Homicide and Serious Crime Investigation

Question 1

What are the initial responsibilities to a Homicide or Serious Crime?

O/C Scene

BRUCCCE PP

Answer 1

.BRIEFING staff on their duties

RECONNAISSANCE - Conduct a reconnaissance to gain overall picture of scene and test possible reconstructions

UPLIFTING, inspecting and ensuring delivery of labelled exhibits to the exhibit recorder

CONTROLLING, freezing and preserving the scene and ensuring it is safe

COMMUNICATION - Providing communication link between the scene and O/C Investigation

COMMON - Establishing a common approach path between police cordon and scene’s focal point

COORDINATING and overseeing the crime scene examination

ENSURING scene is photographed, fingerprinted and examined by specialists before searched

PLANNING a strategy for forensic examination

PROVING relevant exhibits in court

Question 2

What is the Initial Action to preserve a Scene?

VAWSEIPO

Answer 2

VICTIM - Identify and locate the victim(s).

APPRECIATION - Make an initial appreciation of the incident. Assess personal risk and then preserve the lives of others.

WITNESSES - Locate and contain witnesses.

SCENE - Preserve the scene (e.g. set boundaries).

EXHIBITS - Note evidence and preserve any that would otherwise be lost or destroyed.

INGREDIENTS - Consider whether the ingredients of the alleged offence have been established.

POWERS - Identify what powers are available
and consider whether to execute them.

OFFENDERS - Identify and apprehend suspect(s).

Question 3

What are the Benefits of Appreciation Technique?

Answer 3

R.I.I.M.E.E.E

REDUCES uncertainty

INFORMS all Police what they are expected to achieve

INCREASES the chances of success, i.e the investigative aims/objectives being met

MANAGES risk

ESTABLISHES a sequence of activities to be carried out

ELIMINATES duplication

ENSURES nothing is overlooked

EFFECTIVE use of resources

Question 4

What are the Responsibilities of O/C Body?

Answer 4

The O/C Body MUST
(MCR)

MAINTAIN custody and security of the body, sample and exhibits
COMPLETE the sudden death procedures
REMAIN with the body and accompany it to the mortuary

The O/C Body MUST FIND OUT……….

The body has been moved or disturbed
The body has been identified
The death has been certified

BEFORE MOVING THE BODY
SLAPP

SKETCH plan is prepared and notes have been taking recording:
LIVIDITY, if any and the extent of rigor mortis
AUTHORITY from OC Investigation to move the body
POSITION of the body, the limbs, bodys appearance, wounds and clothing
PHOTOGRAPHED - scene
POSITION of the body has been outlined with chalk, crayon or some other material.

If the body was disturbed…….
Do not attempt to restore the scene to its original condition
Make enquiries to enbale original scene to be reconstructed and photo later if necessary

Arrange for……….(MINC)
MEDICAL History to be obtained for the pathologist
IDENTIFY the body - a suitable person to ID body
NEXT of Kin to be informed
CERTIFY - A doctor to certify the death, if this has not been done

SEARCHING AND MOVING THE BODY

Accompany the O/C Investigation, Scene and necessary specialist staff during the prelim exam of the body to preserve any evidence that may be lost when the body is moved

TO ENSURE THAT NO EVIDENCE IS LOST….(CEC)

COVER hands and feet with plastic bags, wrap body in a plastic sheet and place in a body bag
ENSURE clothing on the body is not contaminated through contact with foreign objects
CAREFULLY search under the body

Question 5

O/C Exhibits

1. The O/C Exhibits is responsible for establishing required standards for the:…………………..
2. What are the Responsibilities and Duties of O/C Exhibits?

PREP REDS REC

Answer 5

The OC Exhibits is responsible for establishing required standards for the:

1. RECOVERY
2. LABELLING
3. STORAGE
4. SUBMISSION TO EXPERTS
5. PRESENTATION AT COURT
6. 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 required standards to all investigation team members, usually at investigation conferences.
*************
PREP REDS REC

PRODUCING relevant exhibits in court.
RECEIVING the exhibits
ENSURING they are labelled by finder and accompanied by a 268
PREPARING them for production in court

RECORDING the exhibit movements
ENSURING that exhibits are uniquely numbered
DELIVERING the exhibits for examination or analysis
SECURING the exhibits

RECORDING the exhibits in the Exhibit Register
ENSURING that the continuity of evidence is maintained
CONSULTING the 2I/C on the relevance of exhibits and indicating the further 4Qs required in relation to any exhibit

Question 6

What is the Role and Function of Family Liaison Officer?

Answer 6

The role of the Family Liaison Officer (FLO) involves the day-to-day management of the partnership between the family of the deceased and the Police investigation.

The primary function of an FLO is that of an investigator and not a support person.

However, in performing this role, the FLO must also offer, facilitate and co-ordinate support that addresses the needs of the family.

Question 7

Explain a Family Liaison Plan

Answer 7

The plan should be recorded and consider:

· 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 8

What are the Responsibilities of File Manager?

Question/List 1: 5 points

Question/List 2: ADAMS ACE AO

Answer 8

5 AREAS

1. HELP to establish and Maintain the Op HQs
2. COMPILE and Maintain the file content
3. BACK UP the computer file regularly
4. SECURE the file and computer back up
5. Maintain a file of all NEWSPAPER clippings relating to the investigation
   * **********

ADAMS ACE AO

A Assist with establishing and maintaining the Investigation Headquarters
D Document Management System outlined in the Serious Crime Template
A Assist the 2IC with the Identification and recording of evidential material
M Manage the electronic and physical files relating to the investigation
S Support the 2IC by reading all documents for the purpose of highlighting important information to the 2IC
A Assist with the preparation of the prosecution file
C Complete a synopsis of all documents received, excluding documents relating to covert policing activities.
E Ensure a flow of info throughout the investigation
A Assist with management of the trial
O Operate the paper flow and associated structure in accordance with the Serious Crime Template

Question 9

What are the police responsibilities to witnesses?

Answer 9

MAINTAIN contact with witnesses to ensure they are available for court

ATTEND - Ensure that the witnesses attend court and see to their welfare

ADVISE the 2 IC Investigation of any witnesses seeking name suppression, so they can inform the crown prosecutor

REPORT any instances of threats, intimidation/interference with witnesses, so that appropriate action can be taken

INTERPRETERS - Arrange court interpreters

NOK - Ensure victims NOK are informed of the progress of the enquiry & pending court case

EXPLAIN court procedures to witnesses

REFRESH - allow witnesses to refresh their memories from their statements

SUMMONS witnesses to prelim hearing and arrange their attendance at the trial.

Question 10

What are the responsibilities of OC Area Canvas? (Key points for team briefings)

Answer 10

KEY POINTS FOR TEAM BRIEFINGS

1. SUMMARISE the situation and detail the duties and areas of responsibility of each canvass team member
2. THOROUGHNESS - Emphasise the need for THOROUGHNESS and that EVERY PERSON in every household and visitors must be seen personally.
3. GUIDE - Stress that the questionnaire is ONLY A GUIDE to ensure the questions are asked, but should be regarded as flexible in that information supplied could lead to other questions.
4. FWS - Advise that evidence of possible probative value must be obtained in a formal written statement rather than notebook form. Note: The questionnaire must be endorsed, if a statement is taken.
5. VISITING - Consider visiting the canvass area to record every address including flats and vacant sections and then reconcile these premises with the map.
6. COMPLETED - Ensure all forms are completed, and actioned as outlined.
7. COMPLETED - Reconcile completed locations with the master copy to avoid duplication.
8. Advise staff on:
   - what ACTION to take if they believe they have IDENTIFIED the suspect

• what action to take if they locate ITEMS of EVIDENTIAL value
• what action to take if individuals REFUSE to assist
• how to complete the CORRESPONDENCE flow
• what INFO can be DISCLOSED during the area canvass (i.e. information in media releases or otherwise already in the public domain)
• what information MUST NOT BE DISCLOSED.

Question 11

EXHIBIT MANAGEMENT PROCESS

What is OC Exhibits responsibilities in relation to:

1. Forensic Strategy Meerings
2. Submission of Exhibits for examination.

Answer 11

1. Forensic Strategy meetings are held to determine which exhibit or other forensic examinations are required and the priority of those examinations
2. SUBMISSION OF EXHIBITS FOR EXAMINATION

1 - Ensure exhibit examination decisions are CONFIRMED through the Forensic Strategy meeting process.

2 - RECORD in the Exhibits Register all decisions taken about the TYPES of examinations to be conducted and the PRIORITY allocated to each examination.

3 - Ensure the OC Investigation has AUTHORISED the proposed examination.

4 - Prepare the necessary PAPERS for the ESR or other expert, for example the Police 143 forms.

5 - Ensure any exhibits IDENTIFIED for forensic examination are prepared BEFORE being delivered, specifically:
· all items are separately wrapped
· all parcels are sealed
· all items or their packages are labelled and numbered
· a list of all items is attached to the Police Form 143
· the Police Form 143 is consistent with the labels on the items
· items are in an appropriate condition, for example, clothing is dry and blood samples are refrigerated.

The OC Exhibits must ensure the Police Form 143 contains sufficient information, including:
· brief CIRCUMSTANCES of the case
· purpose(s) of the examination
· LOCATION where each item originates from e.g. from a particular scene, victim, witness or suspect
· whether any exhibits are damp or REQUIE SPECIAL ATTENTION
· authorisation by the appropriate supervisor.

6 - DELIVER exhibits for scientific examination promptly to avoid deterioration and loss of evidence.

7- INFORM the EXPERT undertaking a scientific examination if it is no longer required.

Question 12

INITIAL ACTION

What must you do ‘Before attending the Scene’

Answer 12

• Remember decisions must be driven by the circumstances, not just by the requirements of a checklist.
• Obtain all available information.
• Consider requesting the complainant to assist/observe, if safe to do so.
• Make an appreciation of the incident.
• Develop a plan to progress the inquiry, considering the relevant risks.

Remember: Freeze, Control, Guard and Preserve.
• Assess own safety and then preserve lives of others.
• Identify and apprehend suspect(s).
• Contain and control witnesses.
• Preserve scene.

Question 13

INITIAL ACTION

What must you consider ‘Enroute to scene’

Answer 13

• Look out for the suspect.
• Note and consider stopping any vehicles attempting to leave the scene.
• Prioritise tasks and assign duties, e.g. VOWES, i.e. Victim, Offender, Witnesses, Exhibits and (immediate) Scene.

Question 14

INITIAL ACTION

What must you consider ‘On arrival at scene’

Answer 14

• Log arrival obtain acknowledgement.
• Gather infor and conduct a risk assessment / appreciation.
• Ensure the safety of yourself, colleagues, victim and others.
• Give sitrep/Provide a SFP
• Establish a single clear Common path into and out of scene
• Record relevant info

Question 15

INITIAL ACTION

What should you do to ‘Control people at the scene’?

Answer 15

Control people at the scene to gain control of the scene
• Take control of the scene.
• Exercise warrantless powers if appropriate, pursuant to the Search and Surveillance Act 2012.
• Clear the scene of persons and if possible, contain them nearby.
• Identify and locate the complainant and conduct a preliminary interview. Refer: Investigative Interviewing Witness Guide.
• Arrange a detailed interview and statement.

Question 16

INITIAL ACTION

What should you do if you find the victim - If injured?

Answer 16

• Commence first aid and call an ambulance as required.
• Conduct a preliminary interview.
• If victim is expected to die, consider taking a statement from the victim, whether signed by them or not. Should the victim subsequently die, their statement may be admissible as hearsay evidence under Section 18(1) of the Evidence Act 2006, provided the court is satisfied that the reliability of the statement can be demonstrated, as required by Section 18(1)(a).
• Treat the victim as a scene and do not move them unnecessarily.
• Take DNA swabs from the victim’s skin, if appropriate.
• Record and photograph any injuries.
• If victim is taken to hospital, Police must: Accompany the victim to hospital, ascertain victim’s current medical condition, preserve clothing, debrief relevant medical staff and update the OC Investigation.

Question 17

INITIAL ACTION

What should you do if you find the victim - If dead?

Answer 17

Victim - If apparently dead
• Call ambulance. Attempt resuscitation if appropriate (note original body position).
• Obtain confirmation of life extinct, unless death is obvious.
• Establish victim’s identity.
• Do not move the body. Record any previous movements.
• Record exhibits, body position, lividity (gravitational settling of blood), injuries & clothes.
• Make a sketch plan/photographs.
• Give early update to the OC Investigation.

Question 18

INITIAL ACTION

What is your initial action ‘at the scene’?

Answer 18

Scene
Identify and preserve the scene (freeze, control, guard and preserve):
• Carry out an initial assessment of the scene.
• Use a Common Approach Path.
• Clear the scene.
• Arrange and brief scene guards. Ensure Crime Scene Logs are used.
• Establish adequate cordon parameters.
• If no immediate life is at risk, consider using stepping plates.
• Protect fragile exhibits and any exhibits exposed to the element.
• Call for assistance/resources as necessary.
• Make appropriate records, i.e. who, what, where, when, why, how.
• Sketch plan / initial photographs of the scene.
• Make accurate records and report them to the OC Investigation as soon as possible.

Question 19

INITIAL ACTION

When you arrive at the scene there are witnessess. What should you do?

Answer 19

• Contain, Isolate and seek witnesses’ co-operation.
• Prioritise interviews by investigative importance.
• Conduct scoping interviews.
• Photograph witnesses/injurie.
• Consider whether witnesses are ‘scenes’.

Question 20

INITIAL ACTION

When you arrive at the scene suspects have been identified. What should you do?

Answer 20

• Identify routes suspect used to arrive/leave
• Isolate from other people.
• Ask suspect to remain & co-operate.

If the suspect refuses to co-operate

• consider whether grounds exist to arrest, and
• consider if it is necessary to caution the suspect.
• If he is arrested caution the suspect.
• Consider searching the suspect pursuant to the Search and Surveillance Act 2012.
• Note the suspect’s appearance, demeanour and condition.
• Record comments made by suspect.
• Consider a preliminary interview where appropriate, and return to a Police station as soon as possible.

Question 21

INITIAL ACTION

Before you leave the scene what must you consider?

Answer 21

• Brief the OC Investigation before handing on responsibility for the scene.
• Cover what’s been done, what is being done, and what needs to be done.
• Provide Comms Centre with a sitrep.
• Update the OC Investigation; to include details of any alterations made to the scene.
• All initial attending staff submit:
• COPIES OF NOTEBOOK entries
• COPY OF FOOTWEAR if entered scene AND before completing duty that day.
• FWS should be submitted rather than jobsheets, to limit unnecessary duplication and delays.

Question 22

Explain the process of ‘stripping the body at Mortuary’

Answer 22

1. The body must ONLY be stripped in the PRESENCE of the pathologist.
2. REMOVE the body from the secure mortuary fridge and assist mortuary staff to take the body into the post-mortem examination room.
3. REMOVE the body from the body bag, causing MINIMAL DISTURBANCE disturbance to the body.
4. EXHIBITS - Take possession of the body bag and any sheets or wrappings used to transport the body, as exhibits.
5. If necessary, DIRECT the Police photographer to take additional photographs to ensure that appropriate and SUFFICIENT PHOTOS OF THE BODY are taken BEFORE clothing is removed, and again after the body is disrobed. The PATHOLOGIST will LEAD direction of the photographer.
6. REMOVE items of CLOTHING from the body. Mortuary technicians may assist to removing clothing, but only under the supervision and direction of the OC Body.

· CUTTING clothing off the body SHOULD BE AVOIDED, but may be necessary in some cases. If unavoidable, CUT in areas where EVIDENCE IS LEAST is least likely to be present.
· Search clothing POCKETS and make an inventory of each of the pocket contents.

7. Make an INVENTORY of clothing and possessions, as each item is removed.
8. LABEL each item of clothing and each possession.
9. SEAL each item in a separate paper BAG or CONTAINER.
10. Ensure exhibits DO NOT CROSS-CONTAMINATE each other by coming into contact with one other.
11. MAINTAIN SECURITY AND CONTINUITY of the body and exhibits taken from the body, until the post-mortem examination commences.
12. In cases involving OBVIOUS HEAD TRAUMA, before blood and debris is washed from the body, particularly the head hair, consider placing a FINE SIEVE in the mortuary table drain hole to COLLECT trace evidence that may have been transferred