O/C Body

Question 1

What are the responsibilities of the O/C Body with regard to certification of death?

Answer 1

They must ensure death has been certified by a doctor or qualified paramedic, using a Deceased Person Certificate (POL 265).

Question 2

What are the responsibilities of the O/C Body with regard to security and continuity?

Answer 2

Maintain security and continuity of the body, samples and exhibits from the scene to the commencement of the post-mortem.

Question 3

What are the responsibilities of the O/C Body with regard to securing and guarding?

Answer 3

Secure and guard the body, body samples and any exhibits relating to the body with dignity and respect.

Question 4

What are the responsibilities of the O/C Body with regard to observations?

Answer 4

Note and record observations relating to the body - record the position by sketch plan and direct photographer.

Consider other imaging techniques.

Consider marking and recording position of the body in relation to other nearby features.

Record all details of the position of the body.

Question 5

What are the responsibilities of the O/C Body with regard to noting details?

Answer 5

Note details of medical staff or others who have attended the victim, and record what actions have been taken by any party in respect of the body.

Question 6

What are the responsibilities of the O/C Body with regard to movement?

Answer 6

Establish if the body has been moved or disturbed.

Question 7

What are the responsibilities of the O/C Body with regard to photography?

Answer 7

Ensure the body is photographed in situ and consider using video recording.

Question 8

What are the responsibilities of the O/C Body with regard to transport?

Answer 8

On authority of the O/C Investigation, arrange transport of the body to the mortuary.

Question 9

What are the responsibilities of the O/C Body with regard to 1S procedures and the Sudden Death file? What must this file include?

Answer 9

Complete Sudden Death procedures and file, and submit it as soon as possible so a Coronial Inquest can be opened. The file must include:

• Statement relating to Victims formal ID,
• Copy of POL47 or POL47A (under 2yrs)
• Copy of Deceased Person Certificate (POL265)
• Copy of Deceased Person ID (POL265A)

Question 10

What are the responsibilities of the O/C Body with regard to identification?

Answer 10

On the authority of the O/C Investigation, arrange a formal identification of the body using a POL265A.

Question 11

What are the responsibilities of the O/C Body with regard to medical records?

Answer 11

Obtain historical medical records of the victim for the information of the pathologist.

Question 12

What are the responsibilities of the O/C Body at a Post-Mortem?

Answer 12

• Attend the post mortem with O/C Investigation.
• Attend Pathologist briefing.
• Ensure photographer takes appropriate and sufficient photographs throughout all stages as directed by Pathologist.
• Preserve evidence from the body.
• Record, label and secure all samples and exhibits associated with the body.
• Arrange for finger/palm prints to be taken as required.
• Attend debrief of Pathologist and record findings as directed.
• Ensure all cultural responsibilities have been addressed.

Question 13

What are the responsibilities of the O/C Body with regard to cultural responsibilities?

Answer 13

Ensure that they have been addressed.

Question 14

What action should an O/C Body take if the body has been disturbed?

Answer 14

Do not attempt to restore the scene to it’s original, unchanged condition. Make enquiries to enable the original unchanged scene to be reconstructed and photographed later if necessary.

Question 15

What are the details that an O/C body should record about the body’s position?

Answer 15

• Position of all limbs.
• Appearance of the body.
• Wounds and clothing.
• Lividity, if present.
• Extent of rigor mortis present.
• Direction of any trails of blood present.

Question 16

How should the body be prepared to be moved?

Answer 16

Consider what health risks may be presented by handling the body.

Cover hands, head and feet with paper bags, secured with tape to prevent trace evidence being lost. Cover with plastic if necessary. Liaise with scene experts if there are concerns relating to wound seepage en-route.

Ensure clothing is not contaminated by contact with foreign objects.

Wrap body in plastic sheet and place in a body bag.

Question 17

Why should you not use rubber bands or tight fitting fasteners to secure the paper bags around the hands, feet and head?

Answer 17

They may leave marks on the skin (false ligature marks).

Question 18

What should you do immediately after the body is placed in a body bag?

Answer 18

Carefully search underneath where the body lay.

Question 19

What should you do with all sheets, bags, or other materials used to transport the body?

Answer 19

Retain them as exhibits.

Question 20

Who’s approval must you get before removing the body from the scene and why?

Answer 20

The O/C Investigation - The O/C Investigation is responsible for ensuring continuity of all aspects of the investigation and the body must not be moved until the O/C Investigation has given authority for its removal.

Question 21

What steps must you take when directed by the O/C Investigation to remove the body?

Answer 21

Arrange a contracted undertaker to remove the body to the mortuary. Ensure you are able to account for the security and continuity of the body as an exhibit at all times, until the pathologist commences a post-mortem examination. Ensure that the undertaker uses a body bag which is sterile.

Question 22

What must an O/C Body do upon arrival at the mortuary?

Answer 22

• Ensure mortuary staff do not wash the body.
• Ensure body is labeled and sealed in secure mortuary fridge.
• Retain any key used to secure the body until it is required for post-mortem.
• Ensure body remains in it’s present condition until the commencement of the post-mortem.
• Arrange formal identification.

Question 23

How should an O/C Body go about stripping the body?

Answer 23

• In the presence of the pathologist.
• Preserve body bag and sheets or wrappings as exhibits.
• Allow photographer to take appropriate and sufficient photographs before and after disrobing.
• Remove clothing, avoiding cutting if possible.
• Search pockets and make inventory of contents.
• Make inventory of all clothing and possessions.
• Label each item of clothing/possession
• Seal each into a different bag, ensuring exhibits do not cross-contaminate.
• Maintain security and continuity of the body.

Question 24

What should you consider when stripping the body in cases of obvious head trauma, and why?

Answer 24

Consider placing a fine sieve in the mortuary table drain hole before blood and debris is washed from the body, to collect trace evidence that may have transferred from the weapon for later comparison to other exhibits.

Question 25

What is the primary role of the O/C Body at a post-mortem?

Answer 25

To observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body in a structured, methodical manner. The O/C Body must remain until the post-mortem is concluded and the Pathologist provides their findings in the debrief.

Question 26

What is the purpose of a post-mortem?

Answer 26

To establish the cause of death. Also:

• Determine mode and time of death,
• Establish how injuries/events contributed to the death,
• Determine nature/size of weapons used,
• Determine possible height/stature of suspect,
• Provide areas of interest for suspect/witness interviews,
• Negate possible defences,
• Identify the victim if ID not established.

Question 27

What points should a pathologist cover during a post-mortem?

Answer 27

Records a description of the body including height, weight, build, eye colour and hair (density, colour, baldness)

Records the body’s external appearance (front and back) including injuries, bruises, scars, scratches, discoloration and imperfections such as false teeth or limbs.

Uses specialist kits for collecting evidence samples where appropriate, e.g. MEK kit, toxicology kit, firearms discharge residue kit or Post-Mortem kit.

Question 28

When should fingerprints be obtained from a body during a post-mortem?

Answer 28

When they are required, at the conclusion of the examination or after the hands have been examined by the pathologist and any evidence has been removed. Footprints should also be obtained if required.

Question 29

What action should the O/C Body take in relation to exhibits?

Answer 29

The O/C Body is responsible for recording, labelling, packaging, sealing and securing all exhibits relating to the body, including the samples taken at the post-mortem.

All exhibits must be packaged and sealed before leaving the mortuary and will be entered into the Scene Exhibits Schedule.

Question 30

What are some examples of items found at the crime scene or during the post-mortem examination that are of mutual interest to the pathologist and the investigative team, and how should these items be handled?

Answer 30

Examples include ballistic projectiles, extraneous items (hairs, fibres, blood, semen) in or on the body, or ligatures. They should be preserved and handled in accordance with standard exhibit protocols.

Question 31

What action should the O/C Body take following the completion of the post-mortem?

Answer 31

They must take possession of all exhibits and hand them to the O/C Exhibits to ensure continuity and security, along with the post-mortem Scene Exhibit Schedule, notebook entries and FWS. Toxicology samples must be delivered to the ESR ASAP to prevent decay.

Question 32

What are the procedures surrounding release of the body following post-mortem?

Answer 32

The Coroner must be advised once the O/C Investigation has established whether a second post-mortem is required by Defence.

Once O/C Investigation confirms post-mortem is concluded and body is no longer required, the Coroner must be requested to make an order to release the body to the next of kin without undue delay.