O/C Suspects

Question 1

The OC Suspects is appointed by and responsible to the OC Investigation. It is anticipated they will be a?

Answer 1

CIB supervisor of Detective Sergeant rank, in common with those in charge of other phases.

Question 2

The OC Suspects is responsible for supervising the members of the Suspects Team for the purpose of?

Answer 2

• obtaining information about suspects and persons of interest, as they are identified by the OC Investigation
• thoroughly profiling and investigating all suspects and persons of interest to enable the OC Investigation to establish their involvement in the offence or eliminate them from the inquiry
• seeking evidence to cover all ingredients of the offence(s)
• mitigating and dealing with possible defences that may be raised, where appropriate
• providing a basis for further investigation.

Question 3

Management of suspects falls into three categories and where appropriate, the OC Investigation will prepare a strategy dealing with each?

Answer 3

• Identification and profiling.
• Arrest/termination.
• Interviewing.

Question 4

Responsibility for determining the status of a person within the investigation whether as a suspect, person of interest, witness or victim rests with the?

Answer 4

OC Investigation

Question 5

The first duty of the OC Suspects is to brief their suspects team members. To enable them to do this, the OC Suspects should analyse the information available such as witness statements, police reports and information from the scene. Their initial briefing should encompass?

Answer 5

• 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.

Question 6

Investigate all suspects thoroughly in order of priority as decided in consultation with the OC Investigation. Aspects that might influence the setting of priorities are the?

Answer 6

Relative weight of evidence against a person or the likelihood of their leaving the area. You may
also be influenced by a particular urgency in solving the case or the availability of staff.

Question 7

The OC Suspects phase must regularly debrief their team members on the enquiries they have conducted and the results of these enquiries so that they can maintain a constant flow of information at conferences, between the members of the?

Answer 7

Suspects team and other investigation staff.

Question 8

After analysing all witness interviews/statements, a schedule of descriptions of the suspect can be prepared and where appropriate distributed, for example by circulating copies?

Answer 8

• to members of the search, area canvass and investigation teams, and/or
• to the media (via the Media Liaison Officer).

A careful risk assessment will be required prior to releasing any suspect description in the circumstances above. Any media release must be authorised by the OC
Investigation.

Question 9

The OC Suspects should consider, in consultation with the OC Witnesses, using witness(es) who saw a suspect to complete a FACES sketch. This is a?

Answer 9

Computerised facial identification system used to compile a likeness of an offender from the description supplied by the witness and it should be completed early.

Question 10

Any photographs of clothing or duplicates of property used by the suspect may be utilised in any combination of these ways?

Answer 10

• for release to the media
• to be used by investigators during an area canvass
• in the conduct of suspect enquiries.

Question 11

A photograph board should be set up displaying photographs and details of suspects whom you?

Answer 11

• have interviewed, or

* wish to interview.

Question 12

Where the place of residence of a suspect who has yet to be identified is known, consider?

Answer 12

• NIA enquiries
• enquiries with the local council to identify the property owner
• conducting a reconnaissance of the area
• monitoring the address through surveillance
• taking photographs of any persons and vehicles as they enter or leave the premises
• monitoring use of the suspect’s telephone
• enquiries with the local authority and utility providers (e.g. electricity, gas, water, sky television)

Question 13

A TIE category is created by?

Answer 13

selecting a common characteristic shared by a group of
people, which may include the offender. These group characteristics will depend on the circumstances of the crime but examples might include persons related to or associated with the victim, persons in the vicinity of the scene at the time of the offence or with access to the scene at the time of the offence.

Question 14

When identification is an issue and the identity of a possible suspect is known, consider establishing identity by?

Answer 14

Staging a visual identification procedure. This normally involves a photograph montage or less frequently, an identification (ID) parade.

Question 15

Before any arrest/termination, the OC Suspects must consult the OC Investigation regarding an arrest strategy, to ensure?

Answer 15

• an investigator is appointed to be responsible for each suspect. Where practicable, these appointments will be made at an earlier stage so those appointed can
adequately prepare for the interview
• the decision to prosecute, choice of charges and prosecution processes are conducted in accordance with the Solicitor-General’s Prosecution Guidelines
• clarity on the position to be taken by Police on the question of bail
• authority to engage the Crown Solicitor is obtained from the Police Prosecutions Service, where appropriate
• the family of the deceased are updated via the Family Liaison Officer
• prompt preparation of the prosecution file
• compliance by the Disclosure Manager,

Question 16

During any interview of a suspect, the OC Suspects must ensure that?

Answer 16

• the interview is conducted in accordance with the ‘Investigative interviewing suspect guide’
• the interview is monitored by a supervisor or experienced Detective to ensure that all key points and areas are covered
• ensure an explanation is sought from the suspect in relation to any exhibits found.

Question 17

After an arrest is made, the OC Suspects should?

Answer 17

• ensure suspects are isolated from each other, where there is more than one suspect
• ensure that each suspect arrested is advised of their rights in accordance with the Bill of Rights Act 1990
• in the case of a juvenile suspect, consider and address Police obligations under the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989
• consider executing a search for evidence of the suspect’s person, vehicle, home and workplace.

Question 18

The OC Suspects will arrange, in consultation with the OC Investigation, for a Police doctor to examine the suspect. The doctor must?

Answer 18

• note any injuries, such as scratches or bruises
• take samples identified as necessary by the OC Investigation using a specialist
Medical Examination Kit, including:
- blood
- saliva
- head hair
- pubic and body hair, if relevant
- fingernail scrapings
- swabs of the suspect’s hands or other relevant areas
• 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.

Question 19

Where a suspect refuses to allow a search to be conducted under section 88 of the Search and Surveillance Act 2012, for evidential material that is reasonably believed to be on the outside of the suspect’s body (e.g. firearm discharge residue on the suspect’s hands or the victim’s DNA on the suspect’s penis), then?

Answer 19

Reasonable force may be used to conduct the search.

Question 20

To confirm the identity of the suspect?

Answer 20

• obtain from the suspect: fingerprints, footprints, palm prints, and blood for DNA analysis (refer to the Police Manual chapter ‘DNA Sampling’
• arrange photographs of the suspect. Where such photographs were not taken during the medical examination, include photographs of:
- the suspect’s front face and profile
- the suspect’s full body length, from the front and the side
- any injuries
- any distinctive, visible identifying features, such as tattoos or scars
• obtain samples of the suspect’s handwriting, where relevant
• record a physical description of the suspect
• record details for the offender report.

Question 21

When a suspect is arrested for a homicide or other similarly serious crime, the following documentation must be completed?

Answer 21

• NIA entry.
• Message to the Deputy Commissioner, Operations by completing an update on the Serious Incident Report database.
• Cancellation of NIA ‘wanted’ references.

Question 22

The OC Suspects should liaise with the OC Investigation to determine whether a psychiatric examination of a suspect is required. Such an examination will be required
only if?

Answer 22

The sanity or mental health of the suspect at the time the offence was committed, or at the time they are to stand trial, is at issue.

Question 23

The Police investigation should aim to establish whether the suspect understood the?

Answer 23

Nature and quality of their actions, and whether they realised the actions were morally wrong. This information may be useful in rebutting a defence of insanity, where it is unjustified.

Question 24

Where a Court order is made to remand the suspect for psychiatric assessment, the Court must receive the evidence of two health assessors as to whether the defendant is mentally impaired - section 14 of the Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act 2003 refers. A report must be sent to the Court Registrar or, with the Registrar’s permission, to the superintendent of a psychiatric hospital or penal institution, describing?

Answer 24

• the circumstances of the arrest
• a summary of the offence with which the suspect is charged
• the suspect’s previous criminal history
• the suspect’s previous mental history
• the symptoms and duration of the suspect’s current mental illness, if applicable.

Question 25

Whenever an alibi is put forward by an offender concerning a matter in respect of which proceedings have been commenced, it is the responsibility of the OC Suspects to make thorough?

Answer 25

Enquiries to determine the veracity of the alibi and to fully report the result of these enquiries to the Crown Solicitor, via the 2IC.

Question 26

Alibi witnesses whose particulars have been advised in accordance with section 22 of the Criminal Disclosure Act 2008, must not be?

Answer 26

Interviewed by Police except at the request of the Crown Solicitor.

Question 27

In investigating any alibi offered, the OC Suspects must?

Answer 27

• make enquiries of people other than the persons whose particulars have been supplied to confirm or rebut evidence in support of the alibi
• complete enquiries to establish where the suspect was at the time of the offence, who they were with and what they were doing
• wherever possible, corroboration of the alibi provided by the suspect should be sought from forensic or other sources that are independent of the suspect.

Question 28

Who is a suspect?

Answer 28

A person of interest who has gained added status because of a direct or indirect connection to the circumstances of the crime.