Initial Response

Question 1

Possible Homicides

Answer 1

• report of a missing person
• sudden unexplained death of an infant
• unexplained death
• report of an abduction
• report of violence where no fatalities are anticipated
• crime scene without a body present
• hit and run vehicular collision
• suicide
• fatal fire
• drug related deaths.

Question 2

Initial responsibilities (VAWSEIPO)

Answer 2

Victim Identify and locate the victim(s).
Appreciation Make an initial appreciation of the incident. Assess personal risk and then preserve the lives 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).

Remember: Freeze, control, guard and preserve.

Question 3

Appreciation - Definition

Answer 3

An appreciation is a proven method of problem solving.
The process follows a series of set steps
to ensure the optimum course of action is decided upon.
It considers all appropriate factors
and weighs the benefits and risks of all alternative solutions,
allowing sound decisions to be taken.
An appreciation is an ongoing process
which involves continually thinking through
each new piece of information as it is uncovered.

Question 4

Appreciation - Benefits

Answer 4

Applying an appreciation technique can provide the following key benefits:
• Informs all Police what they are expected to achieve
• Increases the chances of success, i.e. the investigative aims/objectives being met
• Establishes a sequence of activities to be carried out
• Manages risk
• Reduces uncertainty
• Eliminates duplication
• Ensures nothing is overlooked
• Effective use of resources.

Question 5

Aim

Answer 5

An aim is a short (one line) statement which succinctly demonstrates a single objective.

Question 6

Factors

Answer 6

A factor is any circumstance or fact that could possibly have an effect on the manner in which you will achieve your desired outcome.

Further risk to life, the location of possible suspects, resources available, evidence requiring preservation, the environment and weather conditions and history of the relevant parties are all examples of factors that may determine how actions are prioritised at the scene.

Question 7

Courses open

Answer 7

Courses open are a list of all the possible ways the aim could be achieved, bearing in mind the factors and the deductions made from those factors. Advantages, disadvantages and risks of each alternative must be carefully examined and evaluated.

Question 8

Plan

Answer 8

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

Question 9

En route to scene

Answer 9

• Look out for the suspect.
• Note and consider stopping any vehicles attempting to leave the scene.
• Prioritise tasks and assign duties, e.g. VOWES, i.e. Victim, Offender, Witnesses, Exhibits and (immediate) Scene.

Question 10

At the scene

Answer 10

1. Preservation of life
2. Risk assessment
3. Establish the victim’s medical status

Question 11

o Alive but injured

Answer 11

 Call an ambulance and consider resuscitation if appropriate. If the victim has to be moved for this purpose, note the original body position and record any previous movements.
 If it is necessary for the victim to be transferred to hospital by ambulance, details of the ambulance crew and their destination must be recorded. If practicable, a detective should accompany the victim to hospital. Otherwise, a detective should attend hospital without delay.

Question 12

At hospital (11)

Answer 12

1 Obtain a medical opinion as to the victim’s current medical condition.
2 Seize the victims clothing and other possessions as evidence.
3 Establish the victim’s identity.
4 Obtain a pre-transfusion blood sample using Police Toxicology Kit containers (containers at hospitals may contain gel which can affect the results of any subsequent forensic analysis of the blood sample).
5 Seize any discarded bandages used to cover gunshot wounds, and record the position on the victim where each bandage had been applied.
6 Arrange firearms residue samples in cases where firearm use is suspected, including from the victim of any apparent suicide involving a firearm.
7 Note and photograph any injuries.
8 Arrange DNA swabs to be taken from the victim’s skin, where they would be relevant to the particular circumstances of the case.
9 Obtain details of any and all persons who visit or contact the victim.
10 Conduct a scoping interview with the victim using appropriate open questioning (i.e. TEDS) to establish what happened and who was involved; where this would not adversely affect the medical welfare of the victim.
11 Conduct a preliminary interview with ambulance and emergency staff who treated the victim, using appropriate open questioning (e.g. using TEDS) to establish what happened and who was involved.

Question 13

If it is anticipated the victim may die (statement)

Answer 13

consider recording an immediate statement, whether the victim can sign it or not. If the victim subsequently dies, their statement may be admissible in proceedings as hearsay evidence, under section 18(1) of the Evidence Act 2006. In order to be considered admissible evidence under 18(1)(a), the court must be satisfied that both the content of the statement and the person who made it, are reliable. Police taking the statement must therefore record any factors which demonstrate the reliability of the statement or its maker. 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 14

o Shows no signs of life (13)

Answer 14

The victim should not be moved any more than is necessary to establish whether the victim is alive. If the victim needs to be moved, the original position should be recorded, ideally by photograph and/or video but a sketch and description should also be completed.
Follow these steps when you discover a body.
1. Consider calling an ambulance and resuscitation, if appropriate. If the victim has to be moved for this purpose, note the original body position and record any previous movements.
2. Remain with the body until relieved by CIB or a supervisor
3. Arrange a doctor to pronounce life extinct, unless death is obvious i.e. a decapitated or badly decomposed body.
4. Treat the ‘victim’ as a scene (do not move the body unnecessarily).
5. Instruct medical staff to leave clothes on the body
6. If medical treatment has been given then request that connecting tubes, needles, bandages and other medical items are left ‘in situ’
7. If possible, conduct scoping interviews with medical staff who treated the victim and establish their actions, apparent cause of death and injury type(s).
8. Ascertain if the victim spoke to anyone before death and record what was said.
9. Record body position, lividity (gravitational settling of the blood), obvious injuries and clothing.
10. Objectively record everything observed using all senses, including sight, sound and smell. Include what is considered unimportant or non-evidential as after further investigation, such information may become relevant.
11. Record all exhibits.
12. Sketch a plan including the position of the body and position of exhibits.
13. Provide full information to the OC Investigation, at an early stage.

Question 15

Initial action to preserve a scene - Identify (9)

Answer 15

• Gather information and carry out an initial assessment of the scene.
• Consider your warrantless powers to deal with evidential material in respect of serious offences, pursuant to the Search and Surveillance Act 2012 .
• Establish the ‘Crime Scene’ itself. Extend parameters as widely as possible, thinking beyond where the body is found to capture any exhibits, weapons or items the suspect may have discarded.
• Consider possible approach paths and establish a Common Approach Path (CAP) for all movements into and out of the scene; using a path which avoids any route possibly taken to and from the scene by the suspect(s) or the victim.
• Consider other ‘related’ crime scenes.
• What is happening at the scene and who is there?
• Note and record observations.
• Establish a scene headquarters, and safe arrival / assembly points.
• Provide a SITREP/SFP to Comms and obtain acknowledgement.

Question 16

Initial action to preserve a scene - Secure (7)

Answer 16

• Where necessary, exercise powers to secure the scene pursuant to section 116 of the Search and Surveillance Act 2012.
• Effect removal of all persons within the scene in a way that causes a minimum of disturbance to the scene. For example by using the CAP and ensuring witness don’t disturb or remove anything from the scene.
• Establish cordoned parameters using Police emergency tape.
• Arrange and brief scene guards with clearly defined duties using Police employees or civilian security guards, as per local policy. If necessary, reliable members of the public may initially act as guards until further Police arrive.
• Arrange Crime Scene Logs.
• Prevent unauthorised persons from entering or leaving the scene.
• Prevent any further loss or damage to evidence caused by adverse weather or other factors, such as animals.

Question 17

Initial action to preserve a scene - Preserve (5)

Answer 17

• Consider the best path into the scene.
• Record any movements/action taken in the scene
• Preserve what is there and leave it ‘in situ’. Ensure nothing is touched or moved. The scene must be kept in its original state.
• If no immediate life is at risk, consider using stepping plates.
• Be prepared to take immediate action to preserve and/or record evidence that may change if nothing is done. For example, rain may damage a footprint or bloodstain.

Question 18

Initial action to preserve a scene - Consider

Answer 18

• If initial photographs of the scene and persons present are necessary.

Question 19

Initial action to preserve a scene - Record (6)

Answer 19

• The integrity of the scene by establishing and maintaining a crime scene log of movements, names, times and reasons for entry and exit to the scene. A template Crime Scene Log is included in the Serious Crime Template.
• Observe and record full notes of precise details of the scene, particularly the location of the victim.
• Complete a sketch of the scene.
• Photograph the scene and consider using video recording.
• Identify anything which is moved, noting the original and eventual positions.
• Make an accurate record of these facts and report them to the OC Investigation at an early stage.

Question 20

Crime scene logs (4)

Answer 20

Purpose - A scene guard and the log maintained by that person, is employed in order to ensure:

• there is no unauthorised entry into the scene
• integrity of evidence or potential evidence is secured
• intelligence opportunities are maximised
• contamination issues are managed.

Question 21

Scene guard duties (11)

Answer 21

1. Secure scene - Deny any person access to the scene, unless they are expressly authorised to enter by the Officer in Charge of the Investigation or the Crime Scene Co-ordinator/OC Scene.

2. Record details - Maintain a crime scene log and note for every person authorised to enter the scene:
•	name and designation
•	authority to enter the scene
•	purpose of the visit
•	time of entry and time of exit.

3. Control movements - Ensure everyone entering the scene is directed to the Common Approach Path to be followed and is supervised during the visit.
4. Record movements - Record all movement and vehicle details to, from and near the scene, in the crime scene log.
5. Brief others - Promptly communicate any relevant information received to the OC Scene or Crime Scene Co-ordinator (as appropriate).
6. Avoid disturbance - Do not personally enter, contaminate or interfere with the scene, e.g., using toilet facilities, making coffee, etc.
7. Protect scene - Be vigilant for activity such as the presence of any animals which may feed on body tissue etc. Remain on duty until relieved by the oncoming scene guard.
8. Brief replacement - Brief the oncoming Scene Guard on all relevant matters and hand on the crime scene log.
9. Respect security - Do not discuss events or the crime with witnesses, bystanders or members of the media.
10. Demonstrate courtesy - Use tact and courtesy when dealing with civilian witnesses and crowds.
11. Inform others - Report any actions taken to the OC Scene or Crime Scene Co-ordinator as appropriate.

Question 22

Witnesses at the scene (8)

Answer 22

The steps will assist in obtaining key material from witnesses.

1. Obtain full details of all persons present at the scene.
2. Assemble people in a clear area, ensuring a police officer remains with them.
3. If possible, isolate witnesses from one another to reduce the likelihood of contamination and/or collusion. Explain this rationale to the witnesses.
4. Identify witnesses and conduct a brief scoping interview, using open TEDS questioning. Include descriptions of other persons mentioned.
5. Establish whether any persons have left the area.
6. If the witness has made telephone calls from the scene, establish the numbers such calls were made from and to, and who answered. This may verify accounts and times.
7. Record registration numbers of nearby vehicles to establish which drivers/passengers may have been in the area.
8. Seize any CCTV relevant to the vicinity/routes to establish who may have been in the area at the relevant time.

Question 23

Suspects at the scene (11)

Answer 23

1. Separate suspects from other persons at the scene.
2. 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.
3. Ask them to remain at the scene and to co-operate with police. As soon as possible, remove the suspect from the scene by consent or with lawful justification.
4. If the suspect refuses to co-operate, consider whether grounds exist to arrest them and what the most appropriate offence will be.
5. To prevent cross contamination issues, consider using officers who have not entered the scene to manage the suspect, if available.
6. Consider searching the suspect and the suspect’s vehicle and belongings to prevent the disposal of evidence and for the searcher’s safety, pursuant to the Search and Surveillance Act 2012.
7. 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.
8. Note the suspect’s appearance and behaviour. For example: do they appear edgy, shocked or agitated? Are their clothes ripped and/or stained?
9. Record everything the suspect says and if appropriate, consider conducting a preliminary interview in accordance with the ‘Investigative interviewing suspect guide’.
10. Whenever possible, interviewing of suspects should be recorded on video in accordance with the ‘Investigative interviewing suspect guide’.
11. Brief the OC Investigation on their arrival, highlighting any significant risks surrounding cross-contamination or movement within or near the scene.

Question 24

OC Investigation and the initial response

Answer 24

The OC Investigation will expect a briefing from the officer in initial charge of the incident, as to:
•	What has occurred?
•	What action has been taken?
•	What has not been done?
•	What needs to be done?