Family liaison in homicide and serious crime investigation

Question 1

what is the family liaison plan and what should be recorded or considered

Answer 1

the family liaison plan is a dynamic process which must be reviewed in consultation with the family liaison officer at regular intervals. the plan should be recorded and consider:

• selection of the FLO and criteria employed for selection
• exit plan for the FLO
• objectives of the family liaison
• assessing the most appropriate methods of conducting interviews with the family member, including the use of specialist interviewers where appropriate
• information to be released and withheld from the family
• requests made by the family which have not bee agreed to and the reasons for this
• complaints made by the family and the oc investigations actions to progress and resolve the issues raised
• any member of the family who could be considered a suspect
• liaison with victim support and other support services

Question 2

what does the term family include

Answer 2

• includes partners, parents, siblings, children, guardians, whanau and any others who have had a direct and close relationship with the victim
• includes chosen family
• should reflect the victims culture and lifestyle

Question 3

what should the FLO do with regards to the cultural origins of the victim

Answer 3

the flo should identify the cultural origins of the victim 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 4

upon appointment, what is the flo responsible for

Answer 4

the flo will normally be responsible for profiling the victim, preparing a family tree and gathering all relevant information from the family. this may include in conjunction with the oc body, taking statements to identify the victim

Question 5

how can the victim express the impact a crime has had on them

Answer 5

victims should be given the opportunity to make a written statement about the impact the crime has had on them, through a victim impact statement

the statement must be available for sentencing and be no older than 28 days at the time of the sentencing

homicide trained victim support volunteers are trained to assist police by taking victim impact statements from surviving family members