Homicide and Serious Crime Victims

Question 1

Who appoints the role of OC Body?

Answer 1

The OC Body is appointed by the OC Investigation and reports to the Crime Scene Coordinator (where one is appointed), otherwise to the OC Scene.

Question 2

What re the three key elements of a homicide?

Answer 2

Victim
Suspect
Location

Question 3

What are the responsibilities of OC Body?

Answer 3

The OC Body must:
• ensure death has been certified by a doctor or qualified paramedic using a Deceased Person Certificate (POL 265)
• maintain security and continuity of the body, samples and exhibits, from the scene to the commencement of the post-mortem examination
• secure and guard the body, body samples and any exhibits relating to the body, with dignity and respect
• note and record observations relating to the body
• note details of medical staff or others who have attended the 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 the body is photographed ‘in situ’ and consider using video recording
• on authority of the OC Investigation, arrange transportation of the body to the mortuary
• complete sudden death procedures
• on authority of OC investigation, arrange formal identification of the body using form Pol 265A
• obtain historical medial records of victim for information of pathologist
• attend the post-mortem examination with the OC Investigation, or deputy appointed by them, and:
- attend the briefing of the pathologist by the OC Investigation, and contribute as required
- ensure the Police photographer takes appropriate and sufficient photographs of the body before clothing is removed, again after the body is disrobed, and during
the post-mortem examination. The pathologist will direct the photographer.
- preserve evidence from the body
- record, label and secure all samples and exhibits associated with the body
- arrange for fingerprints and palm prints to be taken, if required
• attend the debrief of the pathologist and record the findings, on direction of the OC and/or pathologist
• ensure all cultural responsibilities have been addressed.

Question 4

Establishing if the body has been removed:

Answer 4

It is critical that crime scene attendees quickly establish what movement has taken place and that the OC Body
record this information as soon as possible.

Question 5

Where the body has been disturbed:

Answer 5

• Do not attempt to restore the scene to its original unchanged condition.
• Make enquiries to enable the original unchanged scene to be subsequently reconstructed and photographed, if required.

Question 6

What must be obtained prior to moving a body from the scene?

Answer 6

Approval from OC Investigation must be obtained prior to the body being removed from the scene.

Question 7

What to record in your notes prior to moving the body?

Answer 7

Record all details of the position of the body including:
• Position of the limbs.
• Appearance of the body.
• Wounds and clothing.
• Direction of any trails of blood present on the body.
• Lividity, if present (coloration of skin due to gravitational movement of blood).
• Extent of any rigor mortis present.

Question 8

What is the primary role of OC Body during the Post Mortem examination?

Answer 8

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 9

What is the purpose of a Post Mortem Examination?

Answer 9

The primary reason for conducting a post-mortem examination is to establish the cause of death. The pathologist’s findings will provide further information to drive the investigation which may include:
• determing where possible, the mode and time of death
• establishing how injuries and/or events at the scene may have contributed toward the death of the victim
• determining the nature and size of any weapon(s) used
• determining the approximate height and stature of the suspect
• providing areas of interest for subsequent interviews of witnesses and/or suspects
• negating possible defences
• identifying the victim, if identity has not been established.

Question 10

Who may attend a Post Mortem?

Answer 10

• the pathologist
• the Coroner
• any other pathologist assisting (if authorised by the Coroner)
• a doctor, nurse or funeral director representing the deceased (if authorised by the Coroner)
• a doctor representing the interests of a suspect who has or may be charged in relation to the death (if authorised by the Coroner)
• any other doctor or trainee doctor (if authorised by the Coroner)
• Police
• any other person authorised by a Coroner.

Question 11

Police who should attend the post-mortem are:

Answer 11

• the OC investigation
• the OC Body
• a member specifically designated as exhibits officer for post-mortem, if required
• Police photographer
• SOCO or fingerprint officer, if required.

Question 12

Particular consideration should be given to seeking authority from the Coroner for the following parties to attend the post-mortem:

Answer 12

• ESR forensic scientist

* Crown Solicitor.

Question 13

Equipment to take to post-mortem?

Answer 13

• MEK examination kit
• Toxicology kit
• Body label
• A notebook and pens for use solely during the post-mortem
• A Scene Exhibit Schedule form - a template is included in the Serious Crime Template
• Copy of completed Pol 47
• Pol 265 Deceased Person Certificate
• Pol 265A Deceased Person Identification
• Exhibit packaging supplies including envelopes, tape, exhibit labels and numerous paper exhibit sacks of various sizes
• Protective clothing i.e. paper suit, gloves and carbon filter masks
• Photographs from the scene, if available, showing the body ‘in situ’
• A range of available exhibit numbers for the post-mortem, obtained from the OC Exhibits
• Pre-printed exhibit labels bearing the allocated exhibits numbers, if available
• Roll of brown paper, for placing layers between folds of any bloodstained clothing
• Firearms residue kit, if relevant.

Question 14

In the case of homicide or serious crime involving a Mäori victim, an Iwi liaison Officer must be engaged as early as possible. This will:

Answer 14

Support an understanding and awareness of the Mäori traditions, protocol and beliefs, and enhance relations between the investigation, family of the deceased and the Mäori community.

Question 15

What advice to give to person making formal identification?

Answer 15

It is important those carrying out the formal identification are fully informed what is required of them and what they should expect to see when they view the deceased,
particularly after a post-mortem examination has taken place.

Question 16

Methods of identification?

Answer 16

• fingerprints
• DNA profiling (identification results take 3-4 weeks or 48 hours for urgent analysis)
• dental records, available through the Region Forensic Dentistry Advisor
• eye examination records
• medical examination records, including scars, birth marks, implants or prosthetics, xrays, surgical wounds, amputations and tattoos
• personal effects
• facial reconstruction.

Question 17

What information can a pathologist provide when skeletal remains are found?

Answer 17

• Whether the remains are actually bones.
• Whether the bones are human.
• The age, gender, height and race of the person.

Question 18

What must OC body be mindful of when it comes to note taking at a post-mortem?

Answer 18

The OC Body must not make any notes of discussions concerning the post-mortem examination, unless specifically directed to by the OC Investigation and/or the pathologist.

Question 19

When can the body be stripped?

Answer 19

Stripping of the body will take place immediately before the post-mortem examination commences, but must only be undertaken on the specific direction of the OC Investigation, generally after a visual examination and collection of evidence from the clothed body has been completed.

Question 20

What photographs should be taken at the post-mortem?

Answer 20

• the body, before it is stripped
• the body, after it is stripped
• close up photographs of any wounds, marks, internal injuries and unusual features.

These photographs must include a measuring scale placed in proximity to the feature being photographed, to make a permanent record of the dimensions of the feature.

Question 21

Responsibilities of OC Body when it comes to exhibits:

Answer 21

The OC Body is responsible for recording, labelling, packaging, sealing and securing all physical exhibits relating to the body, including samples taken during the post-mortem. All exhibits must be packaged and sealed before leaving the mortuary, without exception and will be recorded in a Scene Exhibits Schedule.

Question 22

What happens at the post-mortem debrief?

Answer 22

At the conclusion of the examination the OC Investigation will fully debrief the pathologist with the OC Body present. During the debrief, the OC Body will record the pathologist’s findings as well as the cause of death, but only at the direction of the OC Investigation and/or the pathologist.

Question 23

What must be handed to OC exhibits at the conclusion of the post-mortem?

Answer 23

The OC Body must hand all exhibits to the OC Exhibits, in order to maintain an unbroken chain of exhibit continuity and security. They should also provide the OC Exhibits with:
• the post-mortem Scene Exhibit Schedule
• copy of the OC Body’s notebook entries
• formal statement.

Question 24

The OC Body must prepare the Sudden Death (1S) file and submit as soon as possible, so that a coronial inquest can be opened. The file must include:

Answer 24

• statement relating to the victim’s formal identification
• copy of the Police form 47 (report for the coroner) or, in the case of a child under the age of 2 years, a Police form 47A (Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy)
• copy of Deceased Person Certificate (Police form 265)
• copy of Deceased Person Identification (Police form 265A).