Part 12: Role of OC Suspects

Question 1

What is the purpose of O/C suspects and what they are responsible for - list four things.

Answer 1

• Obtaining information about suspects and persons of interests, as they are identified by the OC investigation
• Seeking evidence to cover all elements of the offences
• Mitigating and dealing with possible defences that may be raised, where appropriate
• Providing a basis for further investigation

Question 2

Purpose

Management of suspects falls into three categories and where appropriate, the OC Investigation will prepare a strategy dealing with each:

Answer 2

• Identification and profiling
• Arrest/termination
• Interviewing

Question 3

Briefing the Suspects Team

Their initial briefing should encompass:

Answer 3

• 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 MO have been identified

Question 4

Identifying suspects

When identifying possible suspects, they may be indicated from or by multiple lines of enquiry, such as:

Answer 4

• Area canvass
• Police noting linking suspect to relevant area
• Fingerprints
• DNA samples
• Witness Evidence
• CHIS

Question 5

Why is it important for the o/c suspect to keep team members debriefed about suspect?

Answer 5

The OC Suspects phase must regularly debrief their team members 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.

Question 6

Medical examination

The OC Suspects will arrange, in consultation with the OC Investigation, for a Police doctor to examine the suspect. The doctor must:

Answer 6

• Note injuries
• Take samples using MEK
• Swab for firearms residue
• Provide professional opinion on the condition of the suspect

Question 7

Obtain identifying details:

To confirm the identity of the suspect

Answer 7

• Obtain fingerprints, foot prints, palm prints, and blood for DNA analysis
• Arrange photographs - front face, full profile, body length, any injuries, tattoos or scars
• Obtain samples of handwriting
• Record physical description of suspect

Question 8

When a suspect is arrested for a homicide or other similar serious crime, the following documentation must be completed:

Answer 8

• NIA entry
• Message to Deputy Commissioner: Operations by completing an update on the serious incident report database
• Cancellation of NIA ‘wanted’ references

Question 9

In investigating any alibi offered, O/C suspects must;

Answer 9

• 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.