Initial Response Flashcards
What are the primary functions of the initial police res-ponders
Attending the scene at an early stage
Taking control of the situation and
Co coordinating tasks
What is the first thing to consider when undertaking a course of action at a serious crime scene
must first consider what risks may exist.
The actions of the first responding police have a critical effect on an investigation and on the potential for gathering evidence. List the points in general investigation model that should be applied in all cases
Victim - identify and locate the victims
Appreciation- make an initial appreciation of the incident, assess personal risk then preserve the life of others
Witnesses - locate and contain witnesses
scene - preserve the scene, set boundaries
Exhibits - note evidence and preserve an that would be lost or destroyed
Elements - Consider whether the elements of the alleged offence have been established
Powers - identify what powers are available and whether to execute them
Offenders - identify and apprehend
what are 4 benefits of applying the appreciation technique?
Informs all police what they are expected to achieve
Increases a chance of success-fullness - aims/objectives being met.
Establishes a sequence of activities to be carried out
manages risk
reduces uncertainty
eliminates duplication
ensures nothing is overlooked.
What are the steps to take when conducting an appreciation
Aim - a short one line statement which demonstrates a single objective
Factors - any circumstance or fact that could have an effect on the manner in which you achieve the desired outcome
Courses Open - a list or the possible ways the aim could be achieved
Plan - a proposed course of action in order to achieve the desired outcome
What are the 2 main purposes for police attending the scene of any death
Police’s purpose is to always investigate thoroughly
Gather sufficient evidence to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death
What information should you gain from the Informant/compl at the scene of a serious offence who will assist in the investigation
Identity and location of the suspect
First hand account of what they know.
Precise details of the location of the scene
Circumstances leading to the discovery
Identity of the victim
Details of anyone else the scene
Full contact details of the Infor/comp
Demeanour of the Infor/comp
Relationship of the Infor/comp to the victim/suspect
Details of the action the infor/comp has taken and where they have been
Details of any hazards or safety issues that may affect police approaching the scene/victim
What can you ask of the infor/comp where there may be a delay in police arrival?
To return to the proximity of the scene and guard it if it is considered safe to do so
Not to enter the obvious boundaries of the scene
Not to touch or move anything
To prevent other from entering or touching the scene
To await police arrival and identify themselves
What should initial action police take note of when having initial contact with the infor/cmp
what they say
their clothing
there demeanour
what is the 1st priority when conducting a risk assessment at the scene of a serious incident?
1st - always ensure the safety of the attending members
Next - establish the physical condition of the victim (3 categories
1. alive and uninjured
2. alive but injured
3. shows no sign of life
upon arrival at hospital, what steps should you take in regards to the victim
obtain medical opinion as to the victims current medical status
seize clothing and other possessions as evidence
establish identity of vic
obtain pre-transfusion of blood
seize any discarded bandages used to cover gunshot wounds/record their position where it had been applied
arrange DNA swabs to be taken from vic’s skin
obtain details of any person who comes to visit or contacts the vic
conduct a scoping interview - consider recording if they might die.
note /photograph injuries
upon arrival, the victim shows no signs of life, what steps should you take?
Consider ambo resus, if vic is moved for this purpose, record it
remain with body until relived by CIB or supervisor
arrange Dr to pronounce life extinct- unless obvious
treat vic as a scene
instruct medial staff to leave clothing on body.
if medical equipment has been used, request to be left in situ
conduct scoping interviews with medical staff who treated vic.
ascertain if vic spoke to anyone before death
record body position, lividity, obvious injuries and clothing
objectively record everything observed using all senses
record all exhibits
sketch a plan including position of body and exhibits
provide full info to OC investigation at an early stage.
Explain a common approach path CAP
A path used for all movements into and out of the scene which avoids any route possibly taken to and from the scene by the suspect or victim
A way to get from A to B in a crime scene with the least amount of disruption of the scene itself.
Is the only way attending staff will travel,once inside the scene.
Obtaining forensic evidence from witnesses at a scene - what should police do prior to interview and what types fo evidecne may be present
Some witnesses have been so proximate to events that it is likely evidence was transferred to the witness from the Victim, suspect or the scene itself
Before interview, a plan must be prepared to preserve and recover all available physical evidence from the witness, fibres, bodily fluids, glass or other material.
A verbal statement is atken from the vicimt under 181(1)(a) of the EA, how can police satisfy the statement is admissable?
The Nature of the statement
The Contents of the statement
The Circumstances relating to the making of the statement
Circumstances relating to the Veracity of ther person
and
Circumstances relating to the Accuracy of the Observation of the person.
What actions should police take to preserve the scene upon inital arrival?
Identify and preserve - Freeze, control, guard, preserve.
Carry out initial assessment
Use a common approach path
Clear the scene
Arrange and debrief a scene guard - scene log used
established adequate cordon area
If no immediate risk to life, consider stepping plates
Protect fragile exhibits and any that are exposed to the elements
call for assistance/resources
make appropriate records, who, what, where, when, why, how
sketch plan/initial photographs of scene
make accurate records and report them to OC investigations.ASAP
What action must police staff at the scene of a serious crime take if the media are present
If media are present, keep them away from the immediate scene cordon and make no comment about the incident
Consult with OC investigation on arrival and explain what has happened and identify media and where they are
You arrive at the scene of a homicide and advised the offender is still present, what should you first priority be in relation to the suspect.
Identification, apprehension and isolation of the offender is first priority.
Locating the offender quickly can provide the investigation with forensic or other evidence which may be otherwise be lost.
You are first at the scene of a homicide and the suspect is still present, what are 4 steps you should follow?
- Separate the suspect from other persons at the scene
- consider the condition of the suspect, are they injured or under the influence of drugs/alcohol or suffer from a medical or other condition
- Remove the suspect ASAP from the scene
- use other officers who have not entered the scene to manage the suspect to avoid cross contamination.
- caution the suspect if required
- record everything the suspect says , consider an prelim interview
What action should Police take where the body has been disturbed at the scene
Establish what movements have taken place and have the OC body record that info
Do not attempt to restore the scene to the original unchanged condition
Make enquiries to enable the original unchanged scene to be subsequently reconstructed and photographed if require
What steps should you follow to obtain key material from a witness
obtain full details off all present at scene
Assemble people in a clear area, have apolice perosn remain with them
Isolate witnesses from one another to avoid contamination/collusion
Conduct a scoping interview using TEDS
establish if anyone has left the area
have they made a phone call, to who get numbers/details of who spoke to
Rego numbers of nearby vehicles
Seize CCTV relevant to the routes to see who else may have been in the area on the day and time in quiestion
Whilst most offences of homicide are identified by a body being found or admissions made.
Some incidents notified to police are not initially identified as a homicide, theses could be?
missing person
sudden unexplained death of an infant
unexplained death
Abduction
violence where no fatalities are anticipated
crime scene where no body present
hit and run
suicide
fatal fire
drug related deaths
What are the duties of a scene guard
Deny any perosn access to the scene unless they are authorised to be there
maintain a scene log and note every person who goes into scene
ensureeveryone entering is using CAP and is supervised
record all movement and vehicle details to, from and near the scene
communicate all releveant info to OC
Do not enter scene, contaminate or interfeer with witnesses
be vigilant for actibity such as animals
remain on duty until relieved
do not discuss the events with anyone
report any actions taken to OC
