Exhibit Management Flashcards
What is an exhibit?
Any item which comes into the possession of Police during the course of an investigation, whether or not it is eventually tendered in formal evidence.
OC Exhibits
In a homicide investigation, OC Exhibits is recommended to be a qualified detective with experience in:
- mass exhibit handling
- forensic principles
- methods of exhibit recovery
- Approved procedures for packaging and security evidence
- managing contamination and cross contamination issues
OC Exhibits Role
Responsible for establishing and maintaining exhibit management, systems and for maintaining the physical security and continuity of all exhibits. Their duties will culminate in the provision of an accurately recorded exhibit package and the availability of exhibits as required throughout the court process.
They may also conduct an appreciation and facilitate a thorough investigation of every exhibit, to establish the:
- evidential value of each exhibit
- investigative opportunities presented for each exhibit
- further enquiries that are needed
OC Exhibits should only accept an exhibit if:
- exhibit label contains the exhibit number and name of the operation.
- property is correctly packaged and sealed and the exhibit label is visible and secured on the outside of the package.
- any prompt action necessary to preserve the exhibit has been taken, for example, drying wet or bloodstained clothing in an appropriate drying facility.
Forensic Strategy Meetings
Held to determine which exhibit or other forensic examinations are required and the priority of those examinations.
Attending includes OC Investigation, OC Exhibits, Crime Scene Coordinator or OC Scene, anyone else deemed necessary - Pathologist, ESR, Fingerprint officer, OC Body etc
Developing a strategy for examination of exhibits allows the OC Exhibits to prioritise tasks in line with the direction of the investigation. The strategy must be approved by the OC Investigation and continually reviewed throughout the investigation to keep abreast of any developments.
Purpose of a Forensic Examination Meeting is to discuss
- what examinations ESR could conduct on exhibits
- the priority each examination should receive
- whether any further work is needed to assist a reconstruction
- a plan for work to be completed that is required to assist the reconstruction
- an agreed reconstruction of the events relevant to the crime under investigation
Following any Forensic Strategy meeting, the OC Exhibits must record on the exhibits register, all decisions taken about the types of examinations to be conducted and the priority allocated to the examination of each exhibit.
Forwarding an Exhibit for Examination
- Decisions confirmed at Forensic Strategy Meeting
- Record of Exhibit in IMT and PROP
- Ensure OC Investigation has authorised the proposed examination
- Prepare necessary papers for ESR
- All items separately wrapped, parcels are sealed, labelled and numbered, Police form is consistent
- POL143: brief circumstances, purpose of examination, location where item originates, whether any exhibits are damp or require special attention, authorisation of supervisor
- Deliver exhibits
Preparing for Trial
Before commencement of trial, must decide which exhibits are considered relevant, determine the significance of any forensic examinations and establish the most appropriate manner in which exhibits and examination results are to be presented at trial.
The OC Exhibits is responsible for arranging the transportation of exhibits to and from Court, for their security at the venue and for their production, as directed by the Prosecutor.
Chain of Custody
The chain of custody includes every individual who has had custody of an exhibit, from the time it was first discovered until the time it is produced in Court. It is used to demonstrate the integrity, and therefore admissibility, of exhibits.
While an exhibit was under their control, each person with custody of the exhibit must be able to demonstrate:
• when they received custody of the exhibit and from whom
• where and how the exhibit was securely stored
• when, why and how the exhibit was moved from one place to another
• how the exhibit has been treated, safeguarded and preserved
• when and why they transferred custody of an exhibit to another person, and to whom.
Cross Contamination
Trace evidence, e.g. hair, fibres, paint, and blood is readily transferred from one item to another. Trace evidence that attached itself to a significant exhibit during the commission of the crime, becomes significant evidence when it is found. However if the evidence could have been transferred to the exhibit via a third party during the course of the investigation, this represents potential cross-contamination.
Scene Exhibits Officer
Responsible for the custody, security and recovery of exhibits at that particular crime scene. This includes numbering, labelling, packaging, collecting and handling of the exhibits.
Exhibit Register
The Exhibits Register is an electronic document which forms the master record of every
exhibit obtained during an investigation.
The OC Exhibits is responsible for entering information from each Scene Exhibit Schedule
onto the Exhibit Register, where they will also enter details of all exhibit examinations.
To protect the integrity of the electronic Exhibits Register, only the OC Exhibits and typist should have password access to make alterations to it, although every member of the investigation should be able to view it. An Exhibits Register template can be downloaded from the Serious Crime Template.
