Part 5 Homicide and serious crime victims Flashcards
What are the three key elements of a homicide?
- Victim
- Suspects
- Location (scene)
What are the responsibilities of the OC body?
S/A
- Complete sudden death procedures
- Obtain historic medical records of the victim
- Preserve evidence from the body
- Ensure death has been certified by a doctor
- Ensure cultural responsibilities have been addressed
- Ensure Police photographer attends post mortem and takes sufficient photographs
- Attend the briefing of the pathologist by the OC investigation, and contribute as required
- Recording, labelling, packaging, sealing and securing all samples and exhibits associated with the body (M/C)
Briefing experts and interested parties:
The OC investigation and OC body must seek to establish as much information as possible from the scene with which they can subsequently brief the interested parties.
Some key areas for consideration include:
- Photos/videos of the scene
- Actions of first responders
- Identity of the body
- Environmental factors at the scene
- Timeframe of locating body
Appreciation in respect of the removal of the body.
These factors should be considered in the appreciation:
S/A
- Supervision of the body removal
- Chain of custody of the body from the scene to the mortuary
- Views of the pathologist, ESR and the Crown solicitor attending the crime scene
- Family and/or cultural considerations
Specimens should not be taken from the body unless consultation with ESR, pathologist, OC investigation, Crime Scene Coordinator and fingerprint officer.
Whether samples are taken at the scene will be decided by the OC investigation. This is advisable where evidence would otherwise be lost or contaminated by moving the body, such as:
** the answers can also be used for the following question: What exhibits swabs can you take at the scene prior to the body being moved?
S/A
- Larvae and insects
- DNA swabs
- Potential fingerprint evidence form the skin of the body
- Firearms residue samples
- Loose hairs, glass, paint
Recording details and removing the body
Record all details of the position of the body including:
- Position of limbs
- Appearance of body
- Lividity
- Rigor mortis
- Wounds
- Clothing
Appreciation prior to post-mortem
At the earliest opportunity the OC investigation must make an appreciation in respect of the post-mortem examination. These factors should be considered in the appreciation:
- ID of body at the mortuary
- Authority from the Coroner to conduct post-mortem
- Consultation with the pathologist
- Family / Cultural considerations
What is the primary role of the OC body during a post-mortem?
S/A
Observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body, in a structured, methodical manner.
What is the purpose of a post-mortem?
The pathologist’s findings will provide further information to drive the investigation which may include:
To establish the cause of death.
Further info may include:
- Determining mode and time of death
- Determining nature and size of any weapons used
- Negating possible defences
- Identifying the victim
Who may attend a post-mortem?
- Pathologist
- Coroner
- Police
- Any person authorised by the Coroner
What is the fundamental responsibility of Police?
To preserve life and obtain medical assistance where there is the slightest possibility a person is still alive.
Unless in an emergency, the body at a scene must not be moved until…
OC Investigation has given authority.
If the body has been disturbed…
- Do not attempt to restore the scene to its original condition
- Make enquiries to reconstruct and photograph the original scene if required
What is one method of moving a body in relation to trace evidence?
Cover hands feet and head with paper bags and secure with wide tape, not so tight as to leave new marks.
Wrap body in plastic sheet and place in body bag.
