Initial Response

Question 1

Initial police responders primary functions

Answer 1

Attending scene early
Taking control of the situation
Coordinating tasks

Actions taken and prioritising tasks will frequently affect outcome

Question 2

Name some incidents notified to police that may not initially be identified as a homicide

Answer 2

Missing person report
Abduction report
Unexplained death
Suicide
Fatal fire
Drug related death
Unexplained death
Sudden unexplained death of infant

Question 3

Initial responsibilities of first responding police - the general investigation model- VAWSEEPO should be applied in all cases
What is VAWSEEPO

Answer 3

Victim
Appreciation
Witnesses
Scene
Exhibits
Elements
Powers
Offenders

Question 4

VAWSEEPO - victims

Answer 4

Identify and locate

Question 5

VAWSEEPO- Appreciation

Answer 5

Make an initial appreciation of the incident (AFCO) assess person risk and then preserve lives of others

Question 6

VAWSEEPO- witnesses

Answer 6

Locate and contain witnesses

Question 7

VAWSEEPO- scene

Answer 7

Preserve the scene (eg set boundaries)

Question 8

VAWSEEPO- Exhibits

Answer 8

NOTE evidence and preserve any that would otherwise be lost or destroyed

Question 9

VAWSEEPO- elements

Answer 9

Consider whether the ingredients of the alleged offence have been established

Question 10

VAWSEEPO- Powers

Answer 10

ID what powers are available and consider whether to execute them

Question 11

VAWSEEPO- offenders

Answer 11

ID and APPREHEND

Question 12

Appreciation - define

Answer 12

Ongoing process which involves continually thinking through each new piece of information

Method of problem solving
Series of steps to ensure best course of action is decided
Considers all factors - weighs benefits and risks of alternative solutions

Question 13

Applying an appreciation technique can provide the following key benefits

Answer 13

Informs all POL what they are expected to achieve
Increases chances of success
Establishes a sequence of activities
Manages risk
Reduces uncertainty
Stops duplication
Ensures nothing is overlooked
Effective use of resources

Question 14

AFCO + P

Answer 14

Aim
Factors
Courses open
Plan

Question 15

AFCO - aim

Answer 15

One line ST - sufficiently demonstrates a single objective

Question 16

AFCO - Factors

Answer 16

Any circumstance or fact that could possibly have an effect on the manner in which you will achieve the desired outcome (so what? Therefore)

Question 17

AFCO- courses open

Answer 17

List of all possible ways the aim could be achieved - keeping in mind factors

Question 18

AFCO - plan

Answer 18

Proposes course of action made to put the selected course of action in to order to achieve the desired aim

Question 19

What are the primary functions of the initial police responders?

Answer 19

Attending the scene at tan early stage
Taking control of the situ
Coordinating tasks

Question 20

What is the first thing to consider when undertaking a course of action at a serious crime scene

Answer 20

Must first consider what risks may exist

Question 21

The actions of the first responding police have a critical effect on an investigation and on the potential gathering of EV. List the points in the general investigation model that should be applied in all cases

Answer 21

VAWSEEPO
VICTIMS
APPRECIATION
WITNESSES
SCENE
EXHIBITS
ELEMENTS
POWERS
OFFENDERS

Question 22

Name four benefits of applying the appreciation technique

Answer 22

Manages RISK
Eliminates DUPLICATION
Ensures nothing is OVERLOOKED
Reduces UNCERTAINTY

Question 23

What are the steps to take when conducting an appreciation

Answer 23

Aim
Factors
Courses open
Plan

Question 24

What is the aim

Answer 24

In short a one line ST which succinctly demonstrates a single objective

Question 25

What are - Factors

Answer 25

Any circumstance or fact that could possible have an effect on the manner in which you will achieve your desired outcome

Question 26

What is meant by courses open

Answer 26

A list of possibles ways to achieve your aim, keeping in mind the factors and deductions made from those factors

Question 27

What is a “plan”

Answer 27

A proposed course of action designed to put the selected course into action in order to achieve the desired aim

Question 28

What are the two main purposes for police attending the scene of any death

Answer 28

Investigate throughly Gather sufficient EV to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death

Question 29

What information should you gain from the I/C (informant/complainant ) at the scene of a serious offence who will assist the investigation

Answer 29

Precise details of location of scene ID and location of suspect ID of victim Their relationship to VIC/OFF Details of anyone else at the scene Full contact details of C/I and their demeanour Circumstances leading to the discovery First hand account of what C/I knows Details of any hazards/safety issues Details of actions C/I has taken and where they have been

Question 30

What can you ask of C/I where their may have been a delay in police arrival

Answer 30

If safe to do so request they return to the proximity of the scene and guard it Not to enter the obvious boundaries of the scene Not to touch or move anything Prevent others from entering or touching the scene Await police arrival and ID themselves to first attending police

Question 31

What should initial action police take note of when there may be a delay in police arrival

Answer 31

What they say Their clothing Their demeanour

Question 32

What is the first priority when conducting a risk assessment at the scene of a serious incident

Answer 32

Ensure safety of yourself and attending police members Then establishing the physical condition of the victim - alive and uninjured - alive but injured - Shows no signs of life

Question 33

Upon arrival at a hospital, what steps should you follow in regards to the victim

Answer 33

Obtain medical opinion on V current medical condition Seize V clothing & possessions as EV Establish V ID Obtain a pre transfusion of blood Seize discarded bandages used to cover gun shot wounds & record where they had been applied Arrange DNA scans to be taken from V skin Obtain details of any person who visit/contact V Conduct a scoping interview (consider recording if they might die) Note/photo injuries

Question 34

Explain what “common approach path”

Answer 34

CAP - is 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 V or Suspects CAP - is a way to get from A to B in a crime scene with the least amount of disruption to the scene itself This will be the only way attending staff will travel once at or in the scene

Question 35

Obtaining forensics EV from a witness at a scene. What action interviewing police take prior to interview and then state the types of physical EV that may be present

Answer 35

Some witnesses have been so proximate to events that it is likely EV was transferred to the witness from the V or S or the scene itself B4 a W is interviewed, a plan must be prepared to preserve and recover all available physical EV from the W (such as fibers/glass bodily fluids)

Question 36

Initial police arrive at a stabbing incident where the V has serious injuries and is anticipated they will die. A verbal ST is taken from the V. Under s18(1)(a) EA06 how can police satisfy the ST is admissible

Answer 36

Record any factors that demonstrate the reliability of the the ST and/or its maker. Circumstances to consider under s16(1) EA06 include: Nature of the ST Contents of the ST Circumstances relating to the MAKING of the ST Circumstances relating to the VERACITY of the person & Circumstances relating to the accuracy of the observation of the person

Question 37

Police who arrive at a serious crime scene should identify preserve and record the scene. What actions should police take to preserve the scene upon initial arrival?

Answer 37

ID & preserve the S Carry out initial assessment of the S Use a common approach path Clear the scene Arrange and brief scene guards- ensure crime S logs are used Establish adequate cordon parameters If no immediate life is at risk consider stepping plates Protect fragile exhibits and exh exposed to the elements Call for assistance/resources as necessary Make appropriate records Sketch plan/initial photographs of the scene Make accurate records and report them to OC investigation asap

Question 38

What action must police staff at the scene of a serious crime take of the media are present

Answer 38

Keep them away from the immediate CS cordon and make no comment about the incident Consult with OC investigation on arrival and explain what has happened, id media members and their location

Question 39

You are the first at the scene of a homicide and you are advised that the suspect is still present. What should be your first priority in relation to the suspect

Answer 39

The ID APPREHENSION AND ISOLATION of the S are priority. Locating the S quickly can provide the investigation with forensic and other EV that may otherwise be lost

Question 40

What procedure should you follow if suspects have been ID at the scene

Answer 40

Seperate S from other persons at the scene Consider condition of the S - injured, under the influence of D/A, suffering from medical or mental impairment Ask to remain at S and cooperate with POL. approve from scene by k9 or lawful justification If uncooperative, consider if can K9 and offence To prevent cross contamination, considering officers who have not entered the scene Caution S if required Consider searching S and S vehicle and belongings Consider searching vicinity of the S and area or route they are thought to have taken Note S appearance behaviour Record what S says and consider prelim interview if appropriate Brief OC investigation on arrival, highlight significant risks surrounding cross contamination or movement within scene

Question 41

What should the officer in charge of the initial scene brief the OC investigation on

Answer 41

What has occurred What action has been taken What has not been done What needs to be done