Exhibit Management Flashcards
It is reccomended that OC exhibits is a qualifed detective, preferably with previous experience in:
- Mass exhibit handling
- Forensic principals
- Methods of exhibits recovery
- Approved procedures for packaging and security of evidence
- Managing contamination and cross-contamination issues
- Use of standard documentatoin as contained in IMT and PROP
What is the purpose of OC exhibits?
- OC Exhibits is responsible for establishing and maintaining exhibit management systems and for maintainig the physical security and continuity of all exhibits.
- Their duties will culminate in the provision of an accuratley recorded exhibit package and the availability of exhibits as required throughoutthe court process
In smaller investigations, what may OC exhibits do in conjuncture with OC investigations?
OC exhibits may also conduct an appreciation and facilitate a thorough interrogation of every exhibit to establish the
- Evidential value of each exhibit
- Investigate opportunities presented by each exhibit
- Further enquiries that are needed
The OC exhibits has a responsibilities to maintain an awareness of the significance of each exhibit and what examinations may be available. What other specific matters regarding each exhibit must the OC exhibits determine?
- All exihibits are fully examined in accordance with forensic strategy meeting
- Maintain awareness of the significance of each exhibit and what examinations may be available
- Determine, plan and record the examination and interrogation or every exhibit and establish its relevance to the investigation
Described four of the responsibilities of the OC exhibits in a serious crime investigation?
- Establish and maintain exhibit management systems
- Maintaining the physical security continuity of all exhibits
- Conducting an appreciation into every exhibit to establish the evidential value of each exhibit, investigative opportunities presented by each exhibit and further enquiries that are needed
- Establishing the required standards for recovery, handling, labelling, storage, submission to experts, presenation at court and disposal of exhibits
- The OC exhibits is responsible for arranging the transportation of exhibits to and from court, for their security at the venue and their production, as directed by the prosecutor
Why is it important to develope a forensic strategy for the examination of exhibits?
It allows the OC exhibit 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.
What action should OC exhibt take when further enquiries are required?
Where the OC exhibits becomes aware that further enquiries are required in relation to a particular exihibt, it must be highlighted to the 2IC so that follow up enquiries can be initated.
Describe two of the topics to be covered during a forensic strategy meeting?
- What examinations ESR and others could conduct on exhibits
- The priority each examination should receive
- Whether any future work is needed to assist a reconstruction
- A plan for any work to be completed that is required to assist the reconstruction
- An agreed reconstruction of the event relevant to crime under investigation
Describe chain of custody and state the purpose
The chain of custody is a represenation of the connection between every individual who has had custody of an exhibit, accounting for its location and integrity from the time it was discovered until the time it is produced in court. It details where property leaves or entered someones custody, the reason for being moved, where it was stored and how it was handled. This is done via maintaining such a record on either IMT or PROP.
- Its purpose is to demonstrate the integrity, and therefore admissibility, of exhibits
What to update the OC investigation on as OC exihibt
- What exhibits have been found and their movements
- Any examination results
- Whether any further enquiries are required
As OC exhibits attend all investigation team and :
- Make the exhibits register available
- Update other regarding exhibits which have been found and the results of expert examinations conducted
What is the purpose of a forensic strategy meeting?
To determine which exhibit or other forensic examinations are required and the priority of those examinations.
