Part 12 OC suspects Flashcards
- Management of suspect falls into three categories what are they?
- identification and profiling
- arrest/termination
- interviewing
- Who determines the status of a person within the investigation?
Responsibility for determining the status of a person within the investigation whether as a suspect, person of interest, witness or victim rests with the OC investigation. It would be incorrect for the OC suspects to make a unilateral decision to attribute an individual with the status of a suspect where time was available for the OC investigation to make that determination, albeit in consultation with the OC suspects
- Define a suspect?
A suspect is a person of interest who has gained added status because of a direct or indirect connection to the circumstances of the crime. Such connection might relate to motive, opportunity or means.
- The first duty of the oc suspect is to brief their suspects team. They should analyse the info available such as witness statements, police reports and information from the scene. The briefing should encompass what?
- the circumstances of the offence including an analysis of the scene and witness evidence available
- the full details of all persons of interest and any suspect, where the identity of suspects are known
- details of any descriptions of the suspect provided by witnesses
- whether any particular modus operandi/crime signatures have been identified
- What aspects might influence the setting of priorities?
Investigate all suspects throughly in order of priority as decided in consultation with the OC investigation. Aspects that might influence the setting of priorities are the relative weight of evidence against a person or the likelihood of their leaving the area. You may also be influenced by a particular urgency in solving the case or the availably of staff. Suspects must be investigated in order of priority.
Where there is no firm line of suspect enquiry, priority should be given to anonymous information, particularly during the early stages of the investigation. Information concerning the suspects identity must be acted on immediately
- What must the oc suspect regularly debrief their team members on?
The OC suspects phase must regularly debrief their team on the enquiries they have conducted and the results of these enquiries so that they can maintain a constant flow of information at conferences, between the members of the suspects team and other investigation staff. Priority information must be brought to the attention of the OC investigation as necessary.
- What is cross contamination and how can it be avoided?
Any potential for cross contamination must be eliminated by conducting an appreciation and applying stringent standard procedures for managing exhibits throughout the investigation.
Where more than one suspect is involved, an appreciation must be made regarding which staff are assigned to seize clothing from suspects. It is vitally important officers involved are fully aware of cross contamination issues and where possible, separate officers should be assigned to each suspect. Suspects must be kept apart including during travel in vehicles and when in cells. All clothing should be packaged, labelled and sealed in accordance with standard procedures before transfer to oc exhibits
- If a medical examination of the suspect is required the oc suspect will arrange this, the doctor must?
- note any injuries, such as scratches or bruises
- take samples identified as necessary by the oc investigation using a specialist mek kit including
- blood
- saliva
- head hair
- pubic and body hair, if relevant
- fingernail scrapings
- swabs of the suspects hands or other relevant areas
- swab the suspects hands for firearms residue using a specialist firearms detection kit as soon as possible where a firearm has been involved in an offence
- provide a professional opinion regarding the condition of the suspect
- What must the oc suspect investigate if an alibi is offered?
- make enquiries of people other than the persons whose particulars have been supplied to confirm or rebut evidence in support of the alibi
- complete enquiries to establish where the suspect was at the time of the offence, who they were with and what they were doing
- wherever possible, corroboration of the alibi provided by the suspect should be sought from forensic or other sources that are independent of the suspect
- The oc suspects is responsible for supervising the members of the suspects team for the purpose of?
- obtaining information about suspects and persons of interest, as they are identified by the oc investigation
- thoroughly profiling and investigation all suspects and persons of interest to enable the oc investigation to establish their involvement in the offence or eliminate them from the inquiry
- seeking evidence to cover all ingredients of the offence
- mitigating and dealing with possible defences that may be raised, where appropriate
- providing a basis for further investigation
- What things can indicate a suspect
- area canvass
- intelligence analysis
- police notings linking suspect to relevant area
- fingerprints
- DNA samples
- witness evidence
- police fv teams
- Chis
- response to publicity and media reports
- other police employees or groups such as
* the national intelligence centre
* neighbourhood policing teams - enquiries with external government agencies eg
* Cyfs
* corrections
* community probation service
* customs
* psychiatric services - enquiries made with non government agencies or at particular venues eg
* local ethnic and community groups
* hotels and hostels
- Prior to interviewing the suspect the OC suspects should what
- ensure the interviewer is fully briefed
- ensure the interviewer is familiar with the procedures outlined in the investigative interviewing suspect guide
- discuss with the interviewer the ingredients that need to be established, the suspects background, and possible alibis and motives
- ensure that the interviewer has prepared a detailed interview plan.
- During the interview of a suspect what must the OC suspects ensure
- the interview is conducted in accordance with the investigative interviewing suspect guide
- the interview is monitored by a supervisor or experienced detective to ensure that all key points and areas are covered
- ensure an explanation is sought from the suspect in relation to any exhibits found
