Initial Response To Homicide And Serious Crime Flashcards
List incidents that may not be initially identified as homicides?
Missing person Sudden death of an infant Unexplained death Abduction Report of violence where no fatalities are anticipated Crime scene without a body Hit and run Suicide Fatal fire Drug related death
What is the general investigation model?
VAWSEEPO
Victim - ID and locate
Appreciation - Assess personal risk and the preserve the lives of others
Witnesses - Locate and contain
Scene - Preserve the scene
Exhibits - note evidence and preserve any that would otherwise be lost or destroyed.
Elements - Consider whether ingredients of offense has been established
Powers - ID powers available and consider whether to execute them.
Offenders - ID and apprehend
What are the basic principles underpinning all serious Crime Investigations?
Appreciation process. Preserve life Preserve scene ID and apprehend suspects Secure evidence ID victim
What is the Police purpose when investigating any death?
To always investigate thoroughly and gather sufficient evidence to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death.
What information should be obtained from the initial complaint/infomant?
- Identity and location of the suspect
- A first hand account of what the complaint/informant knows.
- location of the scene
- Circumstances leading to the discovery.
- Identity of the victim
- Details of anyone else at the scene.
- Contact details of the complainant/informant.
- Demeanor of the complainant/informant.
- Relationship of the complainant/informant to the victim or suspect.
- Details of action taken by complainant/informant and where they have been.
- Details of any hazards or safety issues that may affect police approaching the scene/victim.
If there is a delay between the initial report and police arrival, what may the complainant/informant be asked to do to preserve evidence?
- Return to the proximity of the scene and guard it if safe 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 scene.
What must be done on first arrival at the scene?
- Preservation of life.
- Risk assessment
- Establish victim’s medical status
Preservation of life?
Police responders myst ensure own safety, safety of other responders, and safety of others present at the scene.
Risk assessment?
Before initial action is undertaken, OC at scene must conduct an appreciation of known information to dictate how, why, and what form initial action should take.
A reconnaissance should be conducted to establish who is present at the scene (other injured people, hidden offender).
The first priority is the safety of attending Police.
What are the 3 victim medical status’?
Alive and uninjured - proceed to preserving the scene.
Alive but injured - Call ambulance/commence resuscitation. Note original position/movements, obtain details of ambulance crew and their destination.
Victim shows no signs of life - Never assume death unless no other conclusion is possible (decomposition, mutilated). If slightest possibility of life, commence first sid.
List steps to be taken on arrival at Hospital regarding injured victim?
- Obtain medical opinion re victim’s condition.
- Seize victim’s clothing.
- Establish victim’s identity
- Obtain pre-transfusion blood sample
- Seize any discarded bandages used to cover gunshot wounds.
- Arrange firearms residue samples
- Note and photograph injuries
- DNA swabs of skin if relevant.
- Obtain details of all persons who visit or contact victim.
- Conduct scoping interview of victim.
- Conduct preliminary interview of ambulance crew and staff who treated victim.
What factors will the Court consider under S16 evidence Act 2006 in relation to a hearsay statements reliability?
- The nature of the statement.
- The content of the statement
- The circumstances relating to the making of the statement
- Circumstances relating to the veracity of the person
- Circumstances relating to the accuracy of the observation of the person.
List steps when victim shows no signs of life?
- Consider ambulance and resuscitation
- Remain with body until relieved.
- Arrange a doctor to pronounce life extinct (unless obvious)
- Treat victim as a scene
- Instruct medical staff to leave clothes on body.
- Request medical items be left in situ.
- Conduct scoping interviews with medical staff present (actions apparent cause of death, injury types).
- Ascertain if victim spoke with anyone before death.
- Record body position, lividity, obvious injuries and clothing.
- Objectively record everything observed (sight, sounds, smells).
- Record all exhibits
- Sketch a plan
- Provide full information to OC at early stage.
