3. Family Liaison

Question 1

What is the role of the FLO?

Answer 1

involves the day-to-day management of the partnership between the family of the deceased and the Police investigation. Their primary function is an investigator, not a support person, however they may offer, facilitate and coordinate the support that addresses the need of the family.

Question 2

What needs to be considered as part of the development of the family liaison plan?

Answer 2

• Selection of the FLO
• Exit plan for the FLO
• Objectives of the family liaison
• Assessing the most appropriate method of conducting interviews with family members
• Information to be released or withheld from family members
• Complaints made by the family
• Any member of the family considered a suspect
• Liaison with Victim Support and other support services

Question 3

What is included within the term family?

Answer 3

• Includes partners, parents, siblings, children, guardian, whanua, and any others who had a direct and close relationship with the victim
• Includes ‘chosen’ family
• Should reflect the victims culture and lifestyle

Question 4

What should be considered if there is a suspect within the family?

Answer 4

• The FLO’s welfare and safety
• Increased monitoring of FLW work and interaction with the family
• Level of information disclosed to FLO and family
• Any intelligence arising from FLO contact with the family
• Importance of documenting all contact and interaction with the family
• Deployment of deputy FLO for corroboration issues
• Not using FLO in search or arrest of a family member

Question 5

What should be considered around cultural requirements?

Answer 5

the FLO should identify the cultural origins of the victims family and ensure they are familiar with the relevant cultural beliefs and protocols, to enhance relations with the family and contribute to the victim profile.

Question 6

What should the FLO do before meeting with the family?

Answer 6

• Liaise closely with the OC Investigation regarding parameters of information
• Familiarise self with enquiry
• Familiarise self with all information and intelligence concerning the family
• Establish what contact has been made with Police since the incident/death
• Establish what information has been given to the family
• Establish what information is already in the public domain

Question 7

What must the FLO do during the early stages of the investigation?

Answer 7

• Provide immediate appropriate information to the family concerning the death and explain what happens next in respect to the body
• Provide family with the NOK Coronial booklet
• Establish from family any immediate evidence, information or rumours which they may be aware of
• Inform the OC Investigation if they express concern for personal safety or have been subject of threats or intimidation
• Protect the family from unwarranted media intrusion
• Arrange temporary housing where the family home is a crime scene

Question 8

What should the victims family be notified of?

Answer 8

• Notified of programmes, remedies, or services available though Police
• Progress of the investigation
• The family’s role as witnesses in the prosecution of the offence
• Inform family of their rights to register on the VNR
• Makes all reasonable efforts to ascertain views on bail
• Inform of charges laid, or reasons why note
• Date and place of each Court appearance
• Any application for suppression of name or other identifying particulars
• Release on bail and details of bail

Question 9

What are two categories of information sources?

Answer 9

• people: friends, associates, colleagues, partners

- passive data sources: medical history, NIA, vehicle details, banking