Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Serious Crime Investigation CIB 014 > Homicide and Serious Crime Victims > Flashcards

Homicide and Serious Crime Victims Flashcards

1
Q

Three Key Elements of a Homicide

A
  • Location
  • Victim
  • Suspect

Understanding the victim, their lifestyle and routine may help to establish the reason for their death and likely identity of the suspect.

Forensic research confirms “every contact leaves a trace”. Body must be treated as a scene.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Responsibility of the OC Body

A

The OC body must:

Medical

  • Ensure death has been certified by a doctor or qualified medical practitioner. Deceased person certificate (pol265)
  • Note details of medical staff or others who have attended the victim.

Scene

  • Secure and guard the body, and body samples and any exhibits related to the body with dignity and respect
  • Note and record observations relating to the body
  • Establish if body has been moved or disturbed
  • Record what actions have been taken by any party in relation to the body
  • Ensure body is photographed in situ and consider video recording .

Movement

  • On authority of OC Investigation, arrange transport of body to mortuary
  • Maintain security and continuity of the body, samples and exhibits from the scene to the start of the post mortem.

Key Documents

  • Complete sudden death procedures
  • On authority of OC Investigation, arrange for formal identification of body
  • Obtain historical medical records of the victim for the pathologist.

Post-Mortem Examination (Attend with OC Investigation)

  • Attend briefing of pathologist by the OC Investigation
  • Ensure police photographer takes photos at all stages of post-mortem, they will be directed by pathologist
  • Arrange for fingerprints and palm prints as required
  • Preserve evidence from body
  • Record, label and secure all samples and exhibits associated with the body.

Debrief

  • Attend debrief of pathologist and record findings, on direction of OC or pathologist
  • Ensure cultural responsibilities have been addressed.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Crime Scene Attendance

A

OC Investigation will determine whether the parties will view the body in situ to gain an understanding of the interpretation of injuries:

  • Pathologist (local if on-call is unavailable)
  • Crown
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Briefing Experts and Interested Parties

A

Not all experts will attend the scene but they may still be consulted or even asked to attend the post mortem.

Information obtained in order to brief Experts:

  • Identity of the body
  • History of the body - including medical history, drugs found at the scene, action taken or developments since the discovery of the body
  • Timeframes relating to the finding of the body, last sighting and other significant times that may impact upon time of death
  • Actions of the first responders
  • Photographs and/or videos taken at the scene
  • Environmental factors. e.g. weather, temperature, heating appliance, pollen influences.
  • Scope and priorities of the investigation
  • Any special evidential expectations and requirements
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Appreciation Prior to Body Removal

A

In consultation with the OC Scene and OC Body, the following factors should be considered in the appreciation:

  • Notification to and response from the Coroner
  • Views of the pathologist, ESR scientist and Crown Solicitor
  • Consultation with other relevant experts
  • Requirement for any examination or actions needed prior to removal
  • Best method and route for the body removal, to minimise the contamination of the scene or the body, e.g. using stepping plates
  • Supervision of the body removal
  • Chain of custody of the body from the scene to the mortuary
  • Safe custody of the exhibits
  • Family and cultural considerations
  • Standard Operating Procedures: protective clothing.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Establishing if the Body has been moved

A

Not uncommon for the body to be moved during initial stages of Police and Emergency Services attendance.

Movement of body must be established and OC Body to record this information asap.

Where a body has been disturbed:

  • Do not attempt to restore the scene to it’s original unchanged condition
  • Make enquiries to enable the original unchanged scene to be subsequently reconstructed and photographed, if required.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Samples at the Scene

A

Specimens should not be taken from the body unless consultation with:

  • ESR staff
  • Pathologist
  • OC Investigation (decision maker)
  • OC Scene
  • Fingerprint officer.

Taking samples is advisable where evidence would otherwise be lost or contaminated by moving the body such as:

  • Larvae and insects
  • Potential fingerprint evidence from the skin on the body of the victim and/or items of clothing worn by the body
  • DNA swabs
  • Extraneous items such as loose hair, fibres, glass, paint or other fragments
  • Firearm residue samples.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Recording Details and Removing the Body

A
  1. Record position of the body by sketch plan and direct a Police Photographer to take photographs. Consider videos and other imagine techniques.
  2. Consider marking and recording position of body prior to moving it. Measure distance from at least two nearby fixed features.
  3. Record all details of the position of the body including:
    - Position of limbs
    - Appearance of body
    - Wounds and clothing
    - Directions of any trails of blood present on the body
    - Lividity
    - Extent if any rigour mortis.
  4. IMPORTANT - Consider health risks presented by handling the body.
  5. Cover hands, feet, head with paper bags, secure with tape to prevent trace evidence being lost when the body is moved. Not so tight to create new marks. Rubber bands and other tight fasteners must not be used - false ligature marks. Use plastic if limbs are wet. Open wound may shed blood into the bag during transport. Liaise with experts to preserve evidence.
  6. Ensure clothing on the body is not contaminated by contact with foreign objects.
  7. Wrap the body in a plastic sheet and place it in a body bag.
  8. Carefully search underneath where the body lay.
  9. Retain, as exhibits, all sheets, bags or other materials used to transport the body.
  10. Obtain approval from OC Investigation to move the body.
  11. When directed by the OC Investigation, arrange a contracted undertaker to remove the body to the mortuary. Ensure security and continuity of the body and exhibits until post mortem. Ensure undertaker is using a body bag that is sterile.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Appreciation Prior to Post Mortem

A

Factors considered in the Appreciation by OC Investigation and OC Body:

  • Identification of the body at the mortuary
  • Authority from the Coroner to conduct post-mortem
  • Consultation with pathologist
  • Safe custody of exhibits
  • Identify who should attend the post-mortem
  • Requirement for any specific need for examination or sampling based on known facts of the case
  • Appropriate resources at post-mortem, e.g. exhibit packaging and taking photographs
  • Cultural considerations
  • Requirement for second or subsequent post-mortem.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Post Mortem Examination

Primary Role of OC Body

A

To observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body, in a structural and methodical manner.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Purpose of a Post Mortem

A

Primary reason is to establish the cause of death.

Findings may also include:

  • Mode and time of death
  • How injuries and/or events at the scene ma have contributed toward the death of the victim
  • Nature and size of weapons used
  • Approximate heigh and stature of the suspect
  • Areas of interest for subsequent interviews with witnesses and suspects
  • Negate possible defences
  • Identify the victim.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Attendance at Post Mortem

A
  • Pathologist
  • Coroner
  • Doctor who treated deceased
  • Doctor/nurse/funeral director representing deceased (if authorised by coroner)
  • Doctor representing suspect (if authorised by coroner)
  • Any other doctor or trainer doctor (if authorised by coroner).

Police:

  • OC Investigation
  • OC Body
  • Exhibits Officer
  • Photographer
  • SOCO in Fingerprints Officer.

Experts: (if authorised by coroner)

  • ESR
  • Crown Solicitor.

Legal Representative of Suspect: (if authorised by coroner)

  • Must be informed of date, time and place
  • Must be advised they require authority from Coroner to attend.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Use of other Experts

A
  • Odontologist (Teeth)
  • Biologist
  • Medical Illustrator
  • Toxicologist
  • Ballistics Expert
  • Entomologist
  • Anthropologist
  • DVI.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Police Equipment for Post Mortem

A
  • MEK
  • Toxicology Kit
  • Body Label
  • Notebook/Pens
  • Pol47
  • Pol265 Deceased Person Certificate
  • Pol265A Deceased Person Identification
  • Exhibits Kit
  • Protective Clothing
  • Photographs of the scene
  • Firearms Residue Kit.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Taking Exhibits to the Mortuary

A

Exhibits must be properly packaged and clearly visible.

Weapons must not be taken to the mortuary until after the post mortem to prevent contamination.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Cultural Issues

A

Use of Specialist Advisors to assist with Cultural Issues.

Maori:

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 the Maori tradition, protocol and beliefs, and enhance relations between the investigation, family of deceased and the Maori community.

17
Q

On Arrival at the Mortuary

A
  1. Ensure mortuary staff do not wash 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 post mortem.
  4. Ensure the body remains in its present condition until the commencement of the post-mortem.
  5. Arrange for formal identification of the body (should occur prior to post mortem unless contamination issues arise).
18
Q

Methods of Identification

A

For mutilated or decomposed bodies, consider the following methods in consultation with the Coroner:

  • Fingerprints
  • DNA Profiling
  • Dental Records
  • Eye Examination Records
  • Medical Examination Records e.g. birth marks, scars implants, tattoos, amputation, surgical wounds
  • Facial Reconstruction
  • Personal Effects.
19
Q

Information Through Skeletal Remains

A

When skeletal remains are found, a pathologist, with the assistance of a forensic anthropologist, can usually provide information such as:

  • Whether remains are actually bones
  • Whether the bones are human
  • The age, gender, height, race of the person.
20
Q

Briefing the Pathologist

A

OC Investigation and OC Body.

Pathologist must be supplied with the relevant information and material:

  • Pol47
  • MEK
  • Toxicology Kit
  • Medical Records of the Deceased
  • Comprehensive photographs and videos at the scene.
21
Q

Taking Notes

A

The OC body must not take notes of the discussion concerning the post mortem, unless specifically directed by the OC Investigation or the Pathologist.

22
Q

Stripping the Body

A

OC Body is responsible for securing all exhibits taken from the body. OC Investigation directs the stripping of the body.

  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 body from 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 exhibits.
  5. Pathologist will direct Police photographer to take photos through each stage of the post mortem examination. Before and after the clothing is removed.
  6. Remove items of clothing. Cutting clothing off should be avoided, if necessary, cut clothing in areas where evidence is least likely to be present. Search clothing pockets and make inventory of each of the pocket’s 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.
  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 are washed from the body, particularly head hair, consider placing a fine sieve in the mortuary table drain hole to collect trace evidence.
23
Q

Photographing the Body

A
  • The body, before and after it is stripped
  • Close up photographs of wounds, marks, internal injuries, unusual features. These photographs must include a measuring scale placed in proximity to the feature being photographed.
24
Q

Exhibits

A

OC body is responsible for recording, labelling, packaging, sealing and securing all exhibits relating to the body, including samples taken. All exhibits must be packages and sealed prior to leaving the mortuary and will be recorded in the exhibit schedule.

25
Q

Action after the Post Mortem

A

OC Body must take possession of all exhibits, samples and specialist kits. Wet or damp exhibits must be unsealed and dried in an controlled environment. e.g. Police Drying Room.

OC Body must hand all exhibits to OC Exhibits, in order to provide an unbroken chain of evidence. They should also provide OC Exhibits with:

  • Post mortem Scene Exhibit Schedule
  • Copy of the OC Body’s notebook entries
  • Formal Statement

Toxicology Kits must e delivered to ESR as soon as possible to prevent decay.

26
Q

Preparing the Sudden Death File

A

OC Body must prepare the Sudden Death File and submit it as soon as possible to the Coronial Inquest can be opened. The file must include:

  • Statement relating to Victim’s Formal Identification
  • Pol47 or Pol47A (Infants)
  • Deceased Person’s Certificate Pol265
  • Deceased Person’s Identification Pol265A.

Serious Crime Investigation CIB 014 (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions