Homicide and Serious Crime Victims Flashcards

1
Q

What are the responsibilities of the O/C Body?

A
  • Ensure death has been certified by a doctor
  • Secure and Guard
  • Record observations
  • Record what actions have been taken regarding the body
  • Note details of medical staff
  • Sudden death procedures
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2
Q

Key areas to consider when deciding whether to bring in experts:

A
  • Photographs
  • Actions of first responders
  • ID of body
  • Timeframes relating to finding body
  • Environmental factors
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3
Q

Factors to consider when deciding when to move the body:

A
  • Views of the pathologist
  • Consultation with other relevant experts
  • Requirement for any examination
  • Best method and route
  • Chain of custody
  • Cultural considerations
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4
Q

What samples could you take from the body that could otherwise be lost or contaminated when the body is moved?

A
  • Larvae and insects
  • Fingerprint evidence
  • DNA swabs
  • Fibres
  • Firearm residue sample
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5
Q

11 steps when removing a body from a scene:

A
  1. Record position by sketch and get photos
  2. Consider marking position
  3. Record all details of position
  4. Consider health risks
  5. Cover hands and feet with paper bags
  6. Ensure clothing on the body is not contaminated
  7. Wrap the body in plastic sheets and place in body bag
  8. Carefully search underneath where the body lay
  9. Retain as exhibits, all sheets, bags or other materials used to transport
  10. Obtain approval from OC investigation to remove body from the scene
  11. Arrange contracted undertaker to remove body
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6
Q

Appreciation prior to post-mortem

A
  • ID of the body at the mortuary
  • Authority from the coroner to conduct post-mortem
  • Consultation with pathologist
  • Safe custody of exhibits
  • Identifying who should attend
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6
Q

Primary role of O/C body during a post-mortem

A

Observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body

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7
Q

Examples of pathologist findings which may drive further investigation:

A
  • Mode and time of death
  • How injuries may have contributed towards death
  • Nature and size of weapon used
  • Height and stature of the suspect
  • Negating defences
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8
Q

Who may attend a post mortem?

A
  • The pathologist
  • The coroner
  • Doctor who treated the deceased
  • Doctor, nurse or funeral director representing the deceased
  • Police
  • Anyone else authorised by the coroner
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9
Q

Police who should attend the post mortem:

A
  • O/C investigation
  • O/C body
  • Exhibits officer (if required)
  • Police photographer
  • SOCO
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10
Q

Other experts who may be consulted regarding post mortem:

A
  • DVI
  • Toxicologist
  • Biologist
  • Ballistics expert
  • Crime scene examiner
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11
Q

Police equipment the O/C body should take to a post mortem:

A
  • MEK exam kit
  • Toxicology kit
  • Body label
  • Notebook and pens
  • Exhibit schedule
  • Pol 47
  • Firearms residue kit
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12
Q

5 steps for O/C body on arrival to mortuary:

A
  1. Ensure mortuary staff do not wash the body
  2. Ensure the body is labelled and secured in fridge
  3. Retain any key used to secure the body
  4. Ensure the body remains in its present condition
  5. Arrange formal ID
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13
Q

Methods of identification:

A
  • Fingerprints
  • DNA profiling
  • Dental records
  • Eye exam records
  • Medical examination records
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14
Q

What information can a pathologist give when skeletal remains are found:

A
  • whether the remains are actually bones
  • whether they’re human
  • the age, gender, height and race
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15
Q

What photographs should you take at the post mortem?

A
  • the body, before it is stripped
  • the body, after it is stripped
  • close up photographs of any wounds, marks, internal injuries
16
Q

Points the pathologist should cover during a post mortem:

A
  • Records a description of the body
  • Records the external appearance
  • Uses specialist kits
17
Q

Examples of exhibits you might seize during a post mortem:

A
  • Ballistic projectiles
  • Foreign items such as hairs, fibres, blood or semen
  • Ligatures
18
Q

What documents must the 1S file include?

A
  • Statement relating to formal ID
  • Pol 47
  • Deceased person certificate
  • Deceased person ID
19
Q

What samples might be taken during a post mortem?

A
  • Blood
  • Stomach contents
  • Head and pubic hair
  • Liver
  • Lungs
  • Bile
20
Q

12 steps to how the body should be stripped at the mortuary

A
  1. Stripped only in presence of pathologist
  2. Remove from fridge
  3. Remove from bag
  4. Seize and secure body bag
  5. Get photographer to take additional photographs
  6. Remove clothing and possessions
  7. Inventory
  8. Label
  9. Seal in separate bag
  10. Ensure no cross contamination
  11. Maintain security of body and exhibits
  12. Consider trace evidence
21
Q

How can you respect Maori culture during a homicide?

A

An iwi liaison officer must be engaged as early as possible. This will support an understanding and awareness of traditions and protocols.