Part 12. Suspects Flashcards
When appointing an OC suspects, what rank should they be?
A CIB supervisor ideally. DS or above
What is the purpose of the OC SUSPECTS/suspect team?
- obtain info about suspects as they are identified
- thoroughly profile and investigate all suspects/persons of interest
- seek evidence to cover all elements of the offence
- mitigate defences
Management of suspects falls into 3 categories. What are they?
(the OC INV should prep a strategy for each)
- identification
- arrest/termination
- interviewing
One of the OC SUSPECT’s responsibilities is to brief the suspects team. What should the initial briefing include?
- circumstances of the offence
- details of any persons of interest
- descriptions provided by witnesses
- any MO or crime signatures identified
Determining investigation priorities:
Suspects should be investigated in order of priority. But what if there is no firm line of suspect enquiry?
Priority should be given to anonymous info
List some ways suspects could be identified
Area canvas
Intelligence
CHIS
Notings
Fingerprints
DNA
Response to media reported
Other police
External enquires (corrections etc)
A careful risk assessment will be required prior to releasing any suspect description in the media. Media released should be authorised by _______
OC INV
What is FACES
A computerised facial ID system used to compile a likeness of an offender from a description supplied by a witness.
Should be done early when memory is fresh.
A photograph board should be set up displaying photographs and details of suspects whom you ________ or ________
Have interviewed
Wish to interview
What is TIE enquiriez
Trace
Interview
eliminate
What do TIE enquires do?
Identifies groups that may contain the offender by selecting a common characteristic ie associates of the victim or people in the vicinity of the scene.
Then you eliminate people by tracing and interviewing people
What are some things for the OC SUSPECTS to consider before any arrest/termination?
- decision to prosecute is in line with solicitor-generals guidelines
- clarity of Police position on bail?
- family of deceased are updated
- prompt prep of the prosecution file
- compliance with the file/disclosure manager
What are some things for the OC SUSPECTS to consider before any interview of a suspect?
- liaise with OC INV - should a L2/3 interviewer be used?
- video or otherwise?
- establish the persons status as a witness, person of interest, or suspect (ie caution rights or not)
- any special consideration ie disability or religious/cultural factors
- make sure interviewer if fully briefed
- discuss elements to be covered and any possible alibis and motives
What are some things for the OC SUSPECTS to consider during any interview of a suspect?
- make sure it’s conducted in accordance with interviewing suspects guide
- interview must be monitored by a supervisor or experienced detective to ensure all key points are covered etc
- ensure explanation is sought from suspect re any exhibits found
What are some things for the OC SUSPECTS to consider after an arrest is made
- make sure suspects isolated from each other
- ensure BOR given
- consider search of person/place/vehicle/workplace etc
What are some things for the OC SUSPECTS to consider on executing search warrants for a suspect?
- strategy for search? (Forensics?)
- what legal authority exists?
- photographer/fingerprints to attend?
- OC Exhibits to attend or if not possible appoint a scene exhibits officer
- search property/vehicles
- assess relevance of exhibits found
- photograph in situ
Describe some ways which you might avoid cross-contamination?
If more than one suspect is involved, separate officers should be assigned to each suspect.
Suspects should be kept apart including travel and cells
The OC SUSPECTS often organises a police doctor to examine the suspect. The doctor must do what things? (4)
- Note injuries ie scratches, bruises
- Take samples ie blood, saliva, head hair, pubic hair, fingernail scrapings
- Swab suspects hands for firearm residue etc
- Provide professional opinion regarding the condition of the suspect
What happens if a suspect refuses a s88 search for evidential material on their body?
Reasonable force may be used to conduct the search
If you do a suspect reconstruction of the scene it should be on ______
Video
“Obtaining identifying particulars” may involve more than just a photo and fingerprints…. Such as ….???
Footprints, palm prints, DNA, full body photos, front and side, of any tattoos/scars etc, handwriting samples, record physical description
What 3 documentation things must be completed when a suspect is arrested for a homicide or something suspect serious like that
- NIA entry
- message to the deputy commissioner of operations (serious incident report database)
- cancellation of any NIA ‘wanted’ alerts etc
If defence are arguing insanity, the court will make an order for the suspect to undergo psychiatric assessment (under criminal procedure mentally impaired persons act 2003)
Therefore, it’s important that the investigation covers ___________?
the defendant’s quality and nature of their actions/whether they realised they were morally wrong etc
If a court order is made to demand a suspect for insanity, two health assessor’s must present evidence to the court re mental impairment and the Police must submit a report to the Registrar detailing: (5)
- Circumstances of the arrest
- Summary of the offence with which the suspect is charged
- Suspects previous criminal history
- Suspects precious mental health history
- Symptoms/duration of current 1M illness
Alibi witnesses must not be interviewed by police except at the request of the crown solicitor.
If investigating an alibi offered, OC SUSPECTS must; (3)
- make enquires from other people to confirm or rebut the evidence of the alibi
- complete enquiries to est where the suspect was at the time of the offence, who they were with, what they were doing etc
- where possible, try to corroborate the alibi from forensic sources independent of the suspect
