Initial Response

Question 1

What are the primary functions of initial response to homicide or serious crime?

Answer 1

Attending the scene at an early stage
Taking control of the situation AND
Coordinating tasks.

Question 2

What are some situations where the incident do not present as a homicide?

Answer 2

• Missing Person
• Unexplained infant death
• Unexplained death
• Reports of abduction
• Reports of violence where death is not anticipated
• Crime Scene without a body
• Hit and Run vehicle collision
• Suicide
• Fatal Fire
• Drug Related deaths

Question 3

What is the general investigation model?

Answer 3

Victim- Identify and locate all victims

Appreciation - Make an initial appreciation of the incident. Assess the potential risk to self and the preserve lives of others.

Witnesses - Locate and contain witnesses

Scene - Preserve the scene (Set…boundaries)

Exhibits - Note evidence and preserve any that would otherwise be lost or destroyed.

Ingredients - Consider whether all of the ingredients of all the alleged offence are established

Powers - Consider what statutory powers are available and whether they are required to be exercised.

Offender - Identify and apprehend suspect(s)

Question 4

What are the basic principles underpinning all serious investigations?

Answer 4

• Appreciation Process
  
  • Preserve Life / Preserve Scene
  • Identify & apprehend Suspects / Secure Scene /
    Identify Victim

Question 5

What is the appreciation process?

Answer 5

It is a proven problem solving method. A series of steps taken 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 6

What are the key benefits of applying the appreciation technique?

Answer 6

They can provide:

• Informs all Police what they are expected to achieve
• Increases the chances of success ie aims / objectives
  being met.
• Establishes a sequence of activities to be carried out.
• Manages Risks
• Reduces uncertainty
• Eliminates duplication
• Ensures nothing is overlooked
• Effective use of resources

Question 7

What is the definition of “factor” in the appreciation technique?

Answer 7

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
• possible suspects
• Resources available
• evidence requiring preservation
• the environment and weather conditions
• relevant history the relevant parties

These are all examples of factors that may determine how actions are prioritised at the scene.

Question 8

How do you go about processing a “Factor”? (Technique)

Answer 8

• Ask the question: “So what? what does this mean?” in order to thoroughly examine each factor and draw logical conclusions from it
• The answer to this question leads to a logical conclusion or conclusions
• Any deductions made must in turn be examined themselves, to see whether they in turn will yield further deductions and so on.

Question 9

What are the steps for the appreciation technique?

Answer 9

1. Aim
2. Factors
3. Courses Open
4. Plan

Question 10

What is the definition and techinique of AIM?

Answer 10

Def: An AIM is a short statement which succinctly demonstrates a single objective.

Technique:

The aim must be clear, concise and accurate. It must be chosen correctly as the wrong aim will produce the wrong result.

It must be borne in mind at all times, particularly when making decisions.

Question 11

What is definition for Courses Open?

Answer 11

It is a list of all possible ways the aim could be achieved

bearing in mind the factors and the deductions made from those factors.

Question 12

What is the technique to Courses Open?

Answer 12

Advantages, disadvantages and risks of each alternative must be carefully examined and evaluated.

These questions must be asked:

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

Question 13

What is the definition of PLAN?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What is the technique of PLAN?

Answer 14

A plan must be:

• Logical outcome of the APPRECIATION
• Clear, concise and leaves no room for misinterpretation
• Designed to avoid introducing matters not previously considered by the appreciation.
• Consistently considerate of safety issues
• Recorded
• Delivered to staff using the SMEAC format.

Question 15

Due to delay between reporting and police arrival the complainant/Informant may be asked to?

Answer 15

• Return to the proximity of scene / guard it if it is
  considered safe for them to do so
• not to enter the obvious boundaries
• not to touch or move anything
• to prevent others from entering or touching the scene
• to await Police arrival and identify themselves to the
  first Police at the scene.

Question 16

After ensuring the safety of those present at the scene,

the next priority is to establish the physical condition of the Victim, what are the three categories this falls into?

Answer 16

• ALIVE and uninjured.
• ALIVE by injured.
• Shows no signs of life.

Question 17

What the steps to initial action to preserve a SCENE?

Answer 17

1. Identify (Scene)
2. Secure
3. Preserve
4. Consider (Photographs of scene / persons if necessary)
5. Record

Question 18

What action should you do to preserve the SCENE on initial action?

Answer 18

• 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 19

What is the purpose of a scene guard?

Answer 19

To ensure:

• no unauthorised entry into scene
• integrity of evidence Or potential evidence is secured
• intelligence opportunities are maximized
• contamination issues are managed

Question 20

What details should be recorded at for a scene log:

Answer 20

• Name and designation
• Authority to enter scene
• Purpose of the Visit
• Time of entry and time of exit

Question 21

What are the steps in dealing with suspects at the scene?

Answer 21

1. Separate from others at scene
2. Consider condition of suspect, injured, intoxicated, medical or mental impairment or other special consideration.
3. Talk to remain / co-operative with Police. ASAP
   remove by consent or lawful justification.
4. If suspect refuses to cooperative consider grounds exist to arrest them and what the most appropriate offence with be.
5. To prevent cross contamination issues, consider using officers who have not entered the scene to manage the suspect if available.
6. Arrest - caution
7. Consider searching the suspect and the suspect’s vehicle and belongings to prevent the disposal of evidence - safety and S & S 2012
8. 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.
9. Note the suspect’s appearance and behaviour. Edgy, shocked or agitated. Clothes ripped and/or stained.
10. Record everything the suspect says and if appropriate, consider conducting a preliminary interview in accordance with the Investigative interviewing suspect guide.
11. DVD recorded
12. Update OC Investigation on upon, highlighting significant risks surrounding cross-contamination or movement within or near the scene.

Question 22

In relation to checklist, what should be done when dealing with identifying and preserving the scene?

Answer 22

1 - Carry out an INITIAL assessment of the scene
2 - Use a COMMON APPROACH PATH
3 - CLEAR the scene
4 - Arrange and brief scene guards. Ensure crime scene
logs are used.
5 - Establish adequate CORDON parameters.
6 - If no immediate life is at risk, consider using stepping
plates.
7- Protect fragile exhibits and any exhibits exposed to
the element.
8 - Call for assistance / Resources as necessary
9 - Make appropriate records, i.e who what where when
why how
10 - Sketch Plan
11 - Make accurate records and report them to the O/C
Investigation as soon as possible.

Question 23

How should you deal with Media at the scene?

Answer 23

Make no comment and keep them away from the immediate crime scene cordon. Consult with the OC Investigation on arrival and explain what has happened, identify media members and where they are located.