HOMICIDE AND SERIOUS CRIME VICTIMS - Post Mortem - Part 2

Question 1

BULLY - Scenario - Equipment:

THE OC BODY MUST COLLECT THE POLICE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR THE POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION AND ENSURE THIS IS READILY AVAILABLE AT THE MORTUARY.

THIS SHOULD INCLUDE:

Answer 1

• 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’

Question 2

ON ARRIVAL AT THE MORTUARY, THE O/C BODY MUST?

Answer 2

• Ensure mortuary staff do not wash the body.
• Ensure the body is labelled and secured in the secure mortuary fridge.
• Retain any key used to secure the body, until it is required for the post-mortem
• Ensure the body remains in its present condition until the commencement of the post-mortem.
• Arrange formal identification of the body

Question 3

BULLY * What instructions must the O/C Body provide to the person making the identification?*

Answer 3

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

Question 4

BULLY - The pathologist must be supplied with relevant information and material?

Answer 4

• Copy of the Notification to the Coroner (Pol 47).
• Medical Examination (MEK) kit.
• Toxicology kit.
• Medical records of the deceased, where available.

Question 5

BULLY - *Taking Notes during Post-Mortem? *

Answer 5

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 6

THE O/C BODY MUST FOLLOW THE STEPS OUTLINED IN THIS TABLE, TO ENSURE THE BODY IS STRIPPED IN THE REQUIRED MANNER?

Answer 6

• The body must only be stripped in the presence of the pathologist.
• Remove the body from the secure mortuary fridge and assist mortuary staff to take the body into the post-mortem examination room.
• Remove the body from the body bag, causing minimal disturbance to the body
• Take possession of the body bag and any sheets or wrappings used to transport the body, as exhibits.

Question 7

What to do when Photographing the Body?

Answer 7

• 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 8

How to Fingerprint the Body?

Answer 8

• Ensure fingerprints and palm prints done after examination from Pathologist
• Footprints if relevant to INV

Question 9

Scenario: Points the pathologist should cover:

The OC Investigation or deputy appointed by them must ensure the pathologist conducts a thorough examination of the body and that the pathologist conducts the following procedures:

Answer 9

• Records a description of the body, including: height, weight, build, eye colour and hair (density, colour and baldness).
• Records the body’s external appearance (front and back) including: injuries, bruises, scars, scratches, discoloration and imperfections such as false teeth or false leg.
• Uses specialist kits for collecting evidence samples where appropriate, for example Medical Examination Kit, Toxicology Kit, Firearms Discharge Residue Kit or Post-Mortem Kit. Post-Mortem Kits are supplied by ESR, to the mortuary direct.

Question 10

Any item found at the crime scene or during the post-mortem examination which is of mutual interest to the pathologist and the investigative team must be preserved and handled in accordance with standard exhibit protocols.

Examples of such articles include:

Answer 10

• Ballistic projectiles
• Foreign items such as hairs, fibres, blood or semen on or in the body
• Ligatures - any knot present on a ligature must not be cut or undone as the knot may be subject to a subsequent knot examination).

Question 11

What to do after the Postmortem?

Answer 11

At the conclusion of the post-mortem examination the OC Body must take possession of all exhibits, including all samples and specialist kits.

Any wet or damp exhibits must be unsealed and dried in a controlled environment such as at a Police drying room, with due regard for the integrity of the exhibit. Once dry, they can be re-packaged and re-sealed.

Question 12

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:

Answer 12

• The post-mortem Scene Exhibit Schedule
• Copy of the OC Body’s notebook entries
• Formal statement.

Question 13

List 2 copies of forms which must be in a 1S File?

Answer 13

o Statement relating to victims’ formal identification
o Copy of deceased person identification – Pol 265A

Question 14

BULLY - Discuss what procedure and protective materials should be used when preparing the body for removal from the scene?

Answer 14

o Cover hands, feet & head with paper bags, secured with tape
o Wide tape should be used, taped around the bag at a suitable anchoring point that will secure the bag to the limb
o The tape should not be so tight as to create new marks on the body and must not be applied directly to the skin
o If use of paper bag is not appropriate (E.g. – Wet limb) then a plastic bag may be used to protect potential forensic material.
o This decision should be made in consultation with OC Scene, OC investigation, crime scene coordinator.