Part 1 - Initial Response Flashcards
The initial police responders must assess the situation quickly and carefully and decide what the most important things to do are, their primary functions include:
Attending the scenes at an early stage
Taking control of the situation
Coordinating tasks
ATC
Every person who undertakes a course of action at a serious crime scene must:
Consider what risks may exist
Identification of homicide cases:
Missing person Infant - sudden unexplained death Abduction Suicide Fire Unexplained death Crime scene without body present Drug related Vehicle collision
MIASFUCDV
The general investigation model that should be applied in all cases
Victim Appreciation Witnesses Scene Exhibits Ingredients Powers Offenders
VAWSEIPO
State 4 benefits of applying appreciation technique
Reduce uncertainty Overlooked - ensure nothing is Manages risk Eliminate duplication Resources effectively used
ROMER
What is a factor
A factor is a circumstance or fact that could possibly have an effect on the manner in which you will achieve your desired outcome.
Technique: ask the question “so what? What does this mean?” In order to thoroughly examine each factor and draw logical conclusions from it eg “I only have 5 staff available, so what does this mean”
The answer to this question leads to a logical conclusion or conclusions eg “I only have 5 staff, therefore I must prioritise the tasks to be completed”. The key word is therefore. This is because it prompts the logical conclusion that can be derived from the question “what does this mean”.
Any deductions made must in turn be examined themselves to see whether they in turn will yield further deductions and so on.
What are the two main purposes for Police attending the scene of any death?
Investigate thoroughly and gather sufficient evidence to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death
IT
GSE
SECOTD
What information should be obtained from the person reporting an incident
Suspect - ID and location Account - 1st hand of what they know Location of scene Circumstances leading to discovery Victim - ID 3 x details - anyone at scene, complaint/informant Relationship to victim/suspect Actions taken and where have they been Safety/Hazards at the scene
SALCV3DRAS
Name 4 task the informant/complainant could do prior to police arrival
In some circumstances a delay may occur between the initial report and Police arriving at the scene. During this time evidence may be lost or contaminated. In order to reduce risk what questions may you ask the complainant/informant;
Return to scene and guard it if safe to do so
Not to enter oblivious boundaries of the scene
Not to touch or move anything
Prevent others from entering or touching scene
Await police arrival and ID themselves to police
RNNPA
What should officers who have initial contact with the informant take care in recording
Note what they say, demeanour, clothing. These notes could become critical particularly if they are ID as a suspect
3 x victims medical status
Alive and uninjured
Alive but injured
Shows no signs of life
If victim may die you can record statement whether they sign it or not. What must be recorded
The court must be satisfied that both the content of the statement and the person who made it are reliable
Preserving the scene - what should be done
Consider best path into the scene
Record any movements/actions 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 risk to life, consider using stepping plates
Be prepared to take immediate action to preserve/record evidence that may change if nothing is done eg - rain may damage footprint or blood stain.
CRPSIA
What is a crime scene log
Records details, time and purpose of all persons who enter, attempt to enter, or leave the crime scene
As well as any activity around the crime scene which the scene guard perceives to be relevant to the case
What must be recorded in the crime scene log
Name and designation
Authority to enter
Purpose of visit
Time of entry and time of exit
NAPT
Obtaining forensic evidence from a witness
A plan must be prepared to preserve and recover all available physical evidence
Example of evidence: fibres, body fluids, glass or other material.
What is the priority if a suspect is at a scene
Identification
Apprehension
Isolation
What physical factors should be considered when it comes to a suspect
Consider the condition of the suspect, whether they are injured, under the influence of alcohol, drugs or suffer from a medical or mental impairment or other special consideration
If media are present at a scene
Keep them away from the immediate crime scene cordon
Make no comment about the incident
Consult with the OC investigation on arrival and explain what has happened
iD media members and where they are located
KMCI
What is a common approach path
Common Approach
Path (CAP) for all movements into and out of the scene; using a path
which avoids any route possibly taken to and from the scene by the
suspect(s) or the victim.
Used to prevent loss of evidence and cross contamination
Define an appreciation
An appreciation is a proven method of problem solving. The process follows a series of set steps to ensure the optimum course of action is decided. It considers all appropriate factors and weighs the benefits an risks of all alternate solutions, allowing sound decisions to be made.
An appreciation is a ongoing process which involves continually thinking through each new piece of information discovered.
In the appreciation technique what is the definition and technique of a “Plan”?
Definition:
A plan is a proposed course of action designed to put the selected course into action in order to achieve the desired aim.
Technique:
A plan must be;
-the logical outcome of the appreciation
-clear, concise and leaves no room for misinterpretation
-designed not to introduce matters not previously considered by the appreciation
-consistently considerate of satay issues
-recorded
-delvliered using “SMEAC” format
If a Victim is alive but injured you should request a ambulance and consider resuscitation if appropriate.
Also note the body position and record any previous movements of the Victim.
If the Victim is transferred to a hospital obtain details of ambo staff and their destination.
At the arrival of the hospital what 11 steps should you take?
- Establish Victims I.D
- Consider scoping interview with Victim (TEDS) - If Victim may die consider immediate statement as maybe admissible as hearsay (Section 18(1)).
- Note and photo injuries
- Seize Victims clothing/possessions
- Seize any discarded bandages and note where on Victim they were placed
- Obtain pre-transfusion blood sample using Police Toxicology Kits
- Consider DNA swabs from the Victims body
- Arrange firearms residue samples (firearms cases)
- Obtain medical opinion of Victims current medical condition
- Preliminary interview with ambo and emergency staff who treated the Victim.
- Obtain details of Visitors or people who contact the Victim
- If the Victim shows no sign of life what 13 steps should Police take? “CORPSED SAM”
Call - Call ambos and resuscitation - If Victim moved for this note the original position of the body
Obtain - confirmation of life extinct unless obvious
Record - everything - body position, clothes, exhibits, injuries, lividity, see, smell and hear
Provide - all information to O/C Investigation ASAP.
Sketch - or photograph body and exhibit positions
Ensure - body is not moved treat the body as a scene
Do - not leave the body until relieved by CIB Supervisor
Scoping - interviews with medical staff noting actions, cause of death and injuries
Ascertain - if Victim spoke with anyone. If so what was said?
Medical - staff to leave clothes on and any instruments used in situ
- What is the purpose of a Crime Scene Log? “COIN”
A crime scene log ensures
- Contamination - contamination issues managed
- Opportunities - intel opportunities are maximised
- Integrity - integrity of evidence or potential evidence is secured
- No - No unauthorised entry into the scene
- What steps should you take when dealing with suspects at a scene? “SCAN PRB”
- Separate - Separate from others at the scene.
- Consider - Consider searching suspect, vehicle or areas used by the suspect (SSA2012)
- Ask - Ask to remain and cooperate. Consider if suspect is arrested or detained - caution where appropriate. If refuse to cooperate consider grounds for arrest. Remove ASAP by consent or with lawful justification.
- Note - Note suspect appearance, behaviour and condition - injured, influence of drugs or alcohol, medical or mental conditions
- Prevent - Prevent cross contamination by using officers who have not entered the scene to deal with the suspect
- Record - Record what they say - if appropriate consider prelim. Whenever possible - suspect interviews should be conducted on Video
- Brief - Brief O/C investigation - highlight cross-contamination risks or movements involving the scene.
- What information should the O/C Investigation obtain from initial response officers?
- What has occurred?
- What action has been taken?
- What has been done?
- What needs to be done?
