Lucky Last Flashcards
- When should OC Body strip the body of clothing etc
Stripping of the body will take place immediately before the post-mortem examination commences, but must only be undertaken on the specific direction of the OC investigation, generally after a visual examination and collection of evidence from the clothed body has been completed.
Before entering the post-mortem examination room or handling the body, the OC Body and any other persons present must dress in protective clothing
Must be stripped in front of the pathologist.
- The OC exhibits has a responsibility to maintain an awareness of the significance of each exhibit and what examinations may be available. What other specific matters regarding each exhibit must the OC exhibits determine?
The OC Exhibits will determine, plan and record the examination and interrogation of every exhibit and establish its relevance to the investigation.
OC Exhibits may also conduct an appreciation and facilitate a thorough interrogation of every exhibit, to establish the:
• evidential value of each exhibit
• investigative opportunities presented by each exhibit
• further enquiries that are needed.
- OC area canvass submit report – what matters should it contain.
Final report: At the conclusion of the area canvass the phase OC must submit a report to the OC Investigation outlining the circumstances of this particular aspect of the investigation. The report should include; a summary of all action taken, any significant findings highlighted and attention drawn to any action that has been undertaken which was outside of the original phase strategy.
- During course of some trials witness intimidation may occur. Something about what info can OC do…
Witness intimidation: By maintaining contact with witnesses, Police will be more likely to become aware of any threats, intimidation or interference and can arrange for appropriate action to be taken; such as initiating the witness protection program
A risk assessment must be conducted to establish the extent to which a witness might be at risk of intimidation and/or physical harm. Different forms of intimidation may result from a witness providing information to Police, ranging from fear of going to Court, to life being at serious risk. Intelligence personnel may be tasked to contribute to the assessment and consultation should take place between the OC Investigation and the Crown Solicitor where any witness is subject to intimidation.
- Four matter to cover from OC suspects in briefing team.
Their initial briefing should encompass:
• the circumstances of the offence including an analysis of the scene and witness evidence available
• the full details of all persons of interest and any suspect, where the identity of suspects are known
• details of any descriptions of the suspect provided by witnesses (a schedule of descriptions may be prepared to assist)
• whether any particular modus operandi/crime signatures have been identified.
- S 10(4) Disclosure act obligation imposed by this subsection on the person providing disclosure
More recently, section 10(4) of the Act provides that disclosure may be supplied in whatever form, including electronically, that the person disclosing the information holds it in at the time of the request, provided this will be readily accessible to the defendant.
Consideration must be given to whether a defendant has ‘ready’ access to a computer with which to access electronic disclosure documents, particularly if remanded in prison.
- 4 benefits of applying appreciation technique
Benefits: Applying an appreciation technique can provide the following key benefits: • Manages risk • Reduces uncertainty • Eliminates duplication • Ensures nothing is overlooked • Effective use of resources
- FLO identify cultural origins of victims family and ensure they are familiar with relevant cultural belief and protocols
Cultural liaison:The FLO should identify the cultural origins of the victim’s family and ensure they are
familiar with relevant cultural beliefs and protocols, to enhance relations with the family and to contribute to the victim profile.
- Requirements file manager ensure are completed when setting up investigation headquarters
The File Manager, where there is no logistics officer appointed, must liaise closely with the 2IC to establish the requirements for the Investigation Headquarters, including: • location • office support staff • transport • equipment • communications • ICT requirements.
Communication flow: The file manager must assist the 2IC to prepare daily bulletins/sitreps, Police and special notices, organisational charts and daily rosters and ensuring these are well-displayed within the Investigation Headquarters, preferably on a notice board.
- Why is it important to develop a forensic strategy for exam of exhibits
Developing a Forensic Strategy: Developing a strategy for examination of exhibits allows the OC Exhibits to prioritise tasks in line with the direction of the investigation. The strategy must be approved by the OC Investigation and continually reviewed throughout the investigation to keep abreast of any developments.
- 2 main purposes for police attending scene of any death
No matter what the circumstances of death are (e.g. an accident, suicide, apparent natural causes, work place accident or unexplained death), Police purpose is always to investigate thoroughly and gather sufficient evidence to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death.
- Action police take when body disturbed at scene
It is critical that crime scene attendees quickly establish what movement has taken place and that the OC Body
record this information as soon as possible.
Where the body has been disturbed:
• Do not attempt to restore the scene to its original unchanged condition.
• Make enquiries to enable the original unchanged scene to be subsequently reconstructed and photographed, if required.
- What matters should the OC Canvass record in a detailed master record?
Monitoring progress: A detailed master record of ongoing progress should be continually maintained and updated by the OC Area Canvass, showing which addresses have been visited, which occupants interviewed, the documentation completed and any relevant comments made.
- In case of homicide who takes VIS and then no older than?
Victim impact statements: Victims should be given the opportunity to make a written statement about the impact the crime has had on them, through a victim impact statement (Refer Victims’ Rights Act 2002 sections 17 to 27).
The statement must be available for sentencing and should be no older than 28 days at the time of sentencing.
Homicide trained Victim Support volunteers are trained to assist Police by taking Victim Impact Statements from surviving family members.
- Initial police arrive at stabbing victim serious anticipated to die- verbal statement obtained. Under S18(1)(a) E.A 2006 how can police satisfy statement is admissible.
In order to be considered admissible evidence under 18(1)(a), the court must be satisfied that both the content of the statement and the person who made it, are reliable. Police taking the statement must therefore record any factors which demonstrate the reliability of the statement or its maker. The circumstances to consider under section 16(1) of the Evidence Act 2006, include:
• the nature of the statement;
• the contents 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.
- How can OC Area Canvass keep morale up of staff
The OC Area Canvass should ensure staff morale remains high and this can be achieved by providing regular feedback on the way canvass enquiries are contributing to the progress of the investigation, together with updates on the progress being made with other phases of the enquiry.
- Decribe 4 methods of identifying body when body decomposed
Methods of identification: Mutilation or decomposition may render visual identification of a body impossible. Where the identity of victim cannot be established, consider the following methods of
identification, in consultation with the Coroner:
• fingerprints
• DNA profiling (identification results take 3-4 weeks or 48 hours for urgent analysis)
• dental records, available through the Region Forensic Dentistry Advisor
• eye examination records
• personal effects
• facial reconstruction.
- Scene witnesses proximate to events evidence transferred etc. What action interviewing police take prior to interview and then state types of physical evidence that may be present
Before a witness is interviewed, a plan must be prepared to preserve and recover all available physical evidence from the witness including DNA, fingerprints, clothes, footwear, fibres, body fluids, glass or other material.
The plan to preserve and recover evidence from a forensically important witness should consider these issues where applicable;
- Immediate DNA swabs of any areas of the witness that the suspect may have touched.
- Immediate DNA swabs of any blood present on the witness.
- Immediate swabs of any other relevant stains present on the witness.
- Forensic medical examination – fingernail scrapings/hair combing etc
- Seizure of clothing and footwear
- Seizure of any items of property touched by suspect
- Initial actions of Disclosure manager
- read the Disclosure Managers desk file
- access the current Serious Crime Template downloaded to the local district shared drive, for use during the investigation
- report to the 2IC to receive a briefing, tasking, establishing what information is and is not discoverable, and ongoing supervision.
- Action of OC exhibit take when are further enquiries
Results of exhibit examinations: The OC Exhibits must update the Exhibits Register with the results of exhibit examinations. The OC Exhibits should bring such information to the attention of the OC Investigation and not assume that they are aware of it by any other means.
Where the OC Exhibits becomes aware that further enquiries are required in relation to a particular exhibit, this must be highlighted to the 2IC so that follow-up enquiries can be initiated.
- Explain common approach path
Common approach paths are a route in and out of the scene that all staff/civilians are to use. This path will be a route that avoids any route taken to and from the scene by the suspect or victim. It is best to consider possible approach paths previously and establish a common approach path early to prevent loss of evidence or cross contamination.
22.At conclusion of PM, OC body must hand exhibits to OC – list three things that must do
The OC Body must hand all exhibits to the OC Exhibits, in order to maintain an unbroken chain of exhibit continuity and security. They should also provide the OC Exhibits with:
• the post-mortem Scene Exhibit Schedule
• copy of the OC Body’s notebook entries
• formal statement.
- When Crown solicitor directs police to interview alibi witness – actions police take
Must only be interviewed under the direction of the Crown Solicitor. When particulars of alibi witnesses are notified concerning a matter in respect of which proceedings have been commenced, the investigator must:
• make enquiries to determine the veracity of the alibi
• conduct inquiries as directed by the OC Investigation and the Crown Solicitor including NIA checks on the alibi witness
• forward the results of these enquiries to the Crown Solicitor, including any statements obtained
- In serious crime, dr may examine suspect- apart from noting injuries and taking samples, what else can dr report on.
Police doctor to examine the suspect. The doctor must:
- swab the suspect’s hands for firearms residue using a specialist Firearms Detection Kit, as soon as possible where a firearm has been involved in an offence. Such residue may persist on the hands or clothing of a suspect for up to three hours.
- provide a professional opinion regarding the condition of the suspect.
Record any explanations or comments made by the suspect about the offence or the cause of any of injuries. Photographs of the suspect and any relevant marks or injuries must be taken.
- Describe chain of custody and state the purpose
The chain of custody: The chain of custody includes every individual who has had custody of an exhibit, from the time it was first discovered until the time it is produced in Court. It is used to demonstrate the integrity, and therefore admissibility, of exhibits.
While an exhibit was under their control, each person with custody of the exhibit must be able to demonstrate:
• when they received custody of the exhibit and from whom
• where and how the exhibit was securely stored
• when, why and how the exhibit was moved from one place to another
• how the exhibit has been treated, safeguarded and preserved
• when and why they transferred custody of an exhibit to another person, and to whom.
- 3 categories of a victims medical status
This falls into one of three categories:
• Alive and uninjured
• Alive but injured
• Shows no signs of life
- Something about instructions to person identifying body
It is important those carrying out the formal identification are fully informed what is required of them and what they should expect to see when they view the deceased, particularly after a post-mortem examination has taken place.
- Why important in some cases conduct area canvass at same time as offence
In some cases, the area canvass should be conducted at the same time as the original offence occurred, to capture people who regularly pass through that area at that time of the day, e.g. a homicide of a person in a park in the early hours of the morning.
- 2 reasons why important to do risk assessment relating to witness of serious offence.
A risk assessment must be conducted to establish the extent to which a witness might be at risk of intimidation and/or physical harm. Different forms of intimidation may result from a witness providing information to Police, ranging from fear of going to Court, to life being at serious risk. Intelligence personnel may be tasked to contribute to the assessment and consultation should take place between the OC Investigation and the Crown Solicitor where any witness is subject to intimidation.
- What information to gain from the informant/complainant which will assist the investigation?
Every effort should be made to obtain:
• Identity and location of suspect
• A first hand account of what the informant knows
• Precise details of the location of the scene
• Circumstances leading to the discovery
• Identity of the victim
• Details of anyone else at the scene
• Full contact details of complainant / informant
• Demeanour of complainant / informant
• Relationship of the complainant / informant to the victim or suspect
• Details of action the complainant / informant has taken and where they have been
• Details of any hazards or safety issues that may affect Police approaching the scene / victim
- What is the first thing to consider when undertaking a course of action at a serious crime scene?
Risk assessment:Initial action at the scene is crucial but may also present physical risks as well as a risk of contamination to the scene. Before initial actions can be safely undertaken, those in charge at the scene must conduct an appreciation on the known information, to dictate how, why and what form initial action should take.
Subject to the appreciation of risks, a reconnaissance should be conducted to establish who is present at the scene. This may include other injured people, or a hidden offender.
- Police who arrive at a serious crime scene should identify, preserve and record the scene. What actions should Police take to preserve the scene upon initial arrival?
- 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.
- In the case of a homicide or serious crime involving a Maori Victim, an Iwi Liaison Officer (ILO) must be engaged as early as possible. In what ways can the ILO provide assistance to the investigation?
Maori Culture: In the case of a homicide or serious crime involving a Maori victim, an Iwi liaison Officer must be engaged as early as possible. This will support an understanding and awareness of the Maori traditions, protocol and beliefs, and enhance relations between the investigation, family of the deceased and the Maori community.
- What action must Police staff at the scene of a serious crime take if the media are present?
If members of the media are present at the scene, keep them away from the immediate crime scene cordon and make no comment about the incident. Consult with the OC Investigation on arrival and explain what has happened, identify media members and where they are located.
- State why it is important that Police who have first contact with the informant to a serious offence should be debriefed regarding the contact.
Police who have first contact with the informant should be debriefed and a full record made of their account. This record could become crucial if the informant is later identified as a suspect. In some circumstances, consideration should be given to interviewing such officers as investigatively important witnesses.
- Describe who should be appointed as OC body at a serious crime scene?
Appointment of the OC Body: The OC Body should be an experienced investigator with awareness of forensic issues. Where this is not possible, the OC Body may require additional support and/or mentoring.
