Initial Responce Flashcards
Identification of Homicide scene instances may include;
Reported 2M 1S of infant unexplained death Report of an abduction Report of violence where no body found Hit and run Suicide Fatal fire Drug related deaths
Initial Responsibilities
V.A.W.S.E.I.P.O
Victim = located/identify
Appreciation = Initial appreciation of incident
Witnesses= locate/contain
Scene= preserve
Exhibits=note evidence, preserve
Ingredients= consider if ingredients have been met
Powers= identify avail powers consider executing them
Offenders=identify / apprehend
Appreciation
definition
Proven course of problem solving
Ongoing process
Process of logical reasoning and careful consideration
Appreciation benefits
Increases chances of success Est sequence of activities to be carried out Manages risk Reduces uncertainty Eliminates duplication Effective use of resources
Appreciation
Aim, factors, courses open, plan
Aim=statement which succinctly demonstrates a single objective
factors=circumstance or fact which could have an effect on the manner in which you achieve your desired outcome
Courses open=list of all possible ways the aim could be achieved
Plan=proposed course of action designed to put the selected courses into action
Risk assessment
Before initial action can be safely undertaken those in charge must conduct an appreciation
Victims medical status
3 categories
Alive and uninjured
Alive but injured
Shows no signs of life
On arrival at the hospital
- Medical opinion
- Seize victim clothing
- Est victims identity
- Obtain pre-transfusion blood sample
- Seize discarded bandages etc
- Arrange firearms residue samples
- Note and photo injuries
- DNA swabs
- Deatils of persons visiting /contact victim
- Conduct scoping interview
- Prelim with ambo / medical staf
When you discover a body
- Consider calling ambo / resus
- Remain with body
- Arrange for life extinct cert
- Treat victim as a scene
- Leave clothes on body
- leave medical items ‘in situ’
- Conduct scoping interviews with med staff
- Ascertain if victim spoke to anyone before death
- Record body position/lividity/injuries/clothing
- records everything using all senses
- Record all exhibits
- Sketch plan, position of body and exh.
- Full info to O/C
Initial action to preserve a scene
- Identify=initial assessment, consider powers, est. crime scene itself, CAP, consider related scenes,
note and record, SITREP
2.Secure=Exercise powers, cordon parameters, arrange scene guards, Crime scene logs, prevent loss/damage of evidence - Preserve=best path to scene, preserve whats there ‘in situ’ consider using stepping plates
4.Consider=initial photos
5.Record=integrity of scene, precise details, sketch, photos, id anything moved, accurate record, report to o/c
Purpose of scene guard and log
Ensure no unauthorized entry into scene
Ensure integrity of any evidence
Intel opportunities maximized
Contamination issues managed
Scene Guard duties
Secure Scene - deny access
Record details - maintain crime scene log
Ctrl Mvmts - C.A.P
Rcrd Mvmts - All mvts to and from
Brief others - communicate relevant info
Avoid disturbance - don’t enter
Protect scene - be vigilant eg. animals, remain on duty
Brief replacement-brief and hand over log
Respect security - don’t discuss (media, bystanders etc)
Demonstrate courtesy - tact and courtesy with civies and crowds
Inform others - any actions reported back to O/C Scene / inves
Obtaining key material from witnesses
- Obtain full details
- Assemble people in clear area
- Isolate witnesses (contamination)
- ID witnesses conduct scoping interview
- Est if persons have left scene
- Est if witness has made any ph calls from scene
- Record rego numbers
- Seize any CCTV
Suspect at Scene
- Separate suspects
- Consider condition of suspects (injuries, alcohol etc)
- Ask them to remain
- Consider ground to arrest
- Prevent cross contamination
- BOR if arrested of detained
- Consider search of suspect/vehicle - S & S
- Consider searching vicinity
- Note suspects appearance and behavior
- Record all conversations with suspects
- Interview on DVD (preference)
- Brief O/C investigation
O/C Invest and initial response
- What has occurred
- What action has been taken
- What has not been done
- What needs to be done
