5 - Homicide and serious crime victims Flashcards
Responsibilities of OC body
- Ensure death has been certified by Doctor or qualified paramedic using deceased person certificate (POL 265)
- Maintain security and continuity of the body, samples and exhibits, from the scene to the commencement of the post-mortem examination
- Secure and guard the body, body samples and any exhibits relating to the body, with dignity and respect.
- note and record observations relating to the body
- note details of medical staff or others who have attended the victim
- Record what actions have been taken by any party in respect of the body
- Establish if the body has been moved or is in situ
What to do at post mortem when OC body
- attend the briefing of the pathologist by the OC investigation and contribute as required
- ensure Police photographer takes appropriate and sufficient photographs of the body before clothing is removed, again after body disrobed, and during the PM. Pathologist will direct photographer
- preserve evidence from the body
- record, label and secure all samples and exhibits associated with the body
- arrange for fingerprints and palm prints to be taken
Appreciation in respect of removal of body from scene
- Notification to and response from Coroner
- Views of pathologist, ESR, and Crown attending the scene
- Consultation with other relevant experts
- Requirement for any examination or action needed before removal
- Best method and route for the body removal, minimise contamination of the scene
- Supervision of body removal
- Chain of custody of body
Recording details and removing the body
- Record the position of the body by sketch plan and direct a Police photographer to take photos.
- In consultation with the Crime scene coordinator and or OC scene, consider marking and recording the position of the body before moving it
- Record details of the position of the body, including:
- position of the limbs
- appearance of the body
- wounds and clothing
- direction of any trails of blood present on the body
- Lividity if present
- extent of rigor mortis
- Consider health risks by handling the body
- Cover hands feet and head with paper bags, secured with tape to prevent. If limb is wet, use plastic bag
- Ensure clothing on the body is not contaminated by contact foreign objects
Primary role of OC body during post mortem
is to observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body, in a structured, methodical manner
Purpose of the post mortem
Primary reason is to establish cause of death. The pathologists findings will provide further information to drive the investigation, which may include:
- determining where possible, the mode and time of death
- establishing how injuries or events at the scene may have contributed to death
- nature and size of weapons used
- approximate height and stature of suspect
- negating defences
- identifying the victim
Who can attend a post mortem?
Section 38 of the Coroners Act 2006:
- pathologist
- coroner
- doctor who treated the deceased
- a doctor nurse or funeral director representing the deceased (if authorised by coroner)
- a doctor representing the interests of a suspect who has or may be charged in relation to the death
- Police
Which Police should attend post mortem?
- OC investigation
- OC body
- OC exhibits for post mortem
- Police photographer
- SOCO or fingerprints
Consideration should be given to seeking authority from Coroner for following parties to attend:
- ESR forensic scientist
- Crown Solicitor
Use of other experts in a post mortem
OC investigation may consult other experts regarding conduct of the pm, such as:
- Odontologist
- Biologist
- Medical illustrator
- Toxicologist
- Ballistics expert
- Crime scene examiner
Arrival at mortuary, OC body must
- Ensure mortuary staff do not wash the body
- Ensure the body is labelled and secured in the secure mortuary fridge
- Retain any key used to secure the body, until it is required for the PM
- Ensure the body remains in its present condition until the commencement of the PM
- Arrange formal ID of the body
Methods of ID when body is mutilated or decomped
- fingerprints
- DNA profiling
- dental records
- eye examination records
- medical examination records, scar, birth marks etc
- personal effects
Steps for stripping the body during PM
- Body must only be stripped in presence of the pathologist
- Remove body from secure fridge and assist mortuary staff to take the body into the PM examination room
- Remove body from body bag - cause minimal disturbance to body
- Seize body bag and any other sheets or wrappings as exhibits
- If necessary, direct Police photographer to take additional photographs to ensure that appropriate and sufficient photographs of the body are taken before clothing is removed, and again after body is disrobed
- Remove items of clothing from the body. Technicians may assist if directed by OC body. Cutting clothing off should be avoided. search clothing pockets and make inventory of each pockets contents.
- Make inventory of clothing and possessions as each item is removed
OC body must ensure the photographer at the mortuary takes sufficient appropriate photographs of..
- the body before and after it is stripped
- close up photos of any wounds, marks, internal injuries and unusual features. Must include measuring scale to make a permanent record of the dimensions of the feature
At the conclusion of the examination, the OC investigation will fully debrief…
the pathologist with the OC body present. During the debrief, the OC body will record the pathologists findings as well as the cause of death, but only at the direction of the OC Investigation or pathologist.
Interim cause of death
This may be provided in some cases where further associated enquiries are needed to establish the final cause of death, such as suspected poisoning etc
