Initial Response To Homicide Or Serious Crime

Question 1

First on scene

Answer 1

The first police on scene are OC investigation until relieved by OC investigation, CIB or a supervisor.

Their primary functions include;

• attending the scene at an early stage
• taking control of the situation
• co-ordinating tasks

Question 2

Health and safety

Answer 2

Maximising safety and eliminating or minimising risk is the responsibility of all Police Employees and persons engaged by police to provide a service.

A key enabler is the TENR operational threat assessment in the work place.

Persons in the workplace will, as far as reasonable, comply with the health and safety act 2015

Question 3

Identification of homicide cases

Answer 3

Most homicide cases are identified by a body being found. Other times may not be so apparent. Such instances include-

• 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 4

Initial responsibilities-

Answer 4

VAWSEEPO
(V)ictim-identify and locate the victims
(A)ppreciation- make an initial appreciation of the incident. Assess personal risk and then preserve the lives of others/
(W)itnesses- Locate and contain witnesses
(S)cene- preserve the scene (eg set boundaries)
(E)xhibits- note evidence and preserve any that would otherwise be lost or destroyed.
(E)lements- Consider whether the ingredients of the alleged offence have been established.
(P)owers- identify what powers are available and consider whether to execute them.
(O)ffenders- identify and apprehend suspects

Remember- Frezze,Control, Guard and Preserve

Question 5

Benefits of an appreciation

Answer 5

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

Question 6

(A)FCP

Answer 6

Aim-
A short one line statement which demonstrates a single objective

Must be clear, accurate and concise. It must be chosen carefully as not to produce the wrong result.

The aim should be kept in mind when making decisions

Question 7

A(F)CO

Answer 7

Factors-
A factor is a fact or circumstance that may effect how you achieve your outcome.

Factor-so what-therefore-deduction

Question 8

AF(C)O

Answer 8

Courses Open
A list of all the possible ways the aim could be achieved, bearing in mind the factors and the deductions made from those factors.

Question 9

AFC(P)

Answer 9

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

Must be-

1. The logical outcome of the appreciation
2. Clear, concise and leaves no room for misinterpretation
3. designed to avoid introducing matters not previously considered by the appreciation
4. Consistently considerate of safety issues
5. Recorded
6. Delivered to staff using SMEAC

Question 10

Complainants/informants

Answer 10

Every effort should be made to obtain-

1. Identity and location of the suspect
2. A first hand account of what the complainant/informant knows.
3. Precise details of the location of the scene.
4. Circumstances leading to the discovery.
5. Identity if the victim
6. Details of anyone else at the scene.
7. Full contact details of the
   complainant/informant
8. Relationship of the complaint/informant to the victim/suspect
9. Details of actions the complainant/informant has taken and where they have been.
10. Details of any hazards or safety issues that may affect police approaching the scene/victim.

Question 11

If delays in attending the scene it may be appropriate to ask the informant/complainant to-

Answer 11

1. Return to the proximity of the scene and guard it if it is safe to do so
2. Not to enter the obvious boundaries of the scene
3. Not to touch or move anything
4. Prevent others from entering or touching the scene
5. Await police arrival and identify themselves to first police on scene

Question 12

Complainants/ informants

Initial contact

Answer 12

Officers who have first contact with informants/ complainants should take great care in recording what the complainant/informant says, their demeanour and clothing.

These notes could become critical if the complainant/informant becomes a suspect

Question 13

Establish the victims medical status

Answer 13

Alive and uninjured / Alive but injured / Shows no sign of life

Question 14

Preservation of life

Answer 14

Responders must ensure the safety of themselves, other responders and that of others present at the scene

Question 15

Risk assessment

Answer 15

Those in charge must conduct an appreciation of known information to dictate how initial action will be conducted.

Subject to the appreciation of risk a reconnaissance should be conducted to establish who is present at the scene. Consider other injured persons or a hidden offender.

Question 16

On arrival at hospital the detective should-

Answer 16

1. Obtain a medical opinion as to the victims current medical condition.
2. Seize the victims clothing and other possessions as evidence.
3. Establish the Victims identity.
4. Obtain a pre-transfusion blood sample using police toxicology kit (hospital containers may effect results)
5. Seize any discarded bandages used to cover gunshot wounds and record where each bandage had been applied.
6. Arrange firearms residue samples in cases where firearms are suspected, including from the Victim of any apparent suicide involving firearms.
7. Note and photograph any injuries.
8. Arrange DNA swabs to be taken from the victims skin, where they would be relevant to the particular circumstances of the case.
9. Obtain details of all persons who contact or visit the Victim.
10. Conduct a scoping interview with the victim. Consider recording an immediate statement in case the victim dies.
11. Conduct a preliminary interview with with ambulance and emergency staff.

Question 17

When you discover a body-

Answer 17

Police must act to preserve life never assume a person is dead unless no other conclusion is possible. The victim should not be moved any more than is necessary to preserve life. Follow these steps-

1. Consider calling an ambulance and resuscitation. Note the victims original position.
2. Remain with the body until relieved by CIB/ supervisor.
3. Arrange a doctor to pronounce life extinct unless obvious.
4. Treat the victim as a scene, do not move unless necessary.
5. Instruct medical staff to leave clothes in the body.
6. If medical treatment is given request medical items are left in place.
7. If possible conduct scoping interviews with medical staff. Establish action taken injuries and apparent cause of death.
8. Ascertain if the victim spoke to anyone before death and record what was said.
9. Record body position, lividity, obvious injuries and clothing.
10. Objectively record everything observed using all senses. Include what is considered unimportant or non-evidential.
11. Record all exhibits.
12. sketch a plan including the position of the body and position of exhibits.
13. Provide all information the office investigation at an early stage.

Question 18

I.A to preserve a scene

Answer 18

ISPCR

Identify- carry out an initial assessment. Establish the crime scene. Note and record observations. Provide a sitrep.

Secure- use search and surveillance powers where necessary. Arrange and brief scene guards. Arrange crime scene log and prevent any further loss or damage to evidence.

Preserve- consider the best path into the scene. Record any movement. Preserve what is there and leave in situ. If no immediate risk to life consider stepping plates. BPT take action to preserve evidence that is at risk.

Consider- if initial photographs of the scene and persons present are necessary.

Record- crime scene log, observe and record full notes of details of the scene, particularly the location of the victim. Complete a scene sketch. Photograph the scene and consider video recording. Identify anything that has been moved. Record these facts and present to OC investigation.

Question 19

Crime Scene Log

Answer 19

Records details, time and purpose of all persons who enter, attempt to enter or leave a crime scene as well as other activity.
Ensures-no unauthorised entry into a scene, integrity of evidence or potential evidence is secured, intelligence opportunities are maximised, contamination issues are managed.

Question 20

Scene guard duties

Answer 20

11 duties

1. Secure scene
2. Record details-name and designation, authority to enter the scene, purpose of the visit, time of entry and time of exit
3. Control movement- ensure common approach path is followed
4. Record movements- movement and vehicles to from and around the scene
5. Brief others- communicate information to oc crime scene
6. Avoid disturbance - do not enter or interfere with the scene
7. Protect scene - be vigilant
8. Brief replacement - brief oncoming scene guard. Hand over crime log.
9. Respect security- do not discuss events of the crime with witnesses/ by Standers / media
10. Demonstrate courtesy - use tact when dealing with civilians/ crowds
11. Inform others - report any action to the oc scene

Question 21

Witnesses at the scene

Answer 21

8 steps

1. Obtain full particulars of all present at the scene
2. Assemble on a clear area and keep an officer with them.
3. Where possible isolate from each other. Explain due to reducing risk of forensic contamination and collusion.
4. Identify witnesses and conduct a scoping interview. Include TEDS and descriptions.
5. Establish whether any persons have left the area.
6. If the witness has made telephone calls establish numbers called and who answered. This verifies accounts and times.
7. Record registration numbers of vehicles. Helps place others in area.
8. Seize any cctv.

Question 22

Suspects at the scene

Answer 22

1. Seperate from other persons
2. Consider their condition (injured/ drunk/high)
3. Ask to remain and cooperate with police. Remove ASAP from the scene by consent or lawful
   Justification.
4. If suspect refuses to cooperate consider arrest of possible
5. To prevent cross contamination uses officers who haven’t dealt with the scene to manage the suspect.
6. Caution the suspect where required.
7. Consider searching the suspect and suspects vehicle to prevent CADD and for officers safety.
8. Consider searching the vicinity of the suspect and the area and route they are thought to have taken to locate secreted evidence.
9. Note suspects appearance and behaviour.
10. Record everything the suspect says. And if appropriate consider a preliminary interview.
11. Whenever possible interviewing suspects should be recorded on video.
12. Brief OC investigation highlighting risk around cross contamination

Question 23

OC investigation and initial response

Answer 23

Brief-
What has occurred
What action has been taken
What has not been done
What needs to be done