Part 16 Exhibits Flashcards
- What is the purpose of the oc exhibits
During the investigation, the OC exhibits is responsible for Establishing and maintaining exhibit management systems and for maintaining the physical security and continuity of all exhibits. Their duties will culminate in the provision of an accurately recorded exhibit package and the availability of exhibits as required throughout the court process.
- In smaller investigation the oc exhibits may also conduct an appreciation and facilitate a thorough interrogation of every exhibit to establish what?
- evidential value of each exhibit
- investigative opportunities presented by each exhibit
- further enquiries that are needed
- What are the responsibilities of the oc exhibits?
The OC exhibits is responsible for establishing required standards for the recovery, handling, labelling, storage, submission to experts, presentation at court and disposal of exhibits and ensuring these processes are completed in accordance with the requirements set by the oc investigation. The OC exhibits must communicate required standards to all investigation team members, usually at investigation conferences.
- What are the reasons for developing a forensic strategy who should attend
Developing a strategy for examination of exhibits allows the OC exhibits to prioritise tasks in line with the direction of the investigation.
Forensic strategy meetings are held to determine which exhibits or other forensic examinations are required and the priority of those examinations.
Those attending forensic strategy meetings should include OC investigation, 2ic, OC exhibits, crime scene co ordinator/OC scene, and anyone else deemed necessary by the OC investigation. This may include the pathologist, forensic scientist (ESR), fingerprint officer, soco, OC body and other relevant experts. Early involvement of forensic specialists will ensure exhibits are protected and that the maximum potential forensic evidence and intelligence are recovered from them.
- When should a forensic strategy meeting occur
Timing of forensic strategy meetings will depend on the circumstances of the investigation. Generally the OC investigation or 2ic will schedule an initial meeting early during the investigation, ie to discuss examination of fragile evidence present on a body before removal of the body from the scene. Further forensic strategy meetings are scheduled regularly thereafter, to facilitate decisions regarding exhibit examinations
- How should exhibits be dealt with
Whether sealed or not,no exhibits should be taken into the investigation headquarters. A secure room should be available for exclusive use by the OC exhibits. If possible this should be near to but separate from the main investigation team. This should include secure facilities for the storage of biological evidence and ideally a nearby office from which the OC exhibits can work. The OC exhibits should control access to this area and the exhibit store must be kept locked at all times.
- What topics should be covered in a forensic strategy meeting?
- What examinations ESR and others could conduct on exhibits
- the priority each examination should receive
- whether any further work is needed to assist a reconstruction
- a plan for any work to be competed that is required to assist the reconstruction
- an agreed reconstruction of the events relevant to the crime under investigation
- Following a forensic strategy meeting the oc exhibits must what?
Record on the exhibits register, all decisions taken about the types of examinations to be conducted and the priority allocated to the examination of each exhibit
- In regards to results from exhibit examination what must the oc exhibits do?
Update the exhibits register with the results of exhibit examination. The oc exhibits should bring such information to the attention of the oc investigation and not assume that they are aware of it by any other means.
- Prior to the commencement of the trial what must the oc exhibits do?
Before commencement of the trial, the OC investigation (in conjunction with the OC exhibits) must decide which exhibits are considered relevant, determine the significance of any forensic examinations and establish the most appropriate manner in which exhibits and examination results are to be presented at trial.
The oc exhibits is responsible for arranging the transportation of exhibits to and from court, for their security at the venue and for their production as directed by the prosecutor
- What does the term chain of custody mean?
The chain of custody includes every individual who has had custody of an exhibit, from the time it was first discovered until the time it is produced in court. It is used to demonstrate the integrity, and therefore admissibility of exhibits
- While an exhibit is in the custody of a person they must be able to demonstrate what?
- when they received custody of the exhibit and from whom
- where and how the exhibit was securely stored
- when, why and how the exhibit was moved from one place to another
- how the exhibit has been treated, safeguarded and preserved
- when an why they transferred custody of an exhibit to another person, and to whom
- What is an exhibit register?
The exhibits register is an electronic document which forms the master record of every exhibit obtained during an investigation.
The OC exhibit is responsible for entering information from each scene exhibit schedule onto the exhibit register, where they will also enter details of all exhibit examinations.
To protect the integrity of the electronic exhibits register, only the oc exhibits and typist should have password access to make alterations to it, although every member of the investigation should be able to view it
- When appointing an exhibit officer what should they have previous experience in?
- mass exhibit handling
- forensic principles
- methods of exhibit recovery
- approved procedures for packaging and security of evidence
- managing contamination and cross contamination issues
- use of standardised documentation as contained in the serious crime template
- The OC exhibits must, where appropriate, update the OC investigation and 2IC with relevant info relating to what
- what exhibits have been found, and their movements
- the results of any exhibit examinations
- whether any further enquiries are required
