HOMICIDE AND SERIOUS CRIME VICTIMS - Exhibit Management

Question 1

APPOINTMENT:

In homicide and other serious crime investigations, the person appointed to the role of O/C Exhibits should be suitably qualified in terms of training and relevant experience.

In a homicide investigation it is recommended that the O/C Exhibits is a qualified Detective, preferably with previous experience in:

Answer 1

• Mass exhibit handling
• Forensic principles
• Methods of exhibit recovery
• Approved procedures for packaging and security of evidence

Question 2

THE ROLE OF OC EXHIBITS IS FLEXIBLE, DEPENDING ON THE SCALE OF THE INVESTIGATION:

In smaller investigations the O/C Exhibits (in conjunction with the O/C Investigation) may also conduct an appreciation and facilitate a thorough interrogation of every exhibit, to establish the?

Answer 2

• Evidential value of each exhibit
• Investigative opportunities presented by each exhibit
• Further enquiries that are needed.

Question 3

Safe Storage of Exhibits?

Answer 3

o The exhibit label contains the exhibit number
o The name of the operation
o Other details relating to exhibit description, details of the person finding it, time, date and location are recorded on the scene exhibit schedule

Question 4

Forensic Strategy meetings:

Forensic Strategy meetings are held to determine which exhibit or other forensic examinations are required and the priority of those examinations.
Topics covered during a Forensic Strategy meeting may include?

Answer 4

• What examinations ESR and others could conduct on exhibits.
• The priority each examination should receive.
• Whether any further work is needed to assist a reconstruction.
• A plan for any work to be completed that is required to assist the reconstruction.
• An agreed reconstruction of the events relevant to the crime under investigation

Question 5

What to do with Results of Exhibit Examinations?

Answer 5

• The OC Exhibits must update the Exhibits Register with the results of exhibit examinations.
• The OC Exhibits should bring such information to the attention of the OC Investigation and not assume that they are aware of it by any other means.

Where the OC Exhibits becomes aware that further enquiries are required in relation to a particular exhibit, this must be highlighted to the 2IC so that follow-up enquiries can be initiated.

Question 6

BULLY *What to do in relation to Preparing for a Trial re: Exhibits?

Answer 6

Before the commencement of the trial, the OC Investigation (in conjunction with the OC Exhibits and other relevant investigation team members) must decide which exhibits are considered relevant, determine the significance of any forensic examinations and establish the most appropriate manner in which exhibits and examination results are to be presented at trial.

The OC Exhibits is responsible for arranging the transportation of exhibits to and from Court, for their security at the venue and for their production, as directed by the Prosecutor.

Question 7

BULLY *Producing exhibits in Court:

The O/C Exhibits is responsible for preparing the exhibits for production at Court.

This must be conducted in a manner which?

Answer 7

• Clearly demonstrates the evidential value of the exhibits, eg. by mounting clothes on a mannequin or board
• Avoids any risk of physical injury, disease, accident, contamination or damage.

Prosecutions of serious crimes normally involve significant numbers of exhibits.

Therefore, a schedule of Court exhibits should be prepared which will itself become an exhibit. This schedule is a valuable asset to the OC Exhibits as well as to all other parties involved in the hearing as it enables them to follow the history of individual exhibits.

Question 8

BULLY List 4 of 5 things in order to ensure that the chain of evidence for an exhibit can be proven in court?

Answer 8

1. When and whom they received custody of exhibit
2. Where and how the exhibit was secured
3. When, why and how the exhibit was moved from one place to another
4. How the exhibit has been treated, safeguarded and preserved
5. When, why and to whom they transferred custody of any exhibit

Question 9

How does a Exhibit Register work?

Answer 9

• The Exhibits Register is an electronic document which forms the master record of every exhibit obtained during an investigation.
• The OC Exhibits is responsible for entering information from each Scene Exhibit Schedule onto the Exhibit Register, where they will also enter details of all exhibit examinations.
• To protect the integrity of the electronic Exhibits Register, only the OC Exhibits and typist should have password access to make alterations to it, although every member of the investigation should be able to view it. An Exhibits Register template can be downloaded from the Serious Crime Template.

Question 10

BULLY - Who makes the decision as to what exhibits are to be prepared and produced at trial?

Answer 10

o Before the commencement of the trial the OC investigation (in conjunction with OC Exhibits) must decide which exhibits are considered relevant

Question 11

What other specific matters regarding each exhibit must OC exhibits determine?

Answer 11

o OC exhibits will determine, plan and record the examination and interrogation of every exhibit & establish its relevance to the investigation.