Homicide & Serious Crime Investigation Flashcards
What needs to be considered in the Initial response to homicide or serious crime
V.A.W.S.E.I.P.O
Initial response to homicide or serious crime - VAWSEIPO
Victim - Identify and locate the victim(s).
Appreciation - Make an initial appreciation of the incident. Assess personal risk and then preserve the lives of others.
Witnesses - Locate and contain witnesses.
Scene - Preserve the scene (e.g. set boundaries).
Exhibits - Note evidence and preserve any that would otherwise be lost or destroyed.
Ingredients - Consider whether the ingredients of the alleged offence have been established
Powers - Identify what powers are available and consider whether to execute them.
Offenders - Identify and apprehend suspect(s).
What are the Benefits of Appreciation Technique
Applying an appreciation technique can provide the following key benefits:
Informs all Police what they are expected to achieve
Increases the chances of success, i.e. the investigative aims/objectives being met
Establishes a sequence of activities to be carried out
Manages risk
Reduces uncertainty
Eliminates duplication
Ensures nothing is overlooked
Effective use of resources.
A full written appreciation may be used for protracted situations.
Urgent or pressing situations where immediate initial action is required, a shortened form of appreciation is usually conducted mentally i.e. not in writing, for speed.
What are the File Manager Responsibilities/Purpose
File Manager Responsibility - Purpose
H.P.M.S.I.R.F.P.M
The main functions of the File Manager are to:
H - assist with establishing and maintaining the Investigation Headquarters
P - operate the paper flow and associated structure in accordance with the Serious Crime Document Management System outlined in the Serious Crime Template
M - manage the electronic and physical files relating to the investigation
S - complete a synopsis of all documents received, excluding documents relating to covert policing activities
I - assist the 2IC with the identification and recording of evidential material
R - support the 2IC by reading all documents for the purpose of highlighting important information to the 2IC
F - ensure a flow of information throughout the investigation
P - assist with the preparation of the prosecution file
M - assist with management of the trial.
What are the Pupose and who attends Forensic Strategy meetings
Forensic Strategy meetings
Forensic Strategy meetings are held to determine which exhibit or other forensic examinations are required and the priority of those examinations.
Those attending Forensic Strategy meetings include the
- OC Investigation
- 2IC
- OC Exhibits,
- Crime Scene Co-ordinator/OC Scene,
- anyone else deemed necessary by the OC Investigation. includING the pathologist, forensic scientist , Fingerprint Officer, SOCO, OC Body and other relevant experts.
Early involvement of forensic specialists will ensure exhibits are protected and that the maximum potential forensic evidence and intelligence are recovered from them.
Following any Forensic Strategy meeting, the OC Exhibits must record on the Exhibits Register, all decisions taken about the types of examinations to be conducted and the priority allocated to the examination of each exhibit.
What 7 steps need to be completed before Submission of exhibits for examination
Submission of exhibits for examination
When forwarding an exhibit for examination, follow these steps
- Ensure exhibit examination decisions are confirmed through the Forensic Strategy meeting process.
- Record in the Exhibits Register all decisions taken about the types of examinations to be conducted and the priority allocated to each examination.
- Ensure the OC Investigation has authorised the proposed examination.
- Prepare the necessary papers for the ESR or other expert. Ensure the POL 143 contains
- brief circumstances of the case
- purpose(s) of the examination
- location where each item originates from
- whether any exhibits are damp or require special attention
- authorisation by the appropriate supervisor. - Ensure any exhibits are prepared before being delivered
- all items are separately wrapped
- all parcels are sealed
- all items or their packages are labelled and numbered
- a list of all items is attached to the Police Form 143
- the Police Form 143 is consistent with the labels on the items
- items are in an appropriate condition, for example, clothing is dry and blood samples are refrigerated. - Deliver exhibits for scientific examination promptly to avoid deterioration and loss of evidence.
- Inform the expert undertaking a scientific examination if it is no longer required.
What are the Responsibilities of OC Area Canvass?
O/C Area canvass enquiries in homicide or serious crime investigations -
The OC Area Canvass reports to the OC Investigation and together must ensure the canvass is conducted thoroughly and recorded accurately.
The OC area canvas ensures
the area canvass team remains focused
the canvass results in efficient use of resources
it returns relevant and manageable information and material.
What are the Police Responsibilities to Witnesses for
FLO
Family Liaison Officer (FLO)
Maintaining contact - Ensure the victim’s next of kin are regularly updated of the progress of both the enquiry and Court proceedings, as directed by the 2IC.
What needs to be covered in the Family Liaison Plan
Family Liaison Plan
The plan developed should consider needs of the family, lines of enquiry and all available intelligence. The family liaison plan is a dynamic process which must be reviewed in consultation with the FLO, at regular intervals. The plan should be recorded and consider:
selection of the FLO and criteria employed for the selection
exit plan for the FLO
objectives of the family liaison
assessing the most appropriate methods of conducting interviews with family members, including the use of specialist interviewers, where appropriate
information to be released/withheld from the family
requests by the family not been agreed to, and the reasons for this
complaints made by the family and the OC Investigation’s action to progress and resolve the issues raised
any member of the family who could be considered a suspect, to enable the OC Investigation to determine whether or not this is the case
What is the Role of the Family Liaison Officer (FLO)
Function of the FLO
The appointment of a Family Liaison Officer (FLO) will smooth this process and provide the vital conduit between the family and the Police investigation throughout the investigation phase, prosecution and beyond. It is very important that the person appointed is the most appropriate for the role and is available for the duration of the investigation.
Role of the Family Liaison Officer (FLO)
The role of the Family Liaison Officer (FLO) involves the day-to-day management of the partnership between the family of the deceased and the Police investigation. The primary function of an FLO is that of an investigator and not a support person. However, in performing this role, the FLO must also offer, facilitate and co-ordinate support that addresses the needs of the family.
What are the responsobilities of the OC body in relation to exhibits
Exhibits
The OC Body is responsible for:
R - recording, labeling, packaging, sealing and securing all physical exhibits relating to the body (including samples taken during the post-mortem).
A - It is recommended, where practical, that an additional officer is appointed to assist the OC Body as an Exhibits Officer specifically relating to the post-mortem examination.
P - All exhibits must be packaged and sealed before leaving the mortuary, and recorded in a Scene Exhibits Schedule.
A - The pathologist, and ESR, may retain some exhibits to submit directly to the laboratory for analysis. The OC Body must allocate these an exhibit number and record them in the Scene Exhibit Schedule.
I - 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.
R - The OC Body should also request, where applicable, a copy of any record created by the mortuary, of samples taken during the post-mortem examination.
What 12 steps does the OC body need to take when stipping the body
OC Body - Stripping the body
- The body must only be stripped in the presence of the pathologist.
- Remove the body from the secure mortuary fridge to post-mortem examination room (assistance of mortuary staff).
- Remove the body from the body bag, causing minimal disturbance to the body.
- Exhibit body bag and any sheets or wrappings used to transport the body
- Police photographer to photograph body before clothing is removed, and again after the body is disrobed. The pathologist will lead direction of the photographer.
- Remove items of clothing from the body.
- Avoid cutting clothing off the body
- Search clothing pockets - inventory of each of the pocket contents. - Inventory of clothing and possessions, as each item is removed.
- Label each item of clothing and each possession.
- Seal each item in a separate paper bag or container.
- Ensure exhibits do not cross-contaminate
- Maintain security and continuity of the body and exhibits taken from the body, until the post-mortem examination commences.
- In cases involving obvious head trauma, before blood and debris is washed from the body, particularly the head hair, consider placing a fine sieve in the mortuary table drain hole to collect trace evidence that may have been transferred from a weapon, for later comparison with exhibits the suspect(s) have had access to.
What at the Responsibilities of the OC Body
Responsibilities of the OC Body= CSI GOD DMMIT ME RAPED
CSI
Certificate – Deceased person POL 265 certified by doctor or qualified paramedic
Sudden – Death procedures completed
In-Situ – Ensure body photographed in-situ, consider video recording
GOD
Guard – Secure and guard the body, body samples and exhibits relating to the body, with dignity and respect
Observations – Note and record observations relating to the body
Details – Of all medical staff who attended to the victim
DMMMIT
Da bros – Ensure all cultural responsibilities addressed
Maintain - Security & continuity of the body, samples and exhibits from the scene to the commencement of the post mortem
Moved – Establish if the body has been moved or disturbed
Medical - obtain historical medial records of victim for information of pathologist
I.D. – Arrange formal ID on authority of the OC on POL 265A
Transport – Arrange transport to mortuary on authority of the OC
ME
Mortem – Attend post mortem with OC or deputy appointed by them
Evidence – Preserve evidence from the body
RAPPED
Remove – Clothing & personal effects from the body
Arrange – Fingerprints and palm prints
Photographer – If necessary direct the Police Photographer to take additional photos of the body to ensure appropriate and sufficient photos taken before clothing removed, again after body disrobed and during post mortem
Exhibits – Record, label & secure all samples & exhibits from the body
Debrief – Attend the debriefing of the Pathologist & and record findings, on direction of the pathologist and/or OC
Initial Actions to Preserve a Crime Scene
Step 1 Identify
W.R.E.N.S.G.P.H.P
W - What is happening at the scene and who is there?
R - Consider other ‘related’ crime scenes.
E - Establish the ‘Crime Scene’ itself. Extend parameters as widely as possible.
N - Note and record observations.
S - Provide a SITREP/SFP to Comms and obtain acknowledgement.
G - Gather information and carry out an initial assessment of the scene.
P - Consider your warrantless powers to deal with evidential material in respect of serious offences, pursuant to the Search and Surveillance Act 2012.
H - Establish a scene headquarters, and safe arrival / assembly points.
P - Consider possible approach paths and establish a Common Approach Path (CAP)
What are the Topics to be discussed and recorded at Forensic Strategy meetings
Topics covered during a Forensic Strategy meeting may include:
- 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.
Following any Forensic Strategy meeting, the OC Exhibits must record on the Exhibits Register, all decisions taken about the types of examinations to be conducted and the priority allocated to the examination of each exhibit.
What are the Key points for team briefings by the OC Area Enquiries
A briefing should include but is not be limited to the points in this table.
1 - Advise staff on:
• what action to take if they believe they have identified the suspect
• what action to take if they locate items of evidential value
• what action to take if individuals refuse to assist
• how to complete the correspondence flow
• what information can be disclosed during the area canvass
• what information must not be disclosed.
2- Summarise the situation and detail the duties and areas of responsibility of each canvass team member
3- Emphasise the need for thoroughness and that every person in every household and visitors must be seen personally.
4- Stress that the questionnaire is only a guide to ensure the questions are asked, but should be regarded as flexible in that information supplied could lead to other questions.
5- Advise that evidence of possible probative value must be obtained in a formal written statement rather than notebook form. Note: The questionnaire must be endorsed, if a statement is taken.
6- Consider visiting the canvass area to record every address including flats and vacant sections and then reconcile these premises with the map.
7 - Ensure all forms are completed, and actioned as outlined.
8- Reconcile completed locations with the master copy to avoid duplication.
