OC Suspects Flashcards
Purpose (8)
The OC Suspects is responsible for supervising the members of the Suspects Team for the purpose of:
• 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.
Management of suspects falls into three categories and where appropriate, the OC Investigation will prepare a strategy dealing with each:
• Identification and profiling.
• Arrest/termination.
• Interviewing.
Determining status of suspects
Responsibility for determining the status of a person within the investigation whether as a suspect, person of interest, witness or victim rests with the OC Investigation. The OC Investigation to make that determination, albeit in consultation with the OC Suspects.
Briefing the Suspects Team (4)
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:
• 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.
Determine investigation priorities
Aspects that might influence the setting of priorities are the 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. Suspects must be investigated in order of priority.
Provide briefings/debriefings
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 suspects team and other investigation staff.
Preparing to interview a suspect (9)
Prior to interviewing a suspect, the OC Suspects should:
- liaise with the OC Investigation regarding selection of the interviewer, including whether a Level 2 or Level 3 trained interviewer should be used
- consult with the OC Investigation regarding the most appropriate mode of recording the interview, usually on video
- establish, in consultation with the OC Investigation, the status of the person as a witness, person of interest or suspect. This status will determine whether the interview is to be conducted under caution and the interviewee advised of their rights
- consider whether the person requires special consideration, for example due to linguistic, cultural, or religious factors, or medical condition, impairment or disability. Refer to ‘Interviewing special consideration suspects’
- consult with other interviewing experts or legal advisor, if required
- ensure the interviewer is fully briefed
- ensure the interviewer is familiar with the procedures outlined in the Investigative interviewing suspect guide
- discuss with the interviewer the ingredients that need to be established, the suspect’s background, and possible alibis and motives
- ensure that the inteviewer has prepared a detailed interview plan. Refer to the Police Manual chapter ‘Investigative interviewing suspect guide’ under ‘Planning and preparation’.
Interviewing (3)
During any interview of a suspect, the OC Suspects must ensure that:
- 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.
Arrest of a Suspect (4)
After an arrest is made, the OC Suspects should:
- 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. Ensure any search of the person of a suspect or their belongings is conducted under a legal authority i.e. a warrantless search pursuant to the Search and Surveillance Act 2012 if appropriate, or under search warrant. Refer to ‘Executing Search Warrants’ in this part.
Understanding cross-contamination
Any potential for cross-contamination must be eliminated by conducting an appreciation and applying stringent standard procedures for managing exhibits throughout the investigation.
Where more than one suspect is involved, an appreciation must be made regarding which staff are assigned to seize clothing from suspects. It is vitally important officers involved are fully aware of cross contamination issues and where possible, separate officers should be assigned to each suspect. Suspects must be kept apart including during travel in vehicles and when in cells. All clothing should be packaged, labelled and sealed in accordance with standard procedures before transfer to OC Exhibits.
Medical examination (10)
The OC Suspects will arrange, in consultation with the OC Investigation, for a Police doctor to examine the suspect. The doctor must:
• 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. Refer to the Police Manual chapter ‘Firearm Discharge Residues’.
• provide a professional opinion regarding the condition of the suspect.
Alibis
In investigating any alibi offered, the OC Suspects must:
• 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.
