Initial Action Flashcards
First thing to consider when undertaking a course of action at a crime scene
Risk and safety assessment
VAWSEIPO
Victim - identify & locate
Appreciation - make and initial appreciation, assess personal risk
Witness - locate & contain
Scene - preserve the scene/set boundaries
Exhibits - note & preserve what might be destroyed
Elements - has alleged offences been met
Powers - identify what’s available and whether to execute them
Offenders - identify & apprehend
2 main purposes of Police attending the scene of any death
- To investigate thoroughly
- To gather sufficient evidence to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death
Actions Police should take to preserve the scene upon initial arrival
PRESERVE SCENE ON ARRIVAL
Identify - gather info and carry out initial assessment of scene
Secure - consider s116, establish parameters, arrange and brief scene guards, prevent loss/damage by weather or animals
Preserve - consider best path into scene, record movements in scene, consider stepping plates
Consider - initial photos of scene and if persons present are necessary
Record - Integrity of the scene (scene log), scene sketch and notes, identity anything moved
What is appreciation process
WHAT IS APPRECIATION PROCESS
- Proven method of problem solving
- Process follows a series of steps to ensue optimum course of action is decided
- Considers appropriate factors - weighs benefits and risks of alternative solutions
- Ongoing process which involves continually thinking through each new piece of info
Benefits of the appreciation process
BENEFITS
- Aim/Factors/Course/Plan
- Informs all Police what they are expected to achieve
- Increases the chances of success
- Effective use of resources
- Ensures nothing is overlooked
- Manages risk
- Reduces uncertainty
- Eliminates duplication
3 categories for victims status
Alive and Uninjured
Alive but Injured
Shows no signs of life
First contact with informant
INFORMANT - record what they say, demeanour, clothing. May become critical if later ID’d as suspect.
Get: identity/location of suspect, details of scene location, identity of victim, relationship to victim/suspect, details of others at scene, details of actions taken by informant and where they have been
Initial questioning of a witness
INITIAL WITNESS QUESTION
What happened, where incident happened, when happened, who was involved, what witness did/went/ touched, who else was present, descriptions of those present, who touched witness, what did others present say/do
Risk assessment if suspect is present at the scene of a serious crime
SUSPECTS AT SCENE
Seperate suspect from others
- Consider condition of suspect (injured/mental impairment)
- Ask them to remain at scene and cooperate (consider if grounds to arrest)
- Prevent cross-contam. issues
- Caution as required
- Consider searching suspect, their vehicle, belongings to prevent disposal
- Search vicinity of suspect and routes taken to discover discarded evidence
- Note suspects behaviour and appearance
- Record everything they say, consider prelim interview, interview should be on DVD
- Brief O/C investigation and highlight risks/cross contamination issues.
Action to take if media present
Keep them away from immediate crime scene, Make no comment, Consult O/C investigation of arrival, identify the media members and their location.
Explain common approach path
For movements into and out of scene
A path which avoids any route possibly takes to and from the scene by the suspect/victim
Evidence from witnesses at scene that were proximate to events
FORENSIC EVIDENCE WITNESS
DNA swabs of any areas suspect may have touched, DNA swabs of any blood present on witness, swabs of any other relevant stains, forensic exam eg fingernails, secure clothing/footwear, photograph witness at scene and any injuries.
Scene guard responsibilities and briefing
SCENE GUARD
- Secure scene - deny access unless authorised
- Record details - maintain log and note entry of those authorised to enter
- Control movements - ensure common approach path used
- Record movements - including vehicles near scene
- Protect scene - eg animals
- Avoid disturbance - do not personally enter or contaminate scene
- Brief others and replacement
- Inform others - report actions to o/c scene
Demonstrate courtesy - use tact when dealing with civilians
Dying Statement Admissibility
DYING STATEMENT
Court must be satisfied the content of the statement and person that made it are reliable.
Consider the nature and contents of the statement, circumstances relating to making the statement and the veracity of the person, circumstances relating to accuracy of the observation of the person
