Part 1 - Initial Response Flashcards
Initial Investigation Model
Victim - identify and locate
Appreciation - initial appreciation of incident, assess personal risk and preserve life
Witnesses - locate and contain
Scene - preserve
Exhibits - note evidence and preserve any that would otherwise be lost or destroyed
Elements - consider ingredients of alleged offence
Powers - identify powers available and consider execution
Offenders - identify and apprehend
Appreciation
Method of problem solving. Follows a series of steps of ensure optimum course of action. Considers all appropriate factors and weighs the benefits and risks, allowing sound decisions.
Benefits of the appreciation technique
- Informs all Police what they are expected to achieve
- Increasess the chances of success
- Establishes a sequence of activities
- Manages risk
- Reduces uncertainty
- Eliminates duplication
- Ensures nothing is overlooked
- Effective use of resources
Appreciation steps
Aim - a short statement which succinctly demonstrates a single objective. Must be clear, accurate and concise.
Factors - any circumstance or fact that could possibly have an effect on the manner in which you will achieve your desired outcome.
Courses Open - a list of all the possible ways the aim could be achieved.
Plan - a proposed course of action designed to put the selected course into action.
Victim - alive but injured
At hospital
1 - Obtain medical opinion of victim’s current medical condition
2 - Seize the victims’s clothing and other possessions
3 - Establish identity
4 - Obtain a pre-transfusion blood sample using Police Toxicology Kit containers
5 - Seize discarded bandages used to cover gunshot wounds, record position of bandage
6 - Arrange firearms residue samples
7 - Note and photograph injuries
8 - Arrange DNA swabs to be taken from victim’s skin
9 - Obtain details of all persons who visit or contact victim
10 - Conduct scoping interview with victim - what happened, who was involved
11 - Conduct prelim with ambulance and emergency staff
Victim - shows no signs of life
1 - Consider ambulance and resuscitation
2 - Remain with body until relieved
3 - Arrange doctor to pronounce life extinct unless obvious i.e. decapitated or decomposed
4 - Treat victim as a scene (do not move unnecessarily)
5 - Instruct medical staff to leave clothes on body
6 - If medical treatment given then leave medical items (connecting tubes, needles, bandages) in situ
7 - Conduct scoping interviews with medical staff - their actions, apparent cause of death and injury
8 - Ascertain if the victim spoke to anyone before death and record what was said
9 - Record position, lividity, obvious injuries and clothing
10 - Record everything observed using all senses including sight, sound, smell
11 - Record all exhibits
12 - Sketch a plan including position of body and position of exhibits
13 - Provide full information to OC at an early stage
Initial action to preserve a scene
1 Identify - Gather information and carry out initial assessment. Consider warrantless powers. Establish the scene itself, keep wide. Establish Common Approach Path avoiding suspect/victim routes. What’s happening, who is there? Record observations. Provide SITREP to Comms.
2 Secure - Exercise powers (S&S Act 2012 Section 116) to secure scene where necessary. Remove all persons in scene minimising disturbance. Establish cordons using tape. Arrange and brief scene guards. Arrange Crime Scene Logs. Prevent unauthorised access. Prevent futher loss or damage to evidence.
3 Preserve - Consider best path. Record movements / actions taken. Preserve and leave in situ. Consider stepping plates.
4 Consider - if initial photos of scene and persons present are necessary.
5 Record - Log movements, names, times and resons for entry and exit. Observe and record precise details of scene. Complete sketch of scene. Photo scene and consider video record. Identify anything moved, noting original and eventual position.
Scene Guard Duties
Secure scene - deny any person access unless authorised by OC
Record details - maintain crime scene log and note - name and designation, authority to enter, purpose of visit, time of entry and exit
Control movements - ensure everyone entering is directed to the Common Approach Path
Record movements - record all movement and vehicle details to, from and near the scene
Brief others - promptly communicate relevant information
Avoid disturbance - do not personally enter, contaminate or interfere
Protect scene - be vigilant for activity, presence of animals which may feed on body
Brief replacement - brief oncoming guard
Respect security - do not discuss with witnesses, bystanders, media
Demonstrate courtesy - when dealing with witnesses and crowds
Inform others - report any actions taken to OC
Initial questioning of a witness
- what happened
- where exactly the incident happened
- when it happened
- who was involved
- what the witness did
- where the witness went
- what the witness touched
- who touched the witness
- who else was present
- descriptions of those present
- what did those other people present say/do
Forensic evidence from a witness at a scene
- immediate DNA swabs of any areas of the witness that the suspect may have touched
- immediate DNA swabs of any blood present on the witness
- immeidate swabs of any other relevant stains present on the witness
- forensic medical examination i.e. fingernail scrapings, hair combing, etc.
- seizure of clothing and footwear
- seizure of any items of property touched by the suspect
Steps in obtaining key material from witnesses
1 - obtain full details of all persons present
2 - assemble people in a clear area, ensuring an officer remains with them
3 - isolate witneses to reduce likelihood of contamination and/or collusion
4 - idnentify witnesses and conduct brief scoping interview
5 - establish whether any persons have left
6 - if witness has made phone calls, establish numbers called and who answered
7 - record registration numbers of nearby vehicles
8 - seize CCTV
Procedure for suspects
1 - separate suspects from other persons
2 - consider condition of suspect - injured, influence of alcohol/drugs, suffering from medical/mental impairment
3 - ask them to remain at scene and co-operate with Police. Remove from scene by consent or with lawful justification ASAP
4 - if suspect refuses to co-operate consider grounds to arrest and most appropriate offence
5 - consider using officers who have not entered scene to manage suspect to prevent cross contamination
6 - caution
7 - considering searching suspect and suspect’s vehicle and belongings to prevent CADD and for safety
8 - consider searching vicinity of suspect
9 - note suspect’s appearance and behaviour
10 - record everything suspect says
11 - wherever possible, DVD interview
12 - brief OC
