6.300 Crime Scene Investigations and Investigative Personnel Notifications

Question 1

What is the reasoning for conducting a Crime Scene Investigation?

Answer 1

The reasons for conducting crime scene investigations are to identify, document, and collect evidence which tends to prove or disprove a criminal offense has been committed and to identify the party or parties responsible.

Question 2

Patrol officers will begin the preliminary investigation and brief a supervisor when detectives are responding to assume the investigative responsibility. What should a patrol supervisor do?

Answer 2

A patrol supervisor should respond and either provide the briefing to detectives or will designate an officer to provide the briefing to detectives.

Question 3

Force Investigation Team (FIT) and Critical Incident Review Team Notifications (CIRT) respond and conduct appropriate investigations related to critical events, in-custody deaths, and incidents where LVMPD members are the victims of violent crime while performing their official duties.

When will each be notified?

Answer 3

FIT will be notified on all:

1. Officer involved shootings (OIS)
2. In-custody deaths or death or critical bodily harm where there was police involvement
3. Use of deadly force incidents
4. Incidents where the force used by officer’s lead to critical injury to the subject whom the force was applied.
5. Any incident wherein the department member, during the course of official duties, is the victim of a violent felony crime and sustains critical injury

CIRT will be notified on all:

1. OISs
2. In-custody deaths
3. Attempt suicides at Detention Services Division (DSD)
4. Use of Deadly Force incidents (including intentional animal shoots)
5. Incidents where the force used by officers lead to critical injury to the subject whom the force was applied
6. Any incident wherein the department member, during the course of official duties, is the victim of a violent felony crime and sustains critical injury

Question 4

For Crime Scene Investigation Control, who will respond and assume control?

Answer 4

The area sergeant or lieutenant will respond to all major incidents/scenes and assume command from the patrol officer at the scene. It will be the responsibility of the area sergeant, lieutenant, or incident commander to evaluate the circumstances and decide the need for the Crime Scene Investigation Section. The watch commander will be notified by the area sergeant. with the details of all major incidents/scenes.