OC BODY Flashcards
Value of the Victim
3 Key Elements of a homicide
Role of OC Body in a PM?
ODE
Elements- Victim, Suspect, Location
The results of a well constructed forensic examination of the body will assist the OC Investigation to understand who or what caused the death of the victim.
The body must be treated as a scene and afforded all appropriate efforts and resources.
The primary role of the OC Body during a post-mortem is to observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body, in a structured, methodical manner.
Responsibilities of OC Body - Pre Post Mortem
Photographed
- ensure the body is photographed ‘in situ’ and consider using video recording
1S Procedure
- ensure death has been certified using a Deceased Person Certificate (POL 265)
-Arrange formal identification of the body using form Pol 265A
- Arrange transportation of the body to the mortuary
- complete sudden death procedures
- obtain historical medial records of victim for information of pathologist
Security
- maintain security and continuity of the body, samples and exhibits, from the scene to the commencement of the post-mortem examination
- secure and guard with dignity and respect
Notes
- note and record observations relating to the body
- note details of medical staff or others who have attended the victim
- record what actions have been taken by any party in respect of the body
- establish if the body has been moved or disturbed
Responsibilities of OC Body - Post Mortem
- attend the post-mortem examination with the OC Investigation
- attend the briefing of the pathologist
- ensure the Police photographer takes appropriate and sufficient photographs of the body. The pathologist will direct the photographer.
- preserve evidence from the body
- record, label and secure all samples and exhibits
- arrange for fingerprints and palm prints to be taken, if required
- attend the debrief of the pathologist and record the findings, on direction of the OC and/or pathologist
- ensure all cultural responsibilities have been addressed.
It is the responsibility of the OC Investigation to
3 points
- notify the Coroner early of the death, as detailed in the Police Manual chapter ‘Contacting a Coroner’
- arrange the post-mortem examination, in consultation with the Coroner
- consult the Pathologist before the post-mortem commences
Principles of Initial Response
- Fundamental Responsibility to preserve life.
- Never assume death unless no other conclusion possible
- Qualified medical must certify death.
Unless in an emergency situation, the body must not be moved until the OC () Investigation has given authority for this to occur.
It is important that the OC Investigation and OC Body seek to establish as much information as possible from the scene with which they can subsequently brief interested parties. This will allow any decisions or opinions to be as fully informed as possible. Some key areas for consideration include:
- Scene photos/videos
-actions of the first responders - identity of the body
- history of the body- including medical history, drugs found at the scene, action taken or developments since the discovery of the body
- timeframes relating to the finding of the body, the last sighting and other significant times that may impact upon time of death
- scope and priorities of the investigation
- any special evidential expectations and requirements
environmental factors at the scene,
At the earliest opportunity, the OC’s must make an appreciation in respect of the removal of the body. These factors should be considered in the appreciation:
SCEE REF
- Notification to and response from, the Coroner
- Views of the pathologist, ESR () forensic scientist and Crown Solicitor attending the crime scene
- Consultation with other relevant experts
- Requirement for any examination or action needed before removal, based on known facts of the case
- Best method and route for the body removal, to minimise contamination of the .
- Supervision of the body removal
- Chain of custody of the body from the scene to the mortuary
- Safe custody of exhibits
- Family and/or cultural considerations
- Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) for what and how items of protective clothing (e.g. paper suits, gloves and masks) must be used in relation to the scene and the body.
It is not uncommon for movement of the body to have occurred during the initial stages of the police and other emergency services response.
Where the body has been disturbed:
Do 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.
Samples taken from the body at the scene.
This is advisable where evidence would otherwise be lost or contaminated by moving the body, such as:
- larvae and insects
- potential fingerprint evidence from the skin on the body of the victim and/or items of clothing worn by the body, e.g. fine woven fabrics
- DNA swabs
- extraneous items such as loose hairs, fibres, glass, paint or other fragments
- firearm residue samples.
What is the purpose of a PM
- Primary Reason to establish cause of death
Determining, - the mode and time of death
-injuries and/or events at the scene may have contributed toward the death - nature and size of any weapon(s) used
- approximate height and stature of the suspect
- providing areas of interest for subsequent interviews
- negating possible defences
- identifying the victim
Section 38 of the Coroners Act 2006 prescribes who may attend a post-mortem?
the pathologist, and other pathologists assisting
the Coroner
a doctor who:
- who treated the deceased
- representing the deceased
- representing the interests of a suspect
- trainee doctor or other
- Police
- any other person authorised by a Coroner.
Police who should attend the post-mortem are:
the OC investigation
the OC Body
PM OC Exhbitis
Police photographer
SOCO () or fingerprint officer, if required.
experts (ESR, Crown)
Use of other experts?
Odontologist
Biologist
Medical illustrator Toxicologist
Ballistics expert
Crime scene examiner Entomologist
Anthropologist
Disaster Victim Identification.
The pathologist must be supplied with relevant information and material, i.e.
Copy of the Notification to the Coroner (Pol 47).
Medical Examination (MEK ()) kit.
Toxicology kit.
Medical records of the deceased, where available.
Photographs and/or video recordings taken at the scene.
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
- medical examination records, including scars, birth - marks, implants or prosthetics, x- rays, surgical wounds, amputations and tattoos
- personal effects
- facial reconstruction.
