exhibit management in homicide or serious crime investigations

Question 1

appointment

Answer 1

it is recommended that the oc exhibits in a homicide or serious crime investigation is a qualified detective, preferably with previous 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 standardised documentation as contained in the serious crime template

the oc exhibits should not be assigned any other responsibilities as their duties will fully engage them

Question 2

the oc exhibits and the oc investigation may conduct an appreciation and facilitate a thorough interrogation of every exhibit to establish what

Answer 2

• the evidential value of each exhibit
• investigative opportunities presented by each exhibit
• further enquiries that are needed

Question 3

what is the responsibility of the oc exhibits

Answer 3

the 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 serious crime template. the oc exhibits must communicate the required standards to all investigation team members

Question 4

safe storage of exhibits

Answer 4

whether sealed or not, no exhibits should be taken into the investigation headquarters. a secure room should be available for exclusive use by the oc exhibits

Question 5

examination of exhibits

Answer 5

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

Question 6

developing a forensic strategy

Answer 6

developing a forensic strategy for examination of exhibits allows 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 any developments

Question 7

what topics are covered in a forensic strategy meeting

Answer 7

• what examination ESR or others could conduct on exhibits
• the priority each examination should receive
• whether any further 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 events relevant to the crime under investigation

Question 8

what must the oc exhibits do following any forensic strategy meeting

Answer 8

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

Question 9

results of exhibit examinations

Answer 9

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 that 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

Question 10

preparing for trial

Answer 10

before commencement of trial the oc investigation in conjunction with oc exhibits and other relevant investigation team members 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 transportation of the exhibits to and from court, for their security at the venue and for their production, as directed by the prosecutor

Question 11

chain of custody

Answer 11

• includes every individual who has had custody of the exhibit from discovery until court
• demonstrates the integrity and therefore admissibility of exhibits
• normally achieved by referring to the scene exhibit schedule, the standard operating procedures for management of exhibits during investigation, or chain of custody forms
• chain of custody form can also be used to record physical location of where exhibit is stored

Question 12

while an exhibit was under their control, each person must be able to demonstrate

Answer 12

• 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, safe guarded and preserved
• when and why they transferred custody of an exhibit to another person, and to whom

this is how you maintain the “chain of evidence”

Question 13

exhibit register

Answer 13

• an electronic document which forms the master record of every exhibit obtained during an investigation
• oc exhibits is responsible for entering each information from scene exhibit schedule to exhibit register, where they also enter details of all exhibit examinations
• to protect the integrity of the exhibits register, only the oc exhibits and typist should have password access to make alterations to it, although every member of investigation should be able to view it