Part 10 - Witness management in homicide

Question 1

Scene witness proximate to events evidence transferred.

What action interviewing Police take prior to interview and then state types of physical evidence that may be present.

Answer 1

• consider warrantless powers.
• consider immediate DNA swabs (area on witness touched, blood, stains present)
• forensics medical examination
• seizure of clothes/footwear

Physical evidence:
Fibre
Body fluids
Glass
Other materials

Question 2

In a serious crime, Doctors may examine suspect (other than injuries and taking samples) What else can Doctors report on ?

Answer 2

• provide a professional opinion regarding the conditions of the suspect
• swab the suspect hand for firearm residue

Question 3

2 reasons why important to do risk assessment relating to witness of serious offences

Answer 3

• Establish the extent to which a witness might be a risk of intimidation and or physical harm.
• Different forms of intimidation, ranging from fear of going court to life being at serious risk

Question 4

What information to gain from the informant/complainant which will assist the investigation ?

Answer 4

• Identity and location of suspect
• Identity of the Victim
• What the informants knows
• Location of the scene
• Circumstances leading to the discovery
• Detail of anyone else at the scene
• Full contact details of complainant/informant

Question 5

State why it is important that Police who have first contact with the informant to a serious offend should be debriefed regarding the contact ?

Answer 5

If the informant is later identified as a suspect

Question 6

When Crown solicitor directs Police to interview alibi witness - action Police take

Answer 6

• Make enquiries to determine the veracity of the alibi
• Conduct inquiries as directed by OC investigation and the Crown solicitor including NIA checks on the alibi witness
• forward results of these enquiries to the Crown Solicitor, including any FWS obtained

Question 7

When appointing an officer to interview a witness to a serious offence, what 4 main issues should be considered regarding the potential interviewing officer?

Answer 7

• Level of training
• Experience the officer has in interviewing witnesses in major investigations
• Suitability of the officer to undertake the interview

Question 8

State the types of information that could be obtained by an early prelim interview.

Answer 8

• Early identification or arrest of a suspect
• Recovery of evidence or information relevant to the offence
• Prevention of the imminent disposal of destruction of evidence connected to the investigation
• Prevention of the commission of other offences.

Question 9

When a witness is a court, what material may a witness use to refresh their memory prior to giving evidence ?

Answer 9

Reading previous signed FWS or interview transcript.

Question 10

During some course of some trials. Witness intimidation may occur. What info/action can OC do ?

Answer 10

• A risk assessment to be conducted to establish the extent to which a witness might be at risk of intimidation/ physical harm.
• Maintaining contact with witnesses. Can arrange for appropriate action to be taken such as witness protection programme