Part 12 - Role of OC Suspects Flashcards
What is OC Suspect responsible for?
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
- thoroughly profiling and investigating 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
- providing a basis for further investigation
Briefing the suspects team
Must know
The first duty of the OC Suspects is to brief their suspects team members.
Their initial briefing should encompass:
- 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
Determine investigation priorities
Suspects must be investigated thoroughly 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
- the likelihood of their leaving the area
- a particular urgency in solving the case
- the availability of staff
Providing regular debriefs
The OC Suspects phase must regularly debrief their team members on the enquiries they have conducted and the results of these enquiries so 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
Understanding cross-contamination of multiple suspects
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 before transfer to OC Exhibits
Medical examination
In a serious crime a Police doctor may examine the suspect.
What must the doctor do?
Must know
1 - Note any injuries (wounds, marks, scratches, bruises)
2 - Take samples as necessary using a specialist MEK, including:
- blood
- saliva
- head hair
- pubic and body hair, if relevant
- fingernail scrapings
- swabs of the hands or other relevant areas
3 - Swab the hands for firearms residue using a specialist Firearms Detection Kit. Such residue may persist on the hands or clothing for up to three hours
4 - Provide a professional opinion regarding the condition of the suspect
5 - Record any explanations or comments made by the suspect about the offence or the cause of any injuries.
6 - Photograph of any relevant marks or injuries
Alibis
Whenever an alibi is put forward by an offender concerning a matter in respect of which proceedings have been commenced, it is the responsibility of the OC Suspects to make thorough enquiries to determine the veracity of the alibi and to fully report the result of these enquiries to the Crown Solicitor, via the 2IC
When investigating any alibi offered, the OC Suspects must establish:
- where the suspect was
- who they were with
- what they were doing at the time of the offence
- complete enquiries with people other than the alibi supplied
- Police are not obliged to provide disclosure regarding alibi enquiries
