Part 1 - Initial Response to homicide or serious crime Flashcards
What are the 3 primary functions of initial police responders at a serious crime scene?
What is the first consideration?
Answer:
- Attending the scene at an early stage
- Coordinating tasks
- Taking control of the situation
A. C. T.
Answer: What risk(s) may exist
What can positive action during the initial stages of an investigation provide?
Hint:
M A L. M O - S R I A A. E
Answer:
- Minimise any loss
- Maximise opportunities to secure relevant info
- i.e intelligence and admissible evidence
What act covers police obligations of maximizing safety and minimizing risk?
What Police framework will assist in safety and risk assessment?
Answer:
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Answer:
T.E.N.R - Operational threat assessment
What kind of incidents may not be readily identifiable as a homicide?
Answer: The instances may include: - 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 a body present - hit and run vehicular collision - suicide - fatal fire - drug related deaths -
What are the initial responsibilities of the general investigation model - VAWSEEPO
Alternate acronym - SAVE POWE r
Answer:
Victim - Identify and Locate the victim
Appreciation - make initial appreciation of incident
Witnesses - Locate and contain witnesses
Scene - Preserve the scene (set boundaries)
Exhibits - Note evidence and preserve any that would otherwise be lost or destroyed
Elements - 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 suspects
What are the most import 4 things to consider at a scene?
Answer:
Freeze, Control, Guard, Preserve
F. C . G. P.
What is an appreciation?
Answer:
-Proven method of problem solving
- Process follows a series of set steps to ensure the optimum course of action decided upon
- Weighs benefits and risks of all alternative solutions
- Considers all appropriate factors
P P W C
What are the key benefits from making an appreciation?
Answer:
Effective use of RESOURCES
INFORMS all police of what they are EXPECTED to achieve
Establishes a SEQUENCE of activities to be carried out
Ensures nothing OVERLOOKED
Reduces UNCERTAINTY
Manages RISK
Increases the CHANCES of success
Eliminates DUPLICATION
R. E.S. O. U .R. C. e D
Resources Expected Sequence Overlooked Uncertainty Risk Chances e ------------- Duplication
What is an AIM?
Answer:
A short one line statement which succinctly demonstrates a single objective
What must an AIM be?
Answer:
Clear, Accurate, Consise
Wrong aim = Wrong result
Aim of appreciation important when making decisions
What is meant by the term FACTORS in an appreciation?
Answer:
Any circumstance or fact that could have an effect on the manner in which the desired outcome is achieved
Examples of factors are: Risk to life location of suspects resources available evidence preservation environment weather.....
What 2 word “catch phrase” should you ask when considering factors?
Answer:
So What. Therefore … prompts a logical conclusion derived from the question “What does this mean”
Any deductions made must be examined to see if they produce further deductions
What is meant by the term COURSES OPEN in an appreciation?
Answer:
Courses open is a list of all the possible ways the aim could be achieved considering the factors and deductions made from those factors
What must be considered in any courses open ?
Answer:
The advantages, disadvantages, risks must be carefully examined and evaluated for each alternative
What questions must be asked of the COURSES OPEN?
Answer:
What are the possible results or consequences for each alternative.
Which alternative is the most appropriate
From the considerations, decide on the most appropriate
What is meant by the term PLAN in an appreciation?
Answer:
A plan is a proposed course of action designed to put the selected course into action to achieve the aim
When going to a scene What list of factors must be considered?
Hint:
D. A. D. A. S. - C. H. A. I. R
Answer:
DETAILS of informant/complainant. Contact
ANYONE else at scene. Their details
DEMEANOUR of informant/complainant
ACCOUNT of what informant/complainant knows
SCENE location details
CIRCUMSTANCES leading to discovery
HAZARDS or safety issues that may affect Police approaching scene or victim
ACTIONS the informant/complainant has taken or where they have been
IDENTITY and location of the suspect
RELATIONSHIP of informant/complainant to victim or suspect
D. A. D. A. S C. H. A. I. R
What may an informant be asked to do to reduce risk of evidence being lost of contaminated?
Answer:
Return to proximity of scene to guard it if safe to do so
Not to enter the obvious boundaries of the scene
Not to touch or move anything
prevent others from entering or touching scene
Await police arrival and identify themselves
What must be accessed in terms of Risk for initial action?
Answer:
What form of INITIAL action should be taken CONTAMINATION to the scene Conduct an APPRECIATION RECONNAISANCE should be conducted WHO present at scene HIDDEN offender INJURED people PHYSICAL risks
I. C. A. R. W. H. I. P.
What should be done if the victim is alive?
Answer:
Call an ambulance and consider resuscitation
Note original position of body and record previous movements
Record ambo crew details
Destination must be recorded
Detective should attend hospital without delay
What are the actions to be undertaken at the hospitals for a victim of a serious crime?
Hint:
M. I. C. R. O. B. B. D. I. P. P
Answer:
MEDICAL opinion about victim obtained
IDENTITY of victim established
CLOTHING and other possessions of victim seized
Arrange firearms RESIDUE samples where firearm use suspected
OBTAIN any details of people that visited or contacted the victim
Obtain pre-transfusion BLOOD sample (Police tox kit)
Seize discarded BANDAGES used to cover gunshot wounds. record position of bandage
Arrange DNA swabs from the victims skin
Conduct scoping INTERVIEW with victim
(if victim may die record an immediate statement)
Conduct PRELIM interview with ambo and ED staff
Note and PHOTOGRAPH any injuries
M. I. C. R. O. B. B. D. I. P. P
Where victim shows no sign of life what are the actions undertaken?
Answer:
Consider calling the ambo and resuscitation
Remain with body until relieved by CIB or NCO
Arrange doctor to pronounce life extinct
Treat victim as a scene
Instruct medical staff to leave clothes on the body
If medical treatment given keep all medical items and left in situ
Conduct scoping interviews
Ascertain if victim spoke to anyone before death
Record body position, lividity, obvious injuries, everything observed, senses sound and smell
Record all exhibits
Provide full info to OC Investigation
CRATII CARRP
In relation to a statement What is admissible if the victim dies?
Answer:
Statement may be admissible as hearsay statement under s18(1) of Evidence Act 2006
What are the circumstances to consider under the section 16(1) of the Evidence Act 2006
Answer:
Nature of the statement
Contents of the statement
Circumstances relating to the making of the statement
Circumstances to the veracity of the person
Circumstances relating to the accuracy of the observation of the person
What actions are done to preserve a scene?
Answer:
Consider - photographs or video of scene
Record - observe and make notes, sketch
Identify - crime scene, cap, provide sitrep
Secure - prevent unauthorized persons, prevent loss of evidence from weather animals
Preserve - best path to scene, stepping plates, leave in situ
C. R. I. S. P.
List what considerations should be made when attending a scene?
Answer: Search and surveillance powers Common approach paths Related crime scenes Establish Crime Scene (exhibits, weapons or items suspect may have discarded) What's happening at scene Providing SITREP Establishing scene HQ Note and recording observations Gathering information
S. C. R. E. W. P. E. N. G
What are the points to consider to secure a scene?
Answer: S and S powers 2012 that can be exercised Remove all persons from the scene Establish cordons Arrange and brief scene guards Arrange crime scene logs Prevent unauthorised persons Prevent loss or damage to evidence by weather, animals or other factors
What are the points to consider to preserve a scene?
Answer:
Consider best path to scene
Record movements /Action
Preserve what is there and leave in situ
Consider using stepping plates (if no risk to life)
Be prepared to take immediate action to preserve scene or record evidence that may change
What collection of information may be considered at a scene?
Answer:
Photographs of scene and persons initially at the scene
What must be recorded at a scene?
Answer:
Integrity of scene by recording the following:
Identify items that have been moved. note original and eventual positions
Movements to and from scene and within. Kept in logs
Make accurate record of facts.
Report to OC Investigation ASAP
Complete sketch of scene
Observe and record full notes
Photograph the scene, consider video
IM MR COP
What is the definition of the Crime scene log?
Answer:
Records details , time, pupose of all persons who enter, attempt to enter or leave a scene and activity around the crime scene
What is the purpose of a scene log?
Answer:
No unauthorised entry to the scene
Intelligence opportunities maximized
Contamination issues are managed
Evidence integrity
N. I. C. E
List the duties of a scene guard
Answer:
SECURE scene - restrict access
CONTROL movements - Direct to use CAP
RECORD movements - persons, vehicles to, from and near scene
AVOID disturbance - do not enter or contaminate the scene
PROTECT scene - watch for activity such as presence of animals
RECORD details - maintain scene log for all persons authorised to enter
BRIEF Others - Communicate to OC Scene or Crime scene coordinator and replacement on all matters
INFORM others - report actions to OC Scene or Crime Scene coordinator
RESPECT security Do not discuss events with others like bystanders, media witnesses
DEMONSTRATE courtesy - when dealing with civilian witnesses
S. C. R. A. P. R. B. I. R. D
What steps are required obtaining key material from witnesses?
Answer: 1-8 steps as follows
- Isolate witnesses.
- Seize any CCTV
- Assemble people in clear area
- What phone calls were made from the scene
- Full details of persons at scene
- Identify witnesses. Scoping interviews
- Record rego no.s of cars to establish drivers/passengers in the area
- Establish persons who left scene
I S. A. W. F. I. R. E
What is the 12 step procedure for dealing with suspects at the scene?
Answer:
1. Separate suspect from other persons at scene
- Remove suspect from scene by consent or lawful justification (K9 or detain)
- Condition of suspect. Injured, influenced by alcohol , drugs mental or medical impairment
- Note suspects appearance and behaviour.
- Consider grounds for arrest and most appropriate offence if suspect refuses to cooperate
- Caution suspect if arrested or detained (use appropriate to age)
- Consider search of suspect, vehicle or belongings. Justification under S and S 2012
- Consider search in vicinity of suspect. recover discarded or secreted evidence
- Prevent cross contamination. Officers not at scene to manage suspect
- Record what suspect says. Consider prelim interview
- Whenever possible consider interview on DVD
- Brief OC investigation. Highlight significant movement, risks or cross contamination at the scene.
What must you consider about media at the scene?
Answer:
Keep them away from immediate crime scene
Do not comment about the incident
consult with OC Investigation
Identify media members and where they are located
What 4 actions would a OC investigation do for initial response at a scene? …“The 4 What questions”
Answer: What has occurred What action has been taken What has not been done What needs to be done
What actions are on the checklist prior to visiting scene?
Answer: Make appreciation Develop a plan Assess own safety and preserve lives of others Freeze control, guard, preserve Identify and apprehend suspects Contain and control witnesses Preserve scene
When En route to a scene what actions must you consider?
Answer:
Look out for suspect
Stopping vehicles attempting to leave the scene
Prioritise tasks and assign duties - VOWES
C.O.N.T.R.O.L all people from the scene so no contamination
Clear scene Order witness to assembly point Not to discuss anything Take witness to station if willing Rivals to be kept apart Obtain full details Left the area... who has left?
F.R.E.E.Z.E the scene means:
Freeze all movement to and from Remove wandering animals Ensure nothing is touched Every activity is stopped Z... Exhibits protected
G.U.A.R.D the scene
Guards to be appointed Use civilians if necessary Assemble point (safe area) Rolls of emergency tape to be used Define boundary (start big)
