Exhibit Management In Homicide Or Serious Crime Investigation Flashcards
Oc exhibits
Appointment
The person appointed Oc exhibits should be suitably (training and experience)
In Homicide it should be a qualified detective with experience in
- mass exhibit handling
- forensic principles
- methods of exhibit recovery
- approved procedures for packaging and security of evidence
- managing contamination and cross-contamination issues
- use of standardised documentation as contained in IMT or PROP
Purpose
Oc Exhibits
OC exhibits is 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.
Role of OC exhibits
Smaller investigations
In smaller investigations the OC Exhibits along with OC investigation may conduct an appreciation and facilitate a thorough interrogation of every exhibit to establish-
- Evidential value of each exhibit
- Investigate opportunities presented by each exhibit
- Further enquires that are needed
S.O.P.
OC exhibits responsibilities
OC exhibits is responsible for establishing required standards for the recovery, handling, labelling, storage, submission to experts, presentation at court and disposal of exhibits, and ensuring these processes are completed in accordance with the requirements set by the OC investigation and the IMT application. The OC exhibits must communicate required standards to all investigation team members, usually at investigation conferences.
Safe storage of exhibits
Whether sealed or not, no exhibit should be taken into the investigation head quarters. A secure room should be available for exclusive use by OC Exhibits.
Examination of exhibits
The OC exhibits maintains an awareness of the significance of each exhibit and what examinations may be available. The OC exhibits will determine, plan, and record the examination and interrogation of every exhibit and establish its relevance to the investigation.
Developing a forensic strategy
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
Forensic strategy meetings
Topics covered
Topics covered during a forensic strategy meeting may include-
- What examinations ESR and others could conduct in exhibits
- The priority each examination should receive
- Whether any further work is needed to assist a reconstruction
- A plan for further work to be completed that is required to assist the reconstruction
- An agreed reconstruction of the events relevant to the crime under investigation
Following the meeting OC exhibits records on the exhibits register all decisions made about types of examinations to be conducted and the priority allocated to the examination of each exhibit
Submission of exhibits for examination
Process
- Ensure exhibit examination decisions are confirmed through the forensic strategy meeting process.
- Record in IMT or PROP all decisions taken about types/ priority of examinations
- Ensure OC investigation has authorised the proposed examination
- Prepare the necessary papers for the ESR or other expert ie POL143
- Ensure any exhibits identified for forensic examination are prepared before being delivered
- Deliver exhibits for scientific examination promptly to avoid deterioration and loss of evidence
- Inform the expert undertaking a scientific examination if it is no longer required
Results of exhibit examinations
The Oc exhibits must update the exhibits register with the results of exhibit examinations.
The OC exhibits should bring such information to the attention of the OC investigation and not assume they are aware of it by any other means.
Where the OC exhibits becomes aware that further enquiries are required in relation to a particular exhibit, this must be highlighted to the 2IC so that follow up enquiries can be initiated.
Preparing for trial
Before the commencement of the trial the OC investigation must decide what exhibits are considered relevant, determining the significance of any forensic examination and establish the most appropriate manner in which exhibits and examination results are to be presented at trial.
OC exhibits is responsible for arranging the transportation of exhibits to and from court, for their security at the venue and for their production l, as directed by the prosecutor.
Producing exhibits in court
OC exhibits is responsible for preparing the exhibits for production at court. Must be in a manner which
- clearly demonstrates the evidential value of the exhibits
- avoids any risk of physical injury, disease, accident, contamination or damage
A schedule of court exhibits should be prepared to manage the significant number of exhibits. This exhibit itself becomes an exhibit.
Duties after trial
After trial and after the expiry of the appeal period, the OC exhibits should return all exhibits to the Police secure exhibit storage area. OC investigation determines what is retained and manner of disposal of all other exhibits.
The chain of custody
Chain of custody includes every person who has had custody of an exhibit since it was first discovered.
Individuals must be able to demonstrate-
- When they received custody of the exhibit and from who
- Where and how the exhibit was stored
- When, why and how the exhibit was moved from one place to another
- How the exhibit has been treated, safe guarded and preserved
- When and why they transferred custody of an exhibit to another person and whom.
