Initial Response to Homicide or Serious Crime Flashcards
Initial Police Responders
Primary Functions
(ATC)
- Attending the scene at an early stage
- Taking control of the situation
- Coordinating tasks
Identification of homicide cases
Some incidents notified to the police are not initially identifiable as a homicide.
Such instances may include:
- Suicide
- Fatal fire
- Missing person
- Drug related death
Initial Responsibilities
VAWSEEPO
Victim - Identify and locate victim
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
Elements - Consider whether the elements 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)
Appreciation
Definition
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.
Appreciation
Benefits
(MEER)
- Manages risk
- Eliminates duplication
- Ensures nothing is overlooked
- Reduces uncertainty
Steps of an Appreciation
AFCOOP
Aim - a short (one line) statement which succinctly demonstrates a single objective
Factors - any circumstance or fact that could possibly have an effect on the manner in which you will achieve your desired outcome
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
Outline Plan - a proposed course of action designed to put the selected course into action in order to achieve the desired aim
Adopting an investigative mentality
Police’s purpose at a death
To always investigate thoroughly and gather sufficient evidence to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death
Informant/complainant
What information to obtain from the informant/complainant
(RIIF)
- Relationship to the victim or suspect
- Identity and location of the suspect
- Identity of the victim
- Full contact details
Victim’s medical status
Three categories
- Alive and uninjured
- Alive but injured
- Shows no signs of life
What must be done if the victim requires resuscitation?
If the victim has to be moved, note the original body position and record any previous movements.
What must be recorded if it is necessary for the victim to be transferred to hospital by ambulance?
Details of the ambulance crew and their destination.
Alive but injured
What to do on arrival at hospital - Victim
(NEO)
- Note and photograph any injuries
- Establish the victim’s identity
- Obtain a medical opinion as to the victim’s current medical condition
Alive but injured
What to do on arrival at hospital - Exhibits
(BARDS CE)
- Seize any discarded Bandages used to cover gunshot wounds, and record the position on the victim where each bandage had been Applied
- Arrange firearms Residue samples in cases where firearm use is suspected, including from the victim of any apparent suicide involving a firearm.
- Arrange DNA swabs to be taken from the victim’s skin, where they would be relevant to the particular circumstances of the case
- Obtain a pre-transfusion blood Sample using Police Toxicology Kit containers
- Seize the victims Clothing and other possessions as Evidence.
Alive but injured
What to do on arrival at hospital - Witnesses
(DAS)
- Obtain Details of any and all persons who visit or contact the victim
- Interview Ambulance and emergency staff who treated the victim using TEDS
- Conduct a Scoping interview with the victim using TEDS to establish what happened and who was involved
Shows no signs of life
What to do when you discover a body - Body
(CMART)
- 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
- Arrange a doctor to pronounce life extinct, unless death is obvious
- Remain with the body until relieved by CIB or a supervisor
- Treat the ‘victim’ as a scene (do not move the body unnecessarily).
Shows no signs of life
What to do when you discover a body - Medical
(CLASI)
- Instruct medical staff to leave Clothes on the body
- Request that connecting medical items including tubes, needles, bandages are Left ‘in situ’
- Ascertain if the victim Spoke to anyone before death and record what was said.
- If possible, conduct scoping Interviews with medical staff who treated the victim and establish their actions, apparent cause of death and injury type(s).
Shows no signs of life
What to do when you discover a body - Record
(PROBI)
- Plan - sketch a Plan including the position of the body and position of exhibits.
- Record all exhibits.
- Objectively record everything observed using all senses, including sight, sound and smell
- Record Body position, lividity, obvious injuries and clothing.
- Provide full Information to the OC Investigation, at an early stage.
Initial action to preserve scene
(ISPCR)
- Identify - scene, common approach path, other scenes
- Secure - cordon, remove persons, guard
- Preserve - leave in situ, take immediate action where necessary, common approach path, record movements
- Consider - if photos are necessary
- Record - scene log, sketch scene, photos, anything that has been moved
Scene Logs
A scene guard and the log maintained by that person, is employed in order to ensure:
(TICI)
- There is no unauthorised entry into the scene
- Integrity of evidence or potential evidence is secured
- Contamination issues are managed
- Intelligence opportunities are maximised
Scene guard duties
(RIPR)
- Record details, movements
- Brief and Inform others, brief replacement
- Secure, control and Protect scene
- Respect security and show courtesy
Initial questioning of a witness - Incident
- What happened
- Where exactly the incident happened
- When it happened
- Who was involved
Initial questioning of a witness - Actions taken
- What the witness did
- Where the witness went
- What the witness touched
- Who touched the witness
Initial questioning of a witness - Others involved
- Who else was present
- Descriptions of those present
- What did those other people present say/do
Obtaining forensic evidence from a witness at a scene
The plan to preserve and recover evidence from a forensically important witness should consider the following:
(AT STEP-IS)
- Immediate DNA swabs of any Areas of the witness that the suspect may have Touched
- Immediate swabs of any other relevant STains present on the witness
- Forensic medical Examination, i.e. fingernail scrapings, hair combing etc
- Seizure of any Property touched by the suspect
- Immediate DNA swabs of any blood present on the witness
- Seizure of clothing and footwear.
Of note
Before the witness being interviewed, a plan must be prepared to preserve and recover all available physical evidence from the witness, such as fibres, body fluids, glass or other material.
What are some other considerations that should be made when encountering witnesses at the scene?
(VIPP)
- Use different Vehicles and Interview rooms to those used by other witnesses, the victim, or suspect(s)
- Photographing witnesses at the scene enables future identification of witnesses eg, to assist with CCTV enquiries
- Photograph any injuries suffered by witnesses.
Obtaining key material from witnesses
Steps to follow - Control
(DAISD)
- Details - obtain personal details from all witnesses
- Assemble people in a clear area, ensuring a police officer remains with them
- Isolate witnesses from one another to reduce the likelihood of contamination
- Scoping TEDS Interview - conduct with witnesses using TEDS questioning.
Obtaining key material from witnesses
Steps to follow - Key material
(LA-CRC)
- Establish whether any persons have Left the Area
- If the witness has made Calls from the scene, establish the numbers such calls were made from and to, and who answered. This may verify accounts and times
- Record Registration numbers of nearby vehicles
- Seize any CCTV relevant to the vicinity.
Procedures for suspects at the scene
Steps to follow - At Scene
(SCAA)
- Separate suspects from other persons at the scene
- Consider the Condition of the suspect - injured, under the influence etc
- Ask them to remain at the scene and to cooperate with police
- If the suspect refuses to cooperate, consider whether grounds exist to Arrest them and what the most appropriate offence will be.
Procedures for suspects at the scene
Steps to follow - Caution and Search
(CSV)
- Caution - use where required
- Search - the suspect and their vehicle
- Vicinity - Consider searching the vicinity of the suspect in order to recover discarded or secreted evidence.
Procedures for suspects at the scene
Steps to follow - Record
(NARS-V)
- Note the suspect’s Appearance and behaviour.
- Record everything the suspect Says
- Interviewing of suspects should be recorded on Video
Procedures for suspects at the scene
Steps to follow - Manage contamination
- To prevent cross contamination issues, consider using officers who have not entered the scene to manage the suspect, if available.
- Brief the OC Investigation on their arrival, highlighting any significant risks surrounding cross-contamination or movement within or near the scene.
Briefing the OC Investigation
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?
What is the first priority when attending the scene of a homicide or serious crime?
The first priority will always be to ensure the safety of the attending Police members.
Initial action at a crime scene - Before attending scene
(ACID)
- Make an Appreciation of the incident
- Consider requesting the Complainant to assist/observe, if safe to do so
- Obtain all available Information
- Develop a plan to progress the inquiry, considering the relevant risks
Initial action at a crime scene - Enroute to the scene
(LNP)
- Look out for the suspect
- Note and consider stopping any vehicles attempting to leave the scene
- Prioritise tasks and assign duties
Initial action at a crime scene - On arrival at scene
(LGE-GE)
- Log arrival with Comms
- Gather information and conduct an appreciation
- Ensure the safety of yourself, colleagues, victim and others
- Give a SITREP to Comms, and provide an SFP if necessary
- Establish a single clear CAP into and out of the scene
Initial action at a crime scene - Encountering the scene
(TUC)
- Take control of the scene
- Use SSA if appropriate
- Clear the scene of persons and if possible, contain them nearby
Initial action at a crime scene - Dealing with the scene
(ACCUSE PC)
- Arrange / brief scene guards
- Carry out an initial assessment of the scene
- Clear the scene
- Use a common approach path
- Sketch the scene / consider photographs as necessary
- Establish cordons
- Protect fragile exhibits and any exhibits exposed to the elements
- Consider stepping plates
Initial action at a crime scene - Victim (if injured)
(TRI - TIC)
- Take DNA swabs from the victim’s skin, if appropriate
- Record and photograph any injuries
- If taken to hospital - Police must accompany
- Treat the victim as a scene and do not move them unnecessarily
- If the victim is expected to die, consider taking a statement from them, whether signed by them or not
- Commence first aid.
Initial action at a crime scene - Suspects
(RICIN CAIC)
- Record any comments made by them
- Identify routes the suspect used to arrive/leave
- Consider searching the suspect pursuant to SSA
- Isolate from other people
- Note their appearance, demeanour, and condition
- Consider a preliminary interview where appropriate, and return to a Police Station as soon as possible
- Ask them to remain/cooporate
- If uncooperative - consider arrest/caution
- If arrested - Caution
Initial action at a crime scene - Before leaving the scene
(BCP)
- Brief the O/C Investigation before handing on responsibility for the scene
- Cover what has been done/is being done/needs to be done
- Provide Comms with a SITREP
