Homicide And Serious Crime Victims

Question 1

Three key elements of a homicide

Answer 1

Location / Victim / Suspect

Question 2

Responsibilities of OC Body

Answer 2

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8. On authority of the OC investigation, arrange TRANSPORT of the body to the mortuary.
9. Note and record OBSERVATIONS relating to the body.
10. Ensure the body has been PHOTOGRAPHED in situ and consider using video recording.
11. On authority of OC investigation arrange formal IDENTIFICATION of the body using Pol 265A.
12. Ensure all CULTURAL responsibilities have been addressed.
13. Note details of MEDICAL staff who have attended the victim.
14. Record what ACTIONS have been taken by any party in respect of any body.
15. Attend POST-MORTEM examination with the OC investigation. Throughout preserve evidence. Record and label all exhibits. Arrange for finger and palm prints and ensure appropriate and sufficient photographs.
16. Establish if the body has been MOVED or disturbed.
17. Maintain SECURITY and continuity of the body, samples and exhibits, from scene to commencement of post Mortem.
18. Ensure DEATH certificate has been certified using a deceased person certificate
19. Obtain historical MEDICAL records of victim for pathologists information.
20. Complete SUDDEN death procedures.
21. Attend DEBRIEF of the pathologist and record findings.

Question 3

Establishing if the body has been moved

Answer 3

It is not uncommon for a body to be moved during the initial stages of emergency response. However-
#Do not attempt to recreate the scene to its original position.
#make Enquiries to enable the original unchanged scene to be subsequently reconstructed and photographed if required.

Question 4

Samples at the scene

Answer 4

Specimens should not be taken from the body unless on direction of OC investigation in consultation with others (ESR, pathologist, OC scene, fingerprint officer)
This would be done where samples would be lost ie larvae and insects, potential fingerprints on skin or clothing, DNA swabs, fibres or hairs, firearm residue

Question 5

Recording details and removing the body

Answer 5

1. Record the position of the body (sketch, photographs, consider video.
2. Consider marking the the position of the body before removing it (consult with OC Scene)
3. Record all details of the position of the body (appearance, wounds, clothing, lividity, blood trails, rigor mortis, position of limbs.
4. Consider what health risks may be present by handling the body.
5. Cover hands feet and head with paper bags and secure with wide tape, without taping the skin. Use plastic bags of paper bags aren’t appropriate. This preserves trace evidence.
6. Ensure clothing in the body is not contaminated by contact with foreign objects.
7. Wrap the body in a plastic sheet and place in a body bag.
8. Carefully search underneath where the body lay.
9. Retain as exhibits all sheets bags and other material used to transport the body.
10. Obtain approval from the OC investigation to remove the body from the scene.
11. When directed by OC investigation arrange a contracted undertaker to remove the body to the mortuary. Ensure you are able to account for the security and continuity of the body as an exhibit at all times. Ensure a sterile body bag is used.

Question 6

Post mortem Examination

Answer 6

The primary role of the OC body during a post mortem is to Observe document and deal with exhibits associated with the body, in a structured methodical manner.

Question 7

Purpose of a post mortem

Answer 7

Primarily to establish cause of death. However further information may include-

1. Mode and time of death
2. How injuries or events at the scene contributed to the death
3. Determining the nature and size of any weapons
4. Determining the approximate height and stature of the suspect
5. Providing areas of interest for subsequent interviews of witnesses and suspects.
6. Negating possible defences
7. identifying the victim if not yet established

Question 8

Attendance at a post mortem

Answer 8

Who should attend?
OC investigation/ OC Body/ a designated exhibits officer if required/ police photographer/ SOCO or fingerprint officer if required

Who may attend?
Pathologist
Coroner
Assisting pathologist (if authorised by crown)
A doctor who treated the deceased
A doctor/nurse/ funeral director representing the deceased (if authorised by the crown)
Any other doctor or trainer doctor (if authorised by the crown)
Police
Any other person authorised by the crown

Question 9

Other persons attending Post Mortem

Answer 9

The OC investigation must consider other experts and value they can offer. With authority of the coroner consideration should be given to ESR forensic scientist and Crown Solicitor

Question 10

Maori Culture

Answer 10

In the case of homicide or serious crime involving A Maori victim an Iwi liaison
Officer must be engaged as early as possible. This will support an understanding and awareness of Maori traditions, protocol and beliefs and enhance relations between the investigation, family of the deceased and the Maori community.

Question 11

On arrival at the mortuary

Answer 11

The OC Body must ensure-

1. Staff do not mash the body
2. Ensure the body is labelled and secured in the secure mortuary fridge
3. Retain any key used to secure the body until it is required for the post mortem
4. Ensure the body remains in present condition until commencement of the post-mortem
5. Arrange formal Identification of the body.

Question 12

Formal identification

Answer 12

OC body is responsible for arranging on direction of OC investigation. This should occur prior to post-mortem if practical.

Question 13

Methods of formal identification

Answer 13

Where identity cannot be established consider the following methods-

1. Fingerprint
2. DNA profiling
3. Dental records
4. Eye examination records
5. Medical examination records (scars/birth marks/ tattoos/ x-rays/ surgical wounds/ prosthetics)
6. Personal effects.
7. Facial recognition

Question 14

Information through skeletal remains

Answer 14

1. Human remains or not.
2. Age/gender/ height and race
3. Whether the remains are actually bones

Question 15

Stripping the body

Answer 15

OC body is responsible for securing all exhibits taken from the body.
The body will be stripped immediately before the post-mortem examination commences on specific direction of the OC investigation.

Question 16

Stripping the body process

Answer 16

1. The body must only be stripped in the presence of the pathologist.
2. Remove the body from the secure mortuary fridge. Assist mortuary staff to take the body to examination room.
3. Remove the body from the body bag, causing minimal disturbance to the body.
4. Take possession of the body bag and any sheets or wrappings used to transport the body as an exhibit.
5. If necessary direct the police photographer to take additional photographs.
6. Remove items of clothing from the body. Mortuary technicians may assist but only under supervision and direction of OC body.
7. Make an inventory of clothing and possessions as each item is removed.
8. Label each item of clothing and possession.
9. Seal each item in a seperate bag or container.
10. Ensure exhibits do not cross-contaminate by coming into contact with each other.
11. Maintain security and continuity of the body and exhibits taken from the body until the post-mortem examination commenced.
12. In cases involving obvious head trauma consider using a fine sieve before blood and debris is washed away, to collect trace evidence from a weapon for later comparison.

Question 17

Photograph the body

Answer 17

1. Before it is stripped
2. After it is stripped.
3. Close ups of wounds and injuries.

Question 18

Finger printing the body

Answer 18

The OC body is responsible for ensuring this happens where required.
This should be conducted at the conclusion of the examination or once the pathologist has finished examining the hands.

Question 19

Exhibits (post mortem)

Answer 19

The OC body is responsible for recording, labelling, packing, sealing and securing (RLPSS) all physical exhibits relating to the body.

Question 20

After post-mortem

Answer 20

OC body takes possession of all exhibits, samples and specialist kits.
These are handed to OC exhibits to maintain an unbroken chain of custody.

Also provide scene exhibit schedule, notebook entries amd formal statement

Question 21

1S file

Answer 21

OC body must prepare the 1s file and submit ASAP iof a coronial inquest to be opened.

Must include;

1. STX relating to Victims formal identity.
2. Pol47 (report for coroner)
3. Pol265 deceased person certificate
4. Pol265a deceased person identification

Question 22

Release of the body

Answer 22

It is the responsibility of the OC investigation to confirm post-mortem is concluded and that the body is no longer required.
The coroner must be requested to make an order to release the body to next of kin.
Once the order is obtained family must be advised as soon as possible.
Police must inform the family if tissue samples are taken.