Homicide and Serious Crime Victims Flashcards
1
Q
Three key elements of homicide
A
Victim, suspect, location
2
Q
Responsibilities of OC Body
A
- Ensure death has been certified
- Maintain security and continuity of body, samples and exhibit
- Secure and guard body, body samples and exhibits relating to body
- Note and records observation relating to the body
- Note details of medical staff dealing with victim
- Record what actions have been taken by any party in respect of the body
- Establish if the body has been moved or disturbed
- Ensure body is photographed in situ
- Arrange formal identification
- Obtain historic medical records
- Attend post mortem
3
Q
Key scene attendance considerations
A
- Photographs/videos
- Actions of first responders
- Identity of the body
- History of the body - medical, drug use
- Timeframes relating to the body - last sighting etc
- Scope and priorities of the investigation
- Any special evidential expectations and requirements
- Environmental factors at scene
4
Q
Factors to consider prior to body removal
A
- Notification to and response from the coroner
- Views of pathologist, ESR scientist and crown or other relevant experts
- Requirement of any examination or action needed before removal based on known facts
- Best method and route to minimize contamination
- Supervision of removal
- Chain of custody from scene to mortuary
- Safe custody of exhibits
- Family/cultural considerations
- Standing operating procedures for what and how items of protective clothing must be used
5
Q
What samples may be required to be taken at the scene
A
Decided upon consultation between experts. Advisable where evidence would otherwise be lost or contaminated such as:
- Larvae and insects
- Potential fingerprint evidence from the skin on the body/clothing
- DNA swabs
- Hairs, fibers, glass, paint, other fragments
- Firearm residue
6
Q
Actions for recording details and removing the body
A
- Thoroughly record body position by sketch plan and direct photograph to take photos. Consider videoing.
- Consider marking position of the body before moving e.g measuring distance from at least two fixtures
- Note limb position, clothing, wounds, lucidity, blood trails, rigor mortis
- Consider health and safety risks
- Cover hands, feet, and head with paper bags secured with tape to prevent loss of trace evidence.
- Ensure clothing is not contaminated
- Wrap body in plastic and place in body bag
- Search underneath where the body lay
- Retain all materials used to move the body
- Wait for OC investigation approval before moving
- Arrange undertakes to transport body to mortuary and accompany. Ensure sterile bag is used.
7
Q
Appreciation factors to consider prior to post-mortem
A
- ID of body at the mortuary
- Authority from coroner to conduct post-Mortem
- Safe custody of exhibits
- Determine who should attend
- Appropriate resources at PM e.g exhibit bags
- Family/cultural considerations
- Any likely requirement for subsequent post mortem
- Any specific need for examination or sampling based on known facts
8
Q
Purpose of a post mortem
A
- Determining where possible the mode and time of death
- Establishing how injuries/events at the the scene may have contributed toward the death
- Determine nature and size of any weapon used
- Determine approximate height and stature of suspect
- Provide area of interest for subsequent interviews
- Negating possible defences
- ID victim of this has not been established
9
Q
Who may attend a post mortem
A
- Pathologist and any pathologist assisting
- Coroner
- Doctor who treated the deceased
- A doctor representing the interests of a suspect
- Any other doctor or trainee doctor
- Police
- Anyone else authorized by the coroner
10
Q
Police who should attend PM
A
- OC investigation
- OC body and possiblY OC exhibits for PM if required
- Photographer
- SOCO/fingerprint officer if required
11
Q
Other experts OC investigation may consult regarding conduct of PM
A
- Odontologist
- Biologist
- Toxicologist
- Ballistics expert
- Entomologist
- DVI
- Anthropologist
12
Q
Equipment for PM
A
- MEK
- Toxicology kit
- Body label
- An exhibit schedule
- Completed Pol47
- Deceased person notification
- Deceased person identification
- Packaging supplies
- Protective clothing
- Scene photos
- Exhibit number range from OC investigation
- Firearms residue kit if relevant
13
Q
Actions on arrival at mortuary
A
- Ensure mortuary staff do not wash the body
- Ensure body is labeled and secured in fridge
- Retain any key used to secure body until required for post mortem
- Ensure body remains in present condition until commencement of PM
- Arrange formal ID if required
14
Q
Other methods of victim identification
A
- Fingerprints
- DNA profiling
- Dental records
- Eye exam records
- Personal effects
- Facial reconstruction
- Other specific identifying features (scars, birth marks, prosthetics) obtained through medical records
15
Q
Information available through skeletal remains
A
- Whether bones are human
- Age, gender, height and race of the person
