Family Liaison in Homicide and Serious Crime Investigation

Question 1

What should an FLO plan consider?

Answer 1

• selection of the FLO and criteria employed for the selection
• exit plan for the FLO
• objectives of the family liaison
• assessing the most appropriate methods of conducting interviews with family members, including the use of specialist interviewers, where appropriate
• information to be released to and withheld from, the family
• requests made by the family which have not been agreed to, and the reasons for this
• complaints made by the family and the OC Investigation’s action to progress and resolve the issues raised
• any member of the family who could be considered a suspect, to enable the OC Investigation to determine whether or not this is the case
• liaison with Victim Support and other support services.

Question 2

What does the term ‘Family’ encompass?

Answer 2

The term ‘family’:
• includes partners, parents, siblings, children, guardians, whänau and any others who have had a direct and close relationship with the victim
• includes ‘chosen’ family
• should reflect the victim’s culture and lifestyle.

Question 3

What must the OC Investigation review if the suspect is within the family?

Answer 3

• the FLO’s welfare and safety
• increased monitoring of the FLO’s work and interaction with the family
• the level of information disclosure to the FLO and, in turn, the family
• the process by which any intelligence that arises from FLO contact with the family will be managed
• the need for the FLO to be clear in their interactions with the family
• the importance of fully documenting all contact and interactions with the family
• the possibility of deploying a more experienced FLO if appropriate
• the deployment of a deputy FLO for corroboration issues in addition to supporting the principal FLO
• not using the FLO in any search or arrest of a family member
• investigative or evidential impact of deployment
• whether or not the FLO will reside with the family. This may be an option in cases of kidnap for ransom where Police negotiators are in contact with the suspect. Such a
deployment must only be undertaken after a meticulous consideration of the safety of the FLO.

Question 4

Why should the FLO identify the cultural origins of the victim’s family?

Answer 4

The FLO should identify the cultural origins of the victim’s family and ensure they are familiar with relevant cultural beliefs and protocols, to enhance relations with the family and to contribute to the victim profile.

Question 5

Before meeting the family, which should occur as soon as possible, the FLO must:

Answer 5

• liaise closely with the OC Investigation regarding parameters of information to be shared with and/or held back from the family
• familiarise themselves with the enquiry
• familiarise themselves with all information established concerning the family, including known family composition or dynamics, cultural and lifestyle considerations, religious
beliefs and communication requirements, e.g. language or disability
• familiarise themselves with available information and intelligence which could impact on the liaison role, such as previous Police involvement with the victim or family
• establish what contact the family has had with Police since the incident/death
• establish what information has been given to the family
• establish what information concerning the incident is already in the public domain.

Question 6

Victim Impact Statements:

Answer 6

The statement must be available for sentencing and should be no older than 28 days at the time of sentencing.
Homicide trained Victim Support volunteers are trained to assist Police by taking Victim Impact Statements from surviving family members.