Initial Response

Question 1

What are the primary functions of the initial police responders at a serious crime scene?

Answer 1

Attending the scene at an early stage
Taking control of the situation; and
Coordinating tasks

Question 2

Reasoned positive action during the initial stages of an investigation can?
.

Answer 2

Minimise any loss and maximise opportunities to secure relevant information, such as intelligence and admissible evidence

Question 3

All Police who initially attend the scene must record?

Answer 3

OAT

O - Observations
A - Any alterations made to the scene
T - Their actions

Question 4

Describe four matters that must be recorded in a crime scene log to maintain the integrity of the crime scene?
NAME Purpose

Answer 4

N - Name and designation 
A - Authority to enter the scene 
M - Movements
E - Entry and exit time
P - Purpose of the visit

Question 5

While most offences of homicide are identified as a result of a body being found, or by a person responsible for the offence making admissions, some incidents notified to the police are not initially identifiable as a homicide. Describe four such incidents?

Answer 5

USSR CARD FH

U - Unexplained death 
S - Suicide 
S - Sudden unexplained death of an infant
R - Report of a missing person 
C - Crime scene without a body present
A- Report of an Abduction 
R - Report of violence where no fatalities are anticipated
D - Drug related deaths
F - Fatal fire 
H - Hit and run vehicle collision

Question 6

What does VAWSEIPO stand for in the general investigation model?

Answer 6

• Victim - Identify and locate the victim(s)
• Appreciation - Make an initial appreciation of the incident. Assess personal risk and then preserve the live of others
• Witnesses - Locate and contain witnesses
  Scene - Preserve the scene (e.g. Set boundaries)
• Exhibits - Note evidence and preserve any that would otherwise be lost or destroyed
• Ingredients - Consider whether the ingredients of the alleged offence have been established
• Powers - Identify what powers are available and consider whether to execute them
• Offenders - Identify and apprehend suspect(s)

Question 7

Establish the victim’s medical status: What is the first thing to consider when undertaking a course of action at a serious crime scene?

Answer 7

Ensure the safety of those present
Establish the physical condition of the victim:

1. Alive and uninjured
2. Alive but injured
3. Shows no signs of life

Question 8

If the victim is injured at the scene you should?

Answer 8

CNTMSIPBFPDVAP
C • Call an ambulance and consider resuscitation if appropriate
N • If the victim is move note original position
T • If necessary transport victim to hospital by ambulance, record ambulance crews details and their destination, if practicable a detective should accompany the victim to the hospital or attend the hospital without delay
M • At the hospital obtain a medical opinion to the victim current medical condition
S • Seize victims clothing and other possessions as evidence
I • Establish victims ID
P • Obtain a pre-transfusion blood sample using police toxicology kit
B • Seize any discarded bandages used to cover gunshot wounds, and recorded the position where the bandage was applied on the victim
F • Arrange firearm residue samples in case where firearms use is suspected
P • Note and photograph any injuries
D • Arrange DNA swabs to be taken from the victims skin, if relevant
V • Obtain details of all person that visited or contacted the victim
A • If it is anticipated the victim may die, consider recording an immediate statement, if the victim dies their statement maybe admissible as hearsay evidence s18(1) EA 06 record any factors / circumstances that demonstrate the statements reliability.
P • Conduct a preliminary interview with ambulance and emergency staff who treated the victim, to establish what happened or who was involved.

Question 9

Appreciation:

Answer 9

Police attending a serious crime incident must make an appreciation before making decisions and prioritising tasks.
Good decisions are not a matter of luck or guesswork, they are the outcome of a process of logical reasoning and careful consideration.

Question 10

When making an appreciation and assessing the advantages and disadvantages of the courses open, what questions must be asked?

Answer 10

1. What are the possible results or consequences of each alternative?
2. Which alternatives is the most appropriate way to reach the objective?
   * From these considerations, decide on the most appropriate course to achieve your aim.

Question 11

Benefits of an appreciation:

Answer 11

IIEMREEE

1. Informs all Police what they are expected to achieve
2. Increases chances of success
3. Establishes a sequence of activities to be carried out
4. Manages risk
5. Reduces uncertainty
6. Eliminates duplication
7. Ensures nothing is overlooked
8. Effective use of resources

Question 12

A plan must be?

Answer 12

LCDSRG

L • the logical outcome of the
Appreciation
C • clear, concise and leaves no room for misinterpretation
D • designed to avoid introducing matters
not previously considered by the appreciation
S • consistently considerate of safety issues
R • recorded
G • delivered to staff using the ‘GSMEAC’ format, ie. Ground, Situation, Mission, Execution, Administration & Logistics and Command & Signals.

Question 13

The person reporting the incident is a critical witness in an investigation. Every effort should be made to obtain?

Answer 13

RICH ADD FLIC

R • Relationship of the complainant/informant, to the victim or suspect
I • ID of the victim
C • full contact details of the complainant/informant
H • Hazards or safety issues that may affect Police approaching the scene/victim.

A • Action the complainant/informant has taken and where they have been
D • details of anyone else at the scene
D • demeanour of the complainant/informant

F • a first hand account of what the complainant/informant knows
L • precise details of the location of the scene
I • identity and location of the suspect
C • circumstances leading to the discovery

Question 14

Initial response police at a serious crime incident must make a risk assessment. Why should a reconnaissance of the scene be conducted?

Answer 14

Subject to the appreciation of risks, a reconnaissance should be conducted to establish who is present at the scene. This may include other injured people, or a hidden offender

Question 15

Describe the reasons for the OC investigations, OC area canvass and OC suspects visiting the external or general scene of a serious crime?

Answer 15

To make a reconnaissance of the area, conduct an appreciation and set the parameters and objectives of the canvass.

This will also provide a clear perspective of the area, when it is referred to subsequently in statements and/or briefings.

Question 16

If recording a dying statement at Hospital what factors need to be considered as to whether the statement is admissable

Answer 16

The circumstances to consider under section 16(1) of the Evidence Act 2006, include:
• 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 the person; and
• Circumstances relating to the accuracy of the observation of the person

Question 17

Procedure for suspects at the scene

Answer 17

SCARR PASS A RIB

S • Separate suspect from other persons at the scene
C • Consider the condition of the suspect, whether they are injured, under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or suffer from a medical or mental impairment or other special consideration.
A • Ask to remain and cooperate with Police.
R - As soon as possible remove from scene by consent or with lawful justification
R • If the suspect refuses to co-operate, consider whether grounds exist to arrest them and what the most appropriate offence will be.
P • To prevent cross contamination issues, consider using officers who have not entered the scene to manage the suspect, if available.
A • If arrested or detained formally caution the suspect
S • Consider searching the suspect and the suspect’s vehicle and belongings to prevent the disposal of evidence and for the searcher’s safety, under SSA 12
S • Consider searching the vicinity of the suspect and the area or route they are thought to have taken, in order to recover discarded or secreted evidence.
A • Note the suspect’s appearance and behaviour. For example: do they appear edgy, shocked or agitated? Are their clothes ripped and/or stained?
R • Record everything the suspect says and if appropriate, consider conducting a preliminary interview
I • Whenever possible, interviewing of suspects should be recorded on video
B • Brief the OC Investigation on their arrival.

Question 18

Media:

Answer 18

If members of the media are present at the scene, keep them away from the immediate crime scene cordon and make no comment about the incident.

Consult with the OC Investigation on arrival and explain what has happened, identify media members and where they are located.

Question 19

Describe who is responsible during an investigation for determining the status of a person as a suspect, person of interest, witness or victim?

Answer 19

Responsibility for determining the status of a person within the investigation whether as a suspect, person of interest, witness or victim rests with the OC Investigation.