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.
