21-30 Flashcards
Describe two topics to be covered during a forensic strategy meeting?
Topics covered during a forensic strategy meeting may include:
- what examinations ESR and others can conduct on exhibits
- the priority each examination should receive
- whether any future 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
When implementing the family liaison plan, the family liaison officer should identify which family member(s) to liaise with at an early stage. Describe who the term “family” relates to.
Includes partners, parents, siblings, children, guardians, whanau and any others who have had a direct and close relationship with the victim.
Includes chosen family.
They should reflect the victims culture and lifestyle.
When appointing an officer to interview a witness to a serious offence, what four main issues should be considered regarding the potential interviewing officer?
The level of training of the interviewer (investigatively important adult witnesses should be done by a level 3 adult witness interviewer or level 2).
The experience the officer has in interviewing witnesses in major investigations and any additional skills the interviewer has which may be advantageous in the circumstances.
The suitability of the officer to undertake the interview. This should include a consideration of any welfare issues and whether any previous experience that the officer has with the witness is likely to either inhibit or encourage rapport with the interviewee, or give rise to later challenges of coaching, prompting or offering inducements.
Interviewing officers should be informed of their role at an early stage and given the opportunity to plan the interview.
During an investigation into multiple suspects for a serious offence, what steps can investigators take to mitigate or eliminate the possibility of forensic cross examination between the suspects?
Officers involved should be fully aware of cross contamination issues.
Separate officers should be assigned to each suspect.
Suspects must be kept apart including when travelling in vehicles and when in cells.
All clothing should be packaged, labelled and sealed in accordance with standard procedures before transfer to O/C exhibits.
Describe four of the responsibilities of the O/C exhibits in a serious crime investigation.
The O/C exhibits is responsible for:
- Establishing and maintaining exhibit management systems. - ie setting up the exhibit register and making updates accordingly.
- Maintaining the physical security and continuity of all exhibits. - ie ensuring that exhibits are kept in a secured location and all movements of the exhibit are appropriately recorded.
- Conducting an appreciation of every exhibit to establish the evidential value of each exhibit, investigative opportunities presented by each exhibit and further enquiries that are needed.
- Establishing required standards for recovery, handling, labelling, storage, submission to experts, presentation for court and disposal of exhibits and ensuring these processes are completed in accordance with the requirements set out by the O/C investigation and serious crime template.
Describe who should be appointed as O/C body at a serious crime scene.
The O/C body of a serious crime scene should be an experienced investigator with awareness for forensic issues.
Where this is not possible the O/C body may require additional support and or mentoring (additional deputy to assist O/C body as scene exhibits officer can be considered, especially during the PM exam).
Under what circumstances may the O/C body make any notes of discussions concerning the post mortem examination?
The O/C body must not make notes of discussions concerning the PM unless specifically directed to by the O/C investigation and/or pathologist.
Under the completion of the area canvass phase, the O/C area canvass must submit a report to the O/C investigation outlining the circumstances of this particular aspect of the investigation. What matter must the report contain?
It must contain:
- A summary of all action taken
- Any significant findings highlighted and
- attention drawn to any action that has been undertaken which was outside of the original phase strategy.
What is the first priority when conducting a risk assessment at the scene of a serious incident?
The first priority will always be to ensure the safety of attending Police officers.
Next is establishing the physical condition of the victim which falls into 3 categories:
- Alive and uninjured
- Alive but injured
- Shows no signs of life
Police who arrive at a serious crime scene should identify, preserve and record the scene. What actions should Police take to preserve the scene upon initial arrival?
Identify and preserve the scene - freeze, control, preserve.
Carry out initial assessment of the scene.
Use a common approach path.
Clear and secure the scene.
Arrange and brief scene guards. Ensuring crime scene logs are used.
Establish adequate cordon parameters.
If no immediate life is at risk, consider using stepping plates.
Protect fragile exhibits and any exhibits exposed to the element.
Call for assistance/resources as necessary.
Make appropriate records, sketches - who, what, where, when, why, how.
Sketch plan, initial photographs of the scene.
Make accurate records and report them to the O/C investigation as soon as possible.
