Information Gathering and Documentation SUM1 Flashcards
What are the six main duties of a scene guard?
1 - Prevent unauthorised people entering the scene.
2 - Record details of anyone entering the scene.
3 - Brief authorised people before entering the scene.
4 - Promptly report/record suspicious activity.
5 - Avoid contaminating/interfering with the scene
6 - Beware of any animals and remove ASAP.
What are the Freeze/Control/Preserve Principles?
Freeze the scene so it remains in the condition in which it was found.
Control people at the scene and those attempting to arrive/leave.
Preserve any evidence at the scene that may be destroyed or start to decay in some way.
What are the procedures to follow when en-route to an incident?
Obtain descriptions of the suspect/vehicle/direction of travel/weapons; discuss areas of responsibility with partner; plan approach to the scene; establish a Safe Forward Point (where you park and move forward from); consider options.
What are the procedures to follow when arrived at an incident?
Update Comms; park in a clear safe area; discuss approach to the scene; have a radio and torch; note what is happening, to whom and where.
How do you establish control of a scene?
Clear the scene of people; freeze/control/preserve; set boundaries; position scene guards; carry out sitreps; brief your supervision of action carried out.
What is hearsay evidence?
Oral or written statement of a person that is not produced as a witness in court - the statement is given in court by another person or in a document as evidence of the truth of what has been stated.
When is hearsay evidence admissible in court?
When the statement is reliable, and the witness is either unavailable, or it would cause undue delay in expense in obtaining the witness.
What are the deciding factors in whether a hearsay evidence statement is reliable?
CHANT -
Contents (logical order, known to statement maker only, corroboratable?);
How taken (physical environment, mental alertness, when in relation to event, conduct, duress?);
Accuracy (External factors?);
Nature (firsthand hearsay? multiple-hand hearsay? What form (literally)?);
Truthfulness (motive to lie? under duty (eg work)? Demeanor?).
Who are people considered “unavailable” witnesses?
Sovereign, Judiciary, Jurors, Counsel, Bank officials (for the sole purpose of records), defendant against him/herself or co-defendant.
What is opinion evidence?
Inference from observed facts.
When is opinion evidence acceptable to the court?
Expert opinion or HAMI - Handwriting (if can prove that witness has regularly received written documents from defendant), Age, Mental/Physical wellbeing (of oneself ONLY), Identification.
What is propensity evidence?
Evidence pertaining to the character of a person, including past behavior.
When is propensity evidence admissible?
If the question of the defendant’s character is brought up by the defence.
What is propensity evidence useful for?
Intel purposes.
What is the police notebook used for?
Investigative tool, record of correspondence, record of an interview.
What are the ten pieces of information that comprise a person’s “particulars”?
Full name Date of Birth and Age Residential address Phone number Cellphone number Email Occupation Work Address Work Phone Number Work Email
In addition to particulars, what should you note about someone you interview?
Mental/Physical Condition, Circumstances under which you interviewed them, Physical description.
What is a “noting”?
A “noting” is an obtaining of all details about a person/situation/event. Allow information sharing in Police.
What are the “Notebook Rules”?
LEGO - Leaves torn out - No-No Erasures - No-No Gaps - No-No Overwriting - No-No
What is the code for a Police Job Sheet?
POL 29
What are the 4 main purposes of a job sheet?
To methodically plan an investigation, so supervisors can monitor the progress of an investigation, for other investigators to review the investigation, and for the information in your notebook to be transposed into a formal police document that can be attached to the file.
Under which 7 circumstances would you complete a job sheet?
Attend an incident and speak to victims/witnesses/suspects, Securing exhibits at an incident, Assisting other police officers, Assisting other emergency services, Noting details or drawing a diagram of a scene, Conducting door to door enquiries and Compiling a list of further enquiries that you need to make.
What are two things that are inappropriate to record on a job sheet?
Comments that are frivolous, vindictive, judgemental of character or cannot be substantiated. Also your opinions of what you think might have happened.
What are the 7 procedures undertaken when finding and seizing an exhibit?
Do not touch it, consider if it can help you reconstruct situation, photograph it in situ, consider if it can help you via forensics, record when/where/how you found it in notebook, label and secure it, ensure the chain of custody is maintained.
