Part 1 - Initial Response to Homicide or Serious Crime

Question 1

What are the primary functions of an initial Police responder to a homicide or serious crime?

Answer 1

• Attending the scene at an early stage
• Taking control of the situation
• Co-ordinating tasks

Question 2

Examples of incidents that are not initially identifiable as a homicide

Answer 2

• Report of a missing person
• Sudden unexplained death of an infant
• Unexplained death
• Report of an abduction
• Report of violence where no fatalities are anticipated
• Crime scene without body present
• Hit and run vehicular collision
• Suicide
• Fatal fire
• Drug related deaths

Question 3

The actions of the first responders have a critical effect on an investigation and the potential for gathering evidence. List the points in the general investigation model that should be applied in all cases?
VAWSEEPO

Answer 3

Victim
Identify and locate the victim(s).

Appreciation
Make an initial appreciation of the incident. Assess personal risk and then preserve the lives of others.

Witnesses
Locate and contain witnesses.

Scene
Preserve the scene (e.g. set boundaries).

Exhibits
Note evidence and preserve any that would otherwise be lost or destroyed.

Elements/Ingredients
Consider whether the ingredients of the alleged offence have been established.

Powers
Identify what powers are available and consider whether to execute them.

Offenders
Identify and apprehend suspect(s).

Question 4

Define:
Appreciation

Answer 4

An appreciation is a proven method of problem solving.

The process follows a series of steps to ensure the optimum course of action is decided upon.

It is an ongoing process which involves continually thinking through each new piece of information as it is uncovered.

Police attending a serious crime incident must make an appreciation before making decisions and prioritising tasks.

Question 5

What are the key benefits of applying an appreciation technique?

Must know

Answer 5

• Informs all Police what they are expected to achieve
• Increases the chances of success, i.e. the investigative aims/objectives being met
• Establishes a sequence of activities to be carried out
• Manages risk
• Reduces uncertainty
• Eliminates duplication
• Ensures nothing is overlooked
• Effective use of resources

Question 6

AFCOP

Answer 6

Aim
Factor
Courses Open
Plan

Question 7

Aim

Answer 7

An aim is a short (one line) statement which succinctly demonstrates a single objective

• The aim must be clear, concise and accurate.
• It must be chosen carefully as the wrong aim will produce the wrong result.
• The aim should be borne in mind at all times, particularly when making decisions

Question 8

Factors

Answer 8

Definition:
A factor is any circumstance or fact that could possibly have an effect on the manner in which you will achieve your desired outcome.

Ask the question “So what… Therefore”

Examples:
- The environment
- Weather conditions
- Further risk to life
- Location of possible suspect
- Resources available

Question 9

Courses open

Answer 9

Courses open are a list of all the possible ways the aim could be achieved, bearing in mind the factors and the deductions made from those factors

Question 10

Plan

Answer 10

A plan is a proposed course of action designed to put the selected course into action in order to achieve the desired aim

Question 11

What are the two main purposes for Police attending a scene of any death?

Must know

Answer 11

Police’s purpose is always to:

• Investigate thoroughly and
• Gather sufficient evidence to explain the circumstances of the death.

Question 12

It is a priority to obtain all available information from complainants/informants as they may be the only source of information available until Police attend.

Every effort should be made to obtain:

Answer 12

• identity and location of the suspect
• a first-hand account of what they know
• precise details of the location of the scene
• circumstances leading to the discovery
• identity of the victim
• details of anyone else at the scene
• full contact details
• their demeanour
• their relationship to the victim or suspect
• details of action they have taken and where they have been
• details of any hazards or safety issues that may affect Police approaching the scene/victim.

Question 13

If there is a delay between the initial report and Police arriving, to prevent loss or contamination of evidence, the complainant/informant may be asked:

Answer 13

• to return to the proximity of the scene, and guard it, if it is considered safe for them to do so
• not to enter the obvious boundaries of the scene
• not to touch or move anything
• to prevent others from entering or touching the scene
• to await Police arrival and identify themselves to the first Police at the scene.

Question 14

What are the 3 categories of a victims medical status?

Must know

Answer 14

• Alive and uninjured
• Alive but injured
• Shows no signs of life

Question 15

If a victim is alive and uninjured…

Answer 15

Proceed to preserving the scene

Question 16

If a victim is alive but injured…

Answer 16

Call an ambulance
Consider resuscitation if appropriate
If the victim has to be moved for this purpose, note the original body position and record any previous movements
If it is necessary for the victim to be transferred to hospital by ambulance, details of the ambulance crew and their destination must be recorded.
If practicable, a detective should accompany the victim to hospital. Otherwise, a detective should attend hospital without delay.

Question 17

On arrival at hospital, the detective should follow the following steps

Answer 17

1. Obtain a medical opinion as to the victim’s current medical condition
2. Seize the victims clothing and other possessions as evidence
3. Establish the victim’s identity
4. Obtain a pre-transfusion blood sample using Police Toxicology Kit containers
5. Seize any discarded bandages used to cover gunshot wounds and record the position on the victim where each bandage had been applied.
6. Arrange firearms residue samples in cases where firearm use is suspected, including from the victim of any apparent suicide involving a firearm.
7. Note and photograph any injuries
8. Arrange DNA swabs to be taken from the victim’s skin, where they would be relevant to the particular circumstances of the case.
9. Obtain details of any and all persons who visit or contact the victim
10. Conduct a scoping interview with the victim to establish what happened and who was involved; where this would not adversely affect the medical welfare of the victim.
    If it is anticipated the victim may die, consider recording an immediate statement, whether the victim can sign it or not.
    If the victim subsequently dies, their statement may be admissible in proceedings as hearsay evidence, under section 18(1) of the Evidence Act 2006.
11. Conduct a preliminary interview with ambulance and emergency staff who treated the victim, to establish what happened and who was involved.

Question 18

If a victim subsequently dies, can a statement they made prior to dying be admissible in proceedings?

Must know

Answer 18

Yes, If the victim subsequently dies, their statement may be admissible in proceedings as hearsay evidence, under sec 18(1) EA06.

Sec 18 EA06 - General admissibility of hearsay
(1) A hearsay statement is admissible in any proceeding if
(a) the circumstances relating to the statement provide reasonable assurance that the statement is reliable; and
(b) either
(i) the maker of the statement is unavailable as a witness; or
(ii) the Judge considers that undue expense or delay would be caused if the maker of the statement were required to be a witness

Question 19

Police taking a statement from a victim who may subsequently die must record any factors which demonstrate the reliability of the statement or its maker.

What are the circumstances that must be considered under sec 16(1) EA06 when determining the reliability of a statement or its maker?

Must know

Answer 19

• the nature of the statement
• the contents of the statement
  the circumstances relating to:
• the making of the statement
• the veracity of the person
• the accuracy of the observation of the person

Question 20

Preserving the scene

Police who arrive at the scene first should follow these steps

Answer 20

Identify
Secure
Preserve
Consider
Record

Question 21

Preserving the scene

Identify

Answer 21

• Gather info and carry out initial assessment of the scene
• Establish the crime scene, extend parameters as widely as possible
• Consider possible approach paths and Establish a common approach path
• Note and record observations
• Establish a scene headquarters and safe arrival/assembly points
• Provide sitrep to comms

Question 22

Explain Common Approach Path

Must know

Answer 22

A common approach path must be established for all movement into and out of the scene, using a path which avoids any route possibly taken to and from the scene by the suspect or the victim

Question 23

Preserving the scene

Secure

Answer 23

• Sec 116 SAS Act 2012 Power to secure scene
• Remove all persons without disturbing the scene using the CAP
• Cordon parameters using Police emergency tape
• Arrange and brief scene guards
• Arrange crime scene logs
• Prevent unauthorised persons entering or leaving
• Prevent any further loss or damage to evidence caused by weather or animals

Question 24

Preserving the scene

Preserve

Answer 24

• Consider the best path into the scene.
• Record any movements or 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 record evidence that may change if nothing is done. Eg rain may damage a footprint or bloodstain

Question 25

Preserving the scene

Consider

Answer 25

If initial photos of the scene and persons present are necessary

Question 26

Preserving the scene

Record

Answer 26

• The integrity of the scene by establishing and maintaining a crime scene log of movements, names, times and reasons for entry and exit to the scene.
• Observe and record full notes of precise details of the scene, particularly the location of the victim.
• Complete a sketch of the scene.
• Photograph the scene and consider using video recording.
• Identify anything which is moved, noting the original and eventual positions.
• Make an accurate record of these facts and report them to the OC Investigation at an early stage

Question 27

What procedure should police follow if a suspect is identified at the scene

Answer 27

• Separate and remove
• Condition of the suspect (injured, alcohol, drugs, medical, mental)
• Powers of arrest and S&S
• BOR
• Search suspect, vehicle, belongings, area
• Appearance and behaviour (edgy, shocked, agitated, clothes ripped, stained)
• Record everything they say
• Video recorded interview
• Brief the OC Investigation

Question 28

What do you do if members of the media are present at the scene?

Answer 28

• Keep them away from the immediate crime scene cordon
• Make no comment about the incident
• Consult with the OC Investigation and explain what has happened
• Identify media members and where they are located

Question 29

Scene Guard Duties
What to brief the Scene Guard

Answer 29

Secure scene
- deny access unless authorised

Record details
- name, designation, times, purpose, authority to enter

Control and Record Movements
- CAP, anything to from and near the scene

Protect Scene
- animals, remain until relieved

Brief Replacement
- hand on crime scene log

Inform Others
- report to OC Scene and OCI