Initial Response Flashcards
INITIAL RESPONSE TO A HOMICIDE OR SERIOUS CRIME
Every person who undertakes actions at a serious crime scene must:
- consider the risks
- assess the situation quickly but carefully
- decide what is most important and what order to do things
Primary functions include:
- attending the scene at an early stage
- taking control of the situation
- coordinating tasks
WHAT INSTANCES CAN A HOMICIDE OFFENCE BE IDENTIFIED?
- report of a missing person
- sudden unexplained death of an infant
- unexplained death
- report of an abduction
- suicide
- fatal fire
- drug related deaths.
WHAT IS THE GENERAL INVESTIGATION MODEL AND WHAT ARE THE DUTIES?
VAWSEEPO
Victim - ID and locate
Appreciation - Make appreciation, assess personal risk and preserve lives of others
Witnesses - Locate and contain
Scene - Preserve
Exhibits - Note and preserve if would be lost or destroyed
Elements - Consider weather
Powers - ID powers available and consider executing them
Offenders - ID and apprehend
DEFINE APPRECIATION
A proven method of problem solving. It follows a series of set steps to ensure the optimum course of action is decided upon.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF APPLYING AN APPRECIATION?
- Informs all Police what they are expected to achieve
- Increases the chances of success
- Manages risk
- Reduces uncertainty
- Eliminates duplication
- Ensures nothing is overlooked
What are the steps to conduct an appreciation?
A - Aim
F - Factors
C/O - Courses Open
P - Plan
Define: Aim
A short (one line) statement which demonstrates a single objective
Define: Factors
Any circumstance or fact that could possibly have an effect on the manner in which you will achieve your desired outcome.
Define: Courses Open
A list of all the possible ways the aim could be achieved.
Define: Plan
A proposed course of action designed to put the selected course into action in order to achieve the desired aim.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO REMEMBER WHEN ADOPTING AN INVESTIGATIVE MENTALITY?
No matter what the circumstances of a death are, Police’s purpose is always to investigate thoroughly and gather sufficient evidence to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death.
When there is a delay in reporting and risk what may the complainant/informant be asked to do?
- to return to the proximity of the scene, and guard it, if it is considered safe for them to do so
- not to enter the obvious boundaries of the scene
- 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.
What are the three categories in establishing the victims medical status?
- Alive and uninjured
- Alive but injured
- Shows no signs of life
What steps should be followed at the Hospital?
1 - Get medical opinion re victim’s medical condition.
2 - Seize victims clothing and possessions as evidence.
3 - Establish victim’s ID.
4 - Obtain pre-transfusion blood sample.
What steps should be followed when the victim is showing no signs of life?
1 - Consider calling an ambulance and resus, if appropriate. Also 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
4 - Treat the ‘victim’ as a scene
