Part 1 - Initial Response to homicide or serious crime

Question 1

What are the 3 primary functions of initial police responders at a serious crime scene?

What is the first consideration?

Answer 1

Answer:

• Attending the scene at an early stage
• Coordinating tasks
• Taking control of the situation

A. C. T.

Answer:
What risk(s) may exist

Question 2

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 2

Answer:
- Minimise any loss

• Maximise opportunities to secure relevant info
• i.e intelligence and admissible evidence

Question 3

What act covers police obligations of maximizing safety and minimizing risk?

What Police framework will assist in safety and risk assessment?

Answer 3

Answer:
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015

Answer:
T.E.N.R - Operational threat assessment

Question 4

What kind of incidents may not be readily identifiable as a homicide?

Answer 4

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
-

Question 5

What are the initial responsibilities of the general investigation model - VAWSEEPO

Alternate acronym - SAVE POWE r

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What are the most import 4 things to consider at a scene?

Answer 6

Answer:
Freeze, Control, Guard, Preserve

F. C . G. P.

Question 7

What is an appreciation?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What are the key benefits from making an appreciation?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What is an AIM?

Answer 9

Answer:

A short one line statement which succinctly demonstrates a single objective

Question 10

What must an AIM be?

Answer 10

Answer:
Clear, Accurate, Consise
Wrong aim = Wrong result
Aim of appreciation important when making decisions

Question 11

What is meant by the term FACTORS in an appreciation?

Answer 11

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.....

Question 12

What 2 word “catch phrase” should you ask when considering factors?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What is meant by the term COURSES OPEN in an appreciation?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What must be considered in any courses open ?

Answer 14

Answer:

The advantages, disadvantages, risks must be carefully examined and evaluated for each alternative

Question 15

What questions must be asked of the COURSES OPEN?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What is meant by the term PLAN in an appreciation?

Answer 16

Answer:

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

Question 17

When going to a scene What list of factors must be considered?

Hint:
D. A. D. A. S. - C. H. A. I. R

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What may an informant be asked to do to reduce risk of evidence being lost of contaminated?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

What must be accessed in terms of Risk for initial action?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

What should be done if the victim is alive?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

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 21

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

Question 22

Where victim shows no sign of life what are the actions undertaken?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

In relation to a statement What is admissible if the victim dies?

Answer 23

Answer:

Statement may be admissible as hearsay statement under s18(1) of Evidence Act 2006

Question 24

What are the circumstances to consider under the section 16(1) of the Evidence Act 2006

Answer 24

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

Question 25

What actions are done to preserve a scene?

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

List what considerations should be made when attending a scene?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

What are the points to consider to secure a scene?

Answer 27

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

Question 28

What are the points to consider to preserve a scene?

Answer 28

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

Question 29

What collection of information may be considered at a scene?

Answer 29

Answer:

Photographs of scene and persons initially at the scene

Question 30

What must be recorded at a scene?

Answer 30

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

Question 31

What is the definition of the Crime scene log?

Answer 31

Answer:
Records details , time, pupose of all persons who enter, attempt to enter or leave a scene and activity around the crime scene

Question 32

What is the purpose of a scene log?

Answer 32

Answer:
No unauthorised entry to the scene

Intelligence opportunities maximized

Contamination issues are managed

Evidence integrity

N. I. C. E

Question 33

List the duties of a scene guard

Answer 33

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

Question 34

What steps are required obtaining key material from witnesses?

Answer 34

Answer: 1-8 steps as follows

1. Isolate witnesses.
2. Seize any CCTV
3. Assemble people in clear area
4. What phone calls were made from the scene
5. Full details of persons at scene
6. Identify witnesses. Scoping interviews
7. Record rego no.s of cars to establish drivers/passengers in the area
8. Establish persons who left scene

I S. A. W. F. I. R. E

Question 35

What is the 12 step procedure for dealing with suspects at the scene?

Answer 35

Answer:
1. Separate suspect from other persons at scene

2. Remove suspect from scene by consent or lawful justification (K9 or detain)
3. Condition of suspect. Injured, influenced by alcohol , drugs mental or medical impairment
4. Note suspects appearance and behaviour.
5. Consider grounds for arrest and most appropriate offence if suspect refuses to cooperate
6. Caution suspect if arrested or detained (use appropriate to age)
7. Consider search of suspect, vehicle or belongings. Justification under S and S 2012
8. Consider search in vicinity of suspect. recover discarded or secreted evidence
9. Prevent cross contamination. Officers not at scene to manage suspect
10. Record what suspect says. Consider prelim interview
11. Whenever possible consider interview on DVD
12. Brief OC investigation. Highlight significant movement, risks or cross contamination at the scene.

Question 36

What must you consider about media at the scene?

Answer 36

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

Question 37

What 4 actions would a OC investigation do for initial response at a scene? …“The 4 What questions”

Answer 37

Answer:
What has occurred
What action has been taken
What has not been done
What needs to be done

Question 38

What actions are on the checklist prior to visiting scene?

Answer 38

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

Question 39

When En route to a scene what actions must you consider?

Answer 39

Answer:
Look out for suspect
Stopping vehicles attempting to leave the scene
Prioritise tasks and assign duties - VOWES

Question 40

C.O.N.T.R.O.L all people from the scene so no contamination

Answer 40

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?

Question 41

F.R.E.E.Z.E the scene means:

Answer 41

Freeze all movement to and from
Remove wandering animals
Ensure nothing is touched
Every activity is stopped
Z...
Exhibits protected

Question 42

G.U.A.R.D the scene

Answer 42

Guards to be appointed
Use civilians if necessary
Assemble point (safe area)
Rolls of emergency tape to be used
Define boundary (start big)