Crime Scene

Question 1

The first Police arriving at the scene of a serious crime are responsible for all Police action
until they are relieved by

Answer 1

supervisor, CIB staff or the OC Investigation. Until they are
relieved, they are the temporary OC Investigation.

Question 2

Definition of an appreciation

Answer 2

Is a proven method of problem solving
The process follows a series of set
steps to ensure the optimum course of action is decided upon
It considers all appropriate
factors and weighs the benefits and risks of all alternative solutions

Question 3

What is Police purpose when attending a death

Answer 3

Police’s purpose is
always to investigate thoroughly and gather sufficient evidence to satisfactorily explain the
circumstances of the death.

Question 4

If it is anticipated the victim may die, consider recording an immediate
statement, whether the victim can sign it or not. If the victim subsequently
dies, their statement may be admissible in proceedings as hearsay evidence,
under section 18(1) of the Evidence Act 2006. In order to be considered
admissible evidence under 18(1)(a),

Answer 4

the court must be satisfied that both the
content of the statement and the person who made it, are reliable. Police taking the statement must therefore record any factors which demonstrate the reliability of the statement or its maker.
The circumstances to consider
• the nature of the statement;
• the contents of the statement;
• the circumstances relating to the making of the statement;
• circumstances relating to the veracity of the person; and
• circumstances relating to the accuracy of the observation of the person.

Question 5

Some witnesses may have been so proximate to events, that it is likely evidence was transferred to the witness, from the victim, suspect or from the scene itself. Before the witness being interviewed what action to be taken to preserve evidence

Answer 5

a plan must be prepared to preserve and recover all available
physical evidence from the witness, such as fibres, body fluids, glass or other material

Question 6

Who can certify death

Answer 6

qualified medical practitioner or paramedic

Question 7

Items found at the scene which are relevant to the post-mortem examination may need
to be taken to the mortuary or to the pathologist for inspection. The exhibit

Answer 7

must be

properly packaged to avoid contamination, but also be clearly visible

Question 8

When will stripping the body occur

Answer 8

Stripping of the body will take place immediately before the post-mortem examination
commences, but must only be undertaken on the specific direction of the OC
Investigation, generally after a visual examination and collection of evidence from the
clothed body has been completed

Question 9

What points the pathologist should cover

Answer 9

• Records a description of the body, including: height, weight, build, eye colour and hair
• Records the body’s external appearance
• Uses specialist kits for collecting evidence samples where appropriate

Question 10

Are weapons allowed into the PM

Answer 10

To avoid any potential contamination, weapons must not be taken to the mortuary until
after the post-mortem examination has been conducted. The OC Body must maintain the
continuity of any exhibit used in this way.

Question 11

Before being stood down, the FLO should ensure

Answer 11

that victim support services are ongoing,

where this has been taken up by the family.

Question 12

Who takes VIS and what is the time length for VIS

Answer 12

Homicide trained Victim Support volunteers are trained to assist Police by taking Victim
Impact Statements from surviving family members.
The statement must be available for sentencing and should be no older than 28 days at the
time of sentencing

Question 13

Timing of the area canvass

Answer 13

An initial area canvass will normally be conducted when Police first attend the incident. A
formal area canvass will normally follow and re-visits are frequently required to capture
persons who were not present during the earlier canvass enquiries

Question 14

How can OC area canvass ensure that staff morale

Answer 14

The OC Area Canvass should
ensure staff morale remains high and this can be achieved by providing regular feedback on the way canvass enquiries are contributing to the progress of the investigation, together with updates on the progress being made with other phases of the enquiry

Question 15

A detailed master record of ongoing progress should be continually maintained and
updated by the OC Area Canvass, showing:

Answer 15

• which addresses have been visited,
• which occupants interviewed,
• the documentation completed,
• and any relevant comments made.

Question 16

At the conclusion of the area canvass the phase OC must submit a report to the OC Investigation outlining the circumstances of this particular aspect of the investigation.
The report should include;

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

In some cases, the area canvass should be conducted at the same time as the original
offence occurred, this is to

Answer 17

to capture people who regularly pass through that area at that time of
the day, e.g. a homicide of a person in a park in the early hours of the morning.

Question 18

What is a witness

Answer 18

A witness is any person who has information about an alleged offence or offender.

Question 19

Some witnesses may have been so proximate to events that it is likely evidence was
transferred to the witness, from the victim, suspect or from the scene itself. Before a
witness is interviewed what must be done

Answer 19

a plan must be prepared to preserve and recover all available
physical evidence from the witness including DNA, fingerprints, clothes, footwear, fibres,
body fluids, glass or other material.

Question 20

Where a Court order is made to remand the suspect for psychiatric assessment A report must be sent to the Court Registrar or, with the Registrar’s
permission, to the superintendent of a psychiatric hospital or penal institution,
describing:

Answer 20

• a summary of the offence with which the suspect is charged
• the suspect’s previous criminal history
• the suspect’s previous mental history
• the symptoms and duration of the suspect’s current mental illness, if applicable

Question 21

Initial actions

On appointment to the role, the Disclosure Manager must:

Answer 21

• read the Disclosure Managers desk file
• access the current Serious Crime Template downloaded to the local district shared
drive, for use during the investigation
• report to the 2IC to receive a briefing, tasking, establishing what information is and is
not discoverable, and ongoing supervision.

Question 22

The formats used to disclose documents to the defence are

Answer 22

hard copy, electronic

disclosure, or a combination of both

Question 23

The disclosure method selected will depend on the:

Answer 23

• actual and anticipated scale of the investigation
• resources available to the Disclosure Manager
• technical ability of the Disclosure Manager
• investigation file being stored in electronic or hard copy format
• number of persons charged
• scale of the file/amount of material to be disclosed
• sensitivity of material

Question 24

Who is responsible for identifying which documents have to be withheld or have deletions

Answer 24

In consultation with the 2IC the Disclosure Manager will identify documents that may
need to be withheld or have deletions made to them.

Question 25

What is meant by the term chain of custody

Answer 25

It is used to

demonstrate the integrity, and therefore admissibility, of exhibits.

Question 26

What is the chain of custody form

Answer 26

A paper record of any movement(s) of an exhibit

Question 27

In regards to disclosure section 10(4) of the Act provides

Answer 27

provides that disclosure may be supplied in

whatever form, including electronically

Question 28

By maintaining contact with witnesses, police are more likely to become aware of any threats or intimidation and can

Answer 28

Arrange for appropriate action to be taken such as initiating the witness protection program

Question 29

Where applicable, the assistance of specialist advisors should be sought to assist with
cultural issues relating to the victim or others involved in the investigation. This will

Answer 29

assist the progress of the investigation, establish positive relations and avoid the
potential for inadvertent offence being caused

Question 30

What is the purpose of developing a forensic strategy for exhibits

Answer 30

allows the OC Exhibits to prioritise

tasks in line with the direction of the investigation.

Question 31

The two key tasks of any investigation are

Answer 31

Gathering and preserving evidence

Documentation

Question 32

To maintain high standards in the investigation process you must

Answer 32

Have an investigative mindset
Have the ability to apply the appreciation technique
Consider how decisions will look under cross examination
Meticulous attention to detail
Work as a team
Good communication skills

Question 33

The purpose of holding team conferences are

Answer 33

Keep all members up to date
Opportunity to exchange views
2ic opportunity to pass on instructions
Officer in charge to brief the team

Question 34

On appointment the FLO and OC investigation should

Answer 34

Discuss the plan for working with the family. It is essential the FLO establishes the parameters of their role and is clear about the objectives thaey are tasked with

Question 35

Responsibilities of OC Scene

Answer 35

SCENECRABS

Strategy for examination
Control/frees/guard/preserve
Exhibit overseeing
RelevaNt exhibits in court
Experts / photos and fingerprints arranged
communication between scene and OC Investigation
Reconnaissance and reconstruction
Approach - common approach path
Brief staff of duties
Overseeing the crime scene examination

Question 36

What does a scene strategy cover

Answer 36

PARCELS
Placement of hot, warm or cold zones
Any specialists required
Recording system to be used
Contamination protection methods
Exhibit handling
Likelihood of evidence deteriorating
Starting place

Question 37

Objectives of a crime scene examination

Answer 37

DECIEVE IC

Defences excluded
Establish if offence committed
Corroborate witness and victim accounts
Identify the suspect and establish his contact with the scene
Establish offence key elements for basis of enquiry
Verify admissions and confessions
Exonerate innocent
Identify people associate with scene
Corroborate or exclude the other evidence relating to the offence

Question 38

What is a reconnaissance

Answer 38

Is the preliminary or survey made to get an overall picture of the scene without disturbing the evidence

Question 39

Steps of a reconnaissance

Answer 39

Gather information available
Create common approach path
Sketch the scene
Note anything - weather/forensic 
Reconsider scene boundaries
Consider hot/warm cold zones

Question 40

Minimising contamination risks

Answer 40

PRE SOAK NP

Preserve and control the scene
Records of personal attending and examining
Ensure exhibit integrity 
Stepping plates
Obtain elimination foot /fingerprints and DNA
Avoid examining associated scenes
Keep scene activity and seizure records
Use protective clothing
Use new and clean packaging material

Question 41

OC exhibits

Answer 41

REDCREEPS

Receiving exhibits
Ensure exhibit is labelled by finder with exhibit schedule
Deliver exhibit for analysis and examination
Consult with 2IC regarding relevance and further enquires
Record exhibit in exhibit register
Ensure exhibit is uniquely numbered
Ensure security and continuity maintained
Prepare exhibit for court
Securing exhibit