Part 1 - Initial Response Flashcards
What are the primary functions of the initial Police responders?
(1) Attending the scene at early stage
(2) Taking control of situation
(3) Co-ordinating tasks
They are temporary OC investigation and responsible for all Police action until relieved
Incidents that may later identify as homicide cases (examples)
(1) Report of missing person
(2) Sudden unexplained death of infant
(3) Unexplained death
(4) Report of abduction
(5) Crime scene without a body
(6) Hit and run
(7) Suicide
(8) Fatal fire
VAWSEEPO (initial action)
(V) Victim - Identify and locate
(A) Appreciation - Initial appreciation, assess personal risk and preserving life of others
(W) Witnesses - Locate and contain
(S) Scene - Preserve (set boundaries)
(E) Exhibits - Note and preserve evidence (if risk of CADD)
(E) Elements - Consider ingredients of alleged offence
(P) Powers - Identify and consider powers available
(O) Offender - Identify and apprehend
Appreciation
A method of problem solving which follows a series of steps to ensure the optimum course of action is decided upon.
It considers all factors and weighs the benefits and risk of all alternative solutions, allowing for sound decision making.
What are the benefits of the appreciation method?
(1) Increases the chances of success
(2) Manages risk
(3) Reduces uncertainty
(4) Ensures nothing is overlooked
(5) Informs all Police what they are expected to achieve
How do you conduct an appreciation?
(1) AIM - Formulate an aim (objective) which is clear accurate and concise.
(2) FACTORS - Consider all circumstances (factors) that could possibly have an effect on the manner in which you will achieve your desired outcome i.e. further risk to life, location of suspects, resources available, evidence requiring preservation, environment/weather conditions. Constantly ask - so what? - to draw logical conclusions
(3) COURSES OPEN - Possible ways the aim could be achieved. Examine and evaluate the advantages, disadvantages and risks. Q1- What are the possible results or consequences of each alternative? Q2 - What alternative is the most appropriate way to reach the objective?
(4) PLAN - Proposed course of action to achieve the desired aim. A plan is the logical outcome of the appreciation and delivered to staff using GSMEAC
What is Police’s role in a death investigation?
Investigate thoroughly and gather sufficient evidence to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death
What information should be obtained from an informant? (8)
(1) Identity and location of suspect
(2) A first hand account of what they saw
(3) Details of location of scene
(4) Circumstances of discovery
(5) Identity of victim
(6) Details of anyone else at scene
(7) Their demeanour
(8) Their relationship to the victim or suspect
What may be asked of an informant? (5)
(1) To return to proximity of scene and guard it (if safe)
(2) Not to enter the scene boundaries
(3) Not to touch or move anything
(4) Prevent others from entering or touching the scene
(5) Await Police arrival and identify themselves
What do you do when a victim is alive but injured? (4)
(1) Call an Ambo / commence CPR
(2) If victim is moved, note original body position and any previous movements
(3) Obtain details of Ambo and destination
(4) Accompany the victim to hospital or attend the hospital without delay
What do you do when you arrive at hospital with the victim? (11)
(1) Obtain a medical opinion as to victim’s current medical status/condition
(2) Seize victims clothing and possessions
(3) Establish their identity
(4) Obtain a pre-transfusion blood sample (using Police toxicology kit)
(5) Seize discarded bandages and record where bandage has been applied
(6) Arrange GSR (where applicable)
(7) Note and photograph injuries
(8) Arrange DNA swabs of skin (where applicable)
(9) Obtain details of all persons who visit/contact victim
(10) Conduct scoping interview. If likely to die, consider recording immediate statement (may still be admissible)
(11) Conduct prelim interview with Ambo/emergency staff
What do you do when the victim shows no signs of life? (13)
(1) Consider Ambo / CPR. If victim needed to be moved, note and record original position and movements
(2) Remain with the body until relieved
(3) Arrange a doctor to pronounce life extinct (unless death is obvious)
(4) Treat victim as a scene (don’t move body)
(5) Instruct medical staff to leave victim clothed
(6) If treatment given, request that tubes, needles, bandages etc are left in situ
(7) Conduct scoping interviews with medical staff to establish actions, injuries and cause of death
(8) Ascertain and record if victim communicated with any person before death
(9) Record body position, lividity, injuries and clothing
(10) Objectively record everything observed using all five senses
(11) Record all exhibits
(12) Sketch a plan of body position and position of exhibits
(13) Provide all information to OC
What initial action should take place to preserve a scene?
(1) Gather info and conduct initial appreciation
(2) Consider warrantless powers to secure scene
(3) Establish scene parameters
(4) Establish common approach path
(5) Remove persons from scene with minimal disturbance
(6) Establish and brief scene guards
(7) Arrange Crime Scene Log
(8) Record all movements/actions within scene
(9) Preserve scene and leave in situ
(10) Take immediate action to preserve and record evidence at risk of disturbance
(11) Take photographs / video recordings of scene and any person at the scene
(12) Record anything that has been moved or touched
What is a Crime Scene Log?
A record of the details, time and purpose of all person who enter, attempt to enter or leave the crime scene, and any other relevant activity around the scene that is relevant
What is the purpose of a Crime Scene Log and Scene Guard?
(1) Ensure that there is no unauthorised entry into the scene
(2) Protect the integrity of evidence
(3) Ensure intelligence opportunities are maximised
(4) Ensure contamination issues are managed
