Homicide & Serious Crime Victims Flashcards
In relation to the appointment of O/C Body, who should do it?
- It should be an experienced Investigator with awareness of forensic issues. Where this is not possible then they should be mentored or have additional support during the process.
- The appointment of an additional deputy to assist the O/C body as scene exhibits officer especially during post mortem, should be considered.
The responsibilities of OC Body, what must they do? (Raellie Body)
- Ensure that the death has been certified by a Doctor or qualified paramedic using a Deceased Person Certificate (Pol265)
- Maintain security and continuity of the body, samples and exhibits from scene through to commencement of the post-mortem examination.
- Secure, guard body, samples and exhibits relating to the body with respect and dignity.
- Note and record observation relating to the body.
- Record details of medical staff or others who have attended to the body
- Record what actions have been taken by other any party in respect of the body.
- Establish if the body has been moved or disturbed
- Ensure body is photographed in situ and consider video recording
- Establish authority from OC Investigation to arrange transportation to mortuary
- Complete sudden death procedures
- On authority from OC Investigation, carry out formal identification of body pol265A
- Obtain historical medical records for pathologist information.
- Attend Post Mortem:
- Briefing with OC Investigation and Pathologist and
contribute as required. - Ensure Police Photographer takes photographs of
body before clothes are removed, again when
disrobing, during the post mortem examination. As
directed by Pathologist.
- Preserve evidence from body. - Record, label and secure all samples and exhibits associated with the body. - Arrange for fingerprints and palm prints to be taken if required.
- Briefing with OC Investigation and Pathologist and
- Attend debrief of the pathologist and record findings, on direction of OC and / or Pathologist.
- Ensure all cultural responsibilities have been addressed.
What are the steps to take when removing the body from the scene? (Scene next to Raellie)
- Record the position of the body by sketch and direct a
Police photographer to take photographs. Consider
video recording or other imaging techniques. - In consultation with the Crime Scene Coordinator and
or OC Scene consider marking and recording the
position of the body before moving it for example by
measuring the distance from at least two nearby fixed
features. Depending on the scene, this may not
always be possible. - 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
- Extent of any rigor mortis present.
- IMPORTANT - consider what health risks may be presented by handling the body.
- Cover hands and feet with paper bag if paper bags do not work consider plastic bags with the confirmation from Crime Scene Co-ordinator or O/C Investigation
- Ensure clothing on body or body is not contaminated with a foreign object.
- Use plastic bag to wrap body before placing it inside body bag.
- Carefully search under where body is laying.
- Exhibit plastic wrap and body bag used in transportation to mortuary.
- Obtain authority to remove body from scene from OC Investigation.
- Arrange under taker to transport body to mortuary. Ensure that security and continuity can be accounted for at all times until the commencement of the post mortem examination. Ensure body bag is sterile.
O/C Body and O/C Investigation is to establish as much information so experts or interested parties can be informed, what information or key areas that should be covered? (Mortuary meal room)
- Photographs / Video recordings take at the scene
- Actions of the first responders
- ID of body
- History of body - medical history, drugs from scene,
action taken or developments since the discovery of
the body. - Timeframes relating to the finding of the body, the last
sighting and other significant times that may impact
upon time of death - Scope and prioritizing of investigation
- Any special evidential expectation and requirements
- Environment conditions, ie: weather conditions,
ambient/ historical temperatures, nearby heating
appliances, pollen influences - Any additional expert or other information that is
appropriate.
What is the role of the O/C Body during the post mortem?
(Examination Room) 3 things
- Observe, document
- Deal with exhibits associated with the body in a
structured methodical manner. - Notes are not to be made unless directed by O/C
Investigation or Pathologists.
Who is responsible for arranging the formal identification of the body?
The OC Body is responsible for doing this and obtaining a formal statement to this ID.
The witness must be informed of what to expect and see when viewing the Deceased after the post-mortem.
Who can attend the Post Mortem? (8)
Under section 38 of Coroners Act 2006
- Pathologist
- The Coroner
- any other pathologist assisting (if authorised)
- a doctor who treated the deceased
- a doctor, nurse or funeral director representing the
deceased (if authorised) - a doctor representing the interests of the suspect who
has or may be charged in relation to the death (If
authorised) - any other doctor or trainee doctor (if authorised)
- Police
What to take when body has been disturbed at a scene?
- ESTABLISH…
- Do not attempt…
- Make…
- Establish what movements have taken place and that the OC body record this information ASAP
- Do not attempt to restore the scene to its original unchanged condition
- Make enquiries to enable the original unchanged
scene to be subsequently reconstructed or
photographed.
Samples from the scene?
23 Zelda Place inside property
- Larvae and insects
- Potential fingerprint evidence from skin of victim or
items of clothing worn by the victim. - DNA swabs
- Loose hairs, fibres, glass, paint or other fragments
- Firearm residue samples
What is the purpose of the PM?
D - determine the mode and time of death
I - Injuries and/or events at the scene that may have
contributed towards the death of the Victim
E - Establish the nature and size of any weapon used
D - Determine the height and stature of the suspect
P - Providing areas of interest for subsequent interviews
N - Negating possible defenses
I - I.D Suspect.
Who should attend PM from Police?
OC Investigation, OC Body, Photographer, SOCO / Fingerprint Officer, IF person who has been assigned as exhibits officer specifically for body.
Maori Culture, Iwi Liaison Officer what should be done?
- Must be engaged as early as possible. This will support
understanding and awareness of the Maori traditions,
protocol and beliefs. - Maori must be given the opportunity to bless the site of
the death before the body is removed.
What methods can be used to identify body?
- Fingerprints
- DNA profiling
- Dental records
- Eye examination records
- Medical examination records
- Personal Effects
- Facial reconstruction
In relation to skeletal remains, what can the pathologist can tell us?
- Whether the remains are actually bones.
- Whether the bones are human
- The age, gender, height and race of the person.
When should O/C body strip the body of clothing?
Will take place immediately before the post-mortem but must only be undertaken on the specific direction of O/C Investigation.
