Others Flashcards
What is the purpose of an area canvass?
Area canvass presents a high likelihood of identifying or contacting the offender, an associate of the offender, significant witnesses, identifying evidence or exhibits and establishing significant facts.
A canvass can also identify witnesses to the movements of the offender before and after the offence occurred, and witnesses to the actual offence.
How can an ILO provide assistance in an investigation?
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.
How can Criminal Profiling unit or criminal or geographic profilers assist with area canvass phase?
Assist by setting parameters or identifying locations where suspects are likely to frequent or reside.
What topics are covered during forensic strategy meeting?
- What examinations ESR and others could conduct on exhibits
- The priority each examination should receive
- Whether any further work is needed to assist a reconstruction
- A plan for any work to be completed that is required to assist the reconstruction
- An agreed reconstruction of the events relevant to the crime under investigation
Define the term family?
- includes partners, parents, siblings, children, guardians, whanau and any others who have a direct and close relationship with the victim
- includes “chosen” family
- should reflect the victims culture and lifestyle
What should be considered when deciding who to appoint to interview a witness?
+ The level of training of the interviewer:
- Interviews of adult witnesses who are considered investigatively important should be conducted by an accredited level 3 specialist adult interviewer, or an accredited level 2 interviewer if no level 3 available.
- interviews of witnesses in serious and complex crime investigations other than those considered investigatively important, should be conducted by an accredited level 2 advanced interviewer.
- a forensic child interviewer should be used for any child or any person suffering from an intellectual impairment.
+ the experience the officer has in interviewing witnesses in major investigations and any additional skills they have that may be advantageous in the circumstances
+ the suitability of the officer to undertake the interview. This should include a consideration of any welfare issues and whether any previous experience that officer has with the witness is likely to inhibit or encourage rapport with interviewee or give rise to later challenges of coaching, prompting or offering inducements.
How to avoid cross contamination when dealing with multiple suspects
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 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 operating procedures before transfer to O/C exhibits.
Preliminary interviews with witnesses?
On some occasions it may be necessary to conduct a prompt, preliminary interview with a witness who possesses information or material that is likely to rapidly progress the investigation, ie information that may lead to:
- early identification or arrest of a suspect
- recovery of evidence or information relevant to the offence
- prevention of imminent disposal or destruction of evidence connected to the investigation
- prevention of the commission of another offence
What is the first thing to consider when undertaking a course of action at a serious crime scene?
Consider what risks may exist
Why should officers who have first contact with complainant/informant take detailed notes?
Officers should take great care in recording what the complainant says, their demeanour and clothing etc, as these notes may become critical, particularly if complainant/informant is later identified as a suspect.
What activities should Police arriving at serious crime take to preserve the scene?
- Consider 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
Communication flow - file managers daily responsibilties
File manager must assist 2IC to prepare daily bulletins/sitreps, Police and special notices, organisation charts and daily rosters and ensuring these are well displayed within the investigation headquarters.
Must also keep abreast of developments in all phases of the investigation, to enable them to brief members of the investigation team from a particular phase on the progress thats been made in other phases.
What material should disclosure manager provide to the Crown solicitor?
The Crown should be provided with an identical copy of all material that is disclosed to defence counsel, The Crown should also review an un-edited copy of the material, where appropriate. This material should remain under the control of the file manager while it is being reviewed.
