safeguarded and preserved
- when and why they transferred custody of an exhibit to another person, and to whom
Exhibit number ranges
Admin - 10000 Victim - 15000 Witnesses - 20000 Area Canvass - 25000 Scenes - 30000 Suspects - 70000
What should an exhibit schedule record have for each exhibit?
- exhibit number
- detailed description of exhibit
- name of the operation
- location of the scene
- exact location where exhibit was found
- name of the finder
What is an exhibits register?
It is an electronic document which forms the master record of every exhibit obtained during an investigation.
OC exhibits is responsible for entering information from each scene exhibit schedule onto the exhibit register.
Only OC exhibits and typist should have access to exhibits register
