Exhibits Flashcards
What is an exhibit
Any item which comes into the possession of police during the course of an investigation
Who should be appointed OC exhibits in a homicide
Qualified detective 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 of standardised documentation as contained in serious crime template
OC exhibits is responsible for what
Establishing and maintaining exhibit management systems and for maintaining the physical security and continuity of all exhibits
In smaller investigations conduct an appreciation of every exhibit to establish the
- evidential value of each exhibit
- investigative opportunities presented by each exhibit
- further enquiries hat are needed
OC exhibits is responsible for establishing required standards for the what of exhibits
Handling Recovery Labelling Storage Submission to experts Presentation at court Disposal of exhibits
OC exhibits must update the OC investigation and 2IC with relevant information relating to……
- what exhibits have been found and their movements
- results of any exhibit examinations
- whether any further enquiries are required
In the first instance OC exhibits should only accept an exhibit if…….
- exhibit label contains the exhibit number and operation name. who found, description, time, date, location recorded on scene exhibit schedule
- property is correctly packaged and sealed, exhibit label visible
- any prompt action necessary to preserve the exhibit has been taken (drying wet/bloody clothes)
Who attends a forensic strategy meeting
OC investigation
2IC
OC exhibits
Crime scene co-ordinator/OC scene
Anyone else deemed necessary by OC investigation: Pathologist Forensic scientist ESR Fingerprint officer Scene of crime officer OC body Other relevant experts
What 5 topics are covered in a forensic strategy meeting
- what examinations ESR and other could conduct on exhibits
- priority each examination should receive
- whether any further work is need to assist a reconstruction
- plan for any work to be completed required to assist the reconstruction
- agreed reconstruction of the events relevant to the crime under investigation
When forwarding an exhibit for examination what 7 steps need to be followed
- examination decisions are confirmed through forensic strategy meeting
- record all decisions taken about the type of exam and priority in the exhibits register
- OC investigation has authorised examination
- complete POL143
- exhibits are prepared before delivery (separately bagged, sealed, labelled, listed on POL143, items in appropriate condition)
Info on POL143
- circumstances
- purpose of exam
- locations where item originates from
- whether exhibits are damp/require special attention
- authorisation by appropriate supervisor
- deliver promptly to avoid deterioration and loss of evidence
- inform expert if it is no longer required
What must be displayed in photographs taken in a police photographic studio
The exhibit number
What are the 5 roles and responsibilities of OC exhibits
- Chain of custody
- Allowing inspection of exhibits by defence counsel
- Transportation of exhibits to/from court, their security at court, production at court
- Preparing exhibits for production at court
- Disposal of exhibits after trial
Producing exhibits in court must be conducted in a manner which……
- clearly demonstrates the evidential value of the exhibits (eg. mounting)
- avoids risk of physical injury, disease, accident, contamination or damage
Who must the OC exhibits liaise with prior to destroying exhibits after trial
OC investigation and Crown
What is the purpose of chain of custody
To demonstrate the integrity and admissibility of exhibits
Each person with custody of the exhibit must be able to demonstrate what 5 things
- when they received custody of it and from who
- where an how the exhibit was securely stored
- when, why, how the exhibit was moved from one place to another
- how the exhibit has been treated, safeguarded, preserved
- when an why they transferred custody to another person and to who
The exhibit numbering system should be simple, efficient and provide what 5 key attributes
- be consistent
- allow delegation of exhibit numbers to staff who will use them
- cope with multiple scenes
- be compatible with technology, allowing searching by exhibit numbers
- encompass all exhibits (MEK, blood samples, documents)
Exhibit number ranges
10,000 - admin 15,000 - victim 20,000 - witnesses 25,000 - area canvas 30,000 - scenes 70,000 - suspects
If an exhibit is unsealed the opening officer must do what
Reseal it together with the original packaging and seal before returning
Must record actions taken and by who
What is an appointed Scene exhibit officer responsible for
Custody, security and recovery of exhibits at that particular scene.
Includes numbering, labelling, packaging, collecting and handling exhibits
What 4 ways are exhibits documented
- scene exhibit schedule - records exhibits at particular scene
- exhibit register - electronic master record of all exhibits in investigation
- chain of custody form - paper record of any movements of an exhibit after the time OC exhibits has taken custody
- formal written statement - OC exhibits, detailing their actions taken to manage exhibits during investigation
What should be included on a 268
- exhibit numbers submitted
- name of operation
- attached copy of scene exhibit schedule
What is a scene exhibit schedule and what information should be recorded on it for each exhibit
A list of all exhibits relating to a specific place of origin/scene
- exhibit number
- description of exhibit
- operation name
- location of scene
- exact location where exhibit was found at the scene
- name of finder
- date/time seized
- relevant signatures
What is an exhibit register
Electronic document which forms the master record of every exhibit obtained during an investigation
Included details of all exhibit examinations
What is a chain of custody form
Used to record the chain of custody for an exhibit. Must be completed when an exhibit is transferred from the custody of OC exhibits to another person
OC exhibits check list
DURING INVESTIGATION
- conduct OC exhibit duties in accordance with the “purpose” of an OC exhibits
- print blank scene exhibit schedule and register from the serious crime template
- establish standard operating procedures
- establish 5 digit exhibit number ranges
- provide exhibit number range, standard operating procedures, blank scene exhibit schedule to OC of an investigation phase on scene
- establish secure area for exhibit storage
- take charge of any exhibits from various phases of the investigation
- obtain original scene exhibit schedules from officers in charge of phases
- complete 268
- commence exhibit register
- update OC investigation
- attend all team conferences
- arrange forensic strategy meetings
- complete examination strategy documents
- update exhibit register with forensic strategy decisions
- complete POL143
- transport exhibits for examination
- prepare separate chain of custody from for each exhibit
- inform expert when exam no longer required
BEFORE PROSECUTION
- prepare court schedule of exhibits
- prepare exhibits for court
- prepare FWS
AFTER PROSECUTION
23. collect exhibits from court, dispose after expiry of appeal period
