Part 5 - Homicide And Serious Crime Victims

Question 1

Who should be Appointed as OC body?

Answer 1

Experiences investigator with awareness of forensic issues

Question 2

What are responsibilities of OC body (6 things)

Answer 2

M - Maintain security and continuity of the body, samples and exhibits from the scene to post-mortem
R - Record what actions have been taken
S - Secure and guard the body, samples and exhibits with dignity and respect

A - Attend post-mortem
N - Note and record any observations of the body
T - Transport - Upon authority from O/C investigations arrange for transportation to the mortuary
O - Obtain medical records
N - Note details of medical staff or others who attended the Victim

D - Death certificate, ensure death certified by Dr or qualified paramedic
I - I.D - arrange formal ID of body
E - Establish if the body has been moved or disturbed
S - Sudden Death - Complete sudden death procedures

A - Attend the debrief of pathologist and record findings
E - Ensure cultural responsibilities have been addressed

Question 3

Briefing experts and interested parties, what are 4 key areas for consideration:

Answer 3

Photographs and or video recordings taken at the scene
Actions of the first responders
ID of the body
History of the body, medical, drugs found at scene
Timeframes relating to the finding of the body, last sightings and other significant a times
Scope and priorities of the investigation
Any special evidential expectations and requirements
Environmental factors at the scene ie- weather conditions, temp, nearby heating appliances, pollen influences
Any other additional info received from other experts

PAIHTSEEA

Question 4

OC investigation, OC scene and OC body must make appreciation in regards to moving the body. What are 6 factors that should be considered:

Answer 4

Notification to and response from the coroner
Views of the pathologist, esr scientist and crown solicitor attending the scene
Consultation with other relevant experts
Requirements for any examination or action needed before removal, based on known facts of the case
Best method and route for the body removal to minimise contamination of the scene - using stepping plates
Supervision of body removal
Chain of custody of the body from the scene to the mortuary
Safe custody of exhibits
Family and cultural considerations

Question 5

What action should Police take when the body has been disturbed at a scene?

Answer 5

Establish what movements have taken place and that the OC body record this information ASAP

Do not attempt to restore the scene to its original unchanged condition
Make enquiries to enable the original unchanged scene to be subsequently reconstructed or photographed

Question 6

Samples at the scene: what are some examples

Answer 6

Larvae and insects
Potential fingerprint evidence from skin of victim or items of clothing worn by the body
DNA swabs
Extraneous items such as loose hairs, fibres, glass, paint or other fragments
Firearms residue samples

LPDEF

Question 7

When can body be moved

Answer 7

With specific authority from the OC investigation

The steps in the table below detail the action to be taken when recording body details
and removing a body from the scene.

Step
Action
1
Record the position of the body by sketch plan and direct a Police
photographer to take photographs. Consider video recording or other imaging
techniques.
2
In consultation with the Crime Scene Coordinator and/or OC Scene, consider
marking and recording the position of the body before moving it, for example
by measuring the distance from at least two nearby fixed features. Depending
on the scene, this may not always be possible.
3
Record all details of the position of the body including:
Position of the limbs.
Appearance of the body.
Wounds and clothing.
Direction of any trails of blood present on the body.
Lividity, if present (coloration of skin due to gravitational movement of
blood).
Extent of any rigor mortis present.
4
Important: Consider what health risks may be presented by handling the
body. Further information on hygiene precautions is available in the Police
Manual chapter ‘Sudden Death’.
5
Cover the hands, feet and head with paper bags, secured with tape to prevent
any trace evidence being lost when the body is moved. Wide tape should be
used, taped around the bag at a suitable anchoring point that will secure the
bag to the limb and prevent the bag from slipping off. The tape should not be
so tight as to create new marks on the body and must not be applied directly
to the skin of the body. Similarly, rubber bands or other tight fitting fasteners
must not be used as these may also leave marks on the body, i.e. false
ligature marks.

If the use of a paper bag to cover a limb is not appropriate (eg. because the
limb is wet), then a plastic bag may be used to protect potential forensic
material. This decision should be made in consultation with the Crime Scene
Coordinator/OC Scene and the OC Investigation.

Whilst being transported, any open wounds may shed blood into the bag
placed over the head and obscure details of blood splatter/direction. Liaise
with scene experts to determine and prioritise appropriate actions to record
and preserve this evidence.
6
Ensure clothing on the body is not contaminated by contact with foreign objects.

Question 8

When moving body how should hands, feet and head be covered?

Answer 8

Paper bags, secured with tape to prevent any trace evidence being lost when body is moved. Wide tape should be used around the bag as a suitable anchoring point that will secure the limb to prevent the bag coming off. The tape should not be too tight to prevent new marks and should not directly be on the skin

Question 9

When moving the body: if the limb is wet?

Answer 9

Use plastic bag to protect potential forensic material. This decision should be made with crime scene coordinator/oc scene and oc investigation

Question 10

What is the primary role of the OC body during PM?

Answer 10

Observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body in a structured methodical manner

ODDWEAW SMM

Question 11

Purpose of PM - what else can the pathologist assist with

Answer 11

Mode and time of death - determine
Injuries and or events at the scene may have contributed towards the death of the victim - establish
Nature and size of any weapon used - determine
Height and stature of the suspect - determine
Providing areas of interest for subsequent interviews
Negating possible defences
iD victim

MINHIN

Question 12

Police - who should attend the PM?

Answer 12

OC investigation
OC body
Police photographer
Soco or fingerprint officer
Member specifically designated as exhibits officer for PM

Question 13

Maori culture - Iwi liaison officer

Answer 13

Must be engaged as early as possible. This will support and understanding and awareness of the maori traditions, protocol and beliefs and enhance the relations between the investigation, family of the deceased and the Maori community

If handling dead bodies and tissue samples derived from a PM - should be sensitive to cultural and religious beliefs.

Question 14

What is OC body responsible for

Answer 14

Arranging formal ID

Obtaining a statement of formal ID

Question 15

What must those that carry out the formal ID be informed of

Answer 15

They must be fully informed what is required of them and what they should expect to see when they view the deceased, particularly after a PM examination has taken place

Question 16

Other then visual ID what are some other methods

Answer 16

Fingerprints
DNA profiling
Dental records
Eye examination records
Medical examination records, including scars, birthmarks, implants, amputations and tattoos 
Personal effects
Facial reconstruction

Question 17

Informational through skeletal remains, what can the pathologist tell us

Answer 17

Whether the remains are actually bones
Whether the bones are human
The age, gender, height and race of the person

Question 18

Should notes be taken during PM

Answer 18

No, unless specifically directed by the OC investigation and or the pathologist

Question 19

When should OC body strip the body of clothing?

Answer 19

Will take place immediately before the PM examination commences but must only be undertaken on the specific direction of OC investigation, generally after a visual examination and collection of evidence from the clothed body has been completed

The OC Body is responsible for securing all exhibits taken from the body, including the clothing, samples and all items of property associated with the body. Stripping of the body will take place immediately before the post-mortem examination commences, but must only be undertaken on the specific direction of the OC Investigation, generally after a visual examination and collection of evidence from the clothed body has been completed. Before entering the post-mortem examination room or handling the body, the OC Body and any other persons present must dress in protective clothing. I may be convenient to wear more than one pair of gloves so that as a pair becomes soiled or worn, the outer pair can be removed to reveal a fresh pair beneath. At the commencement of the post-mortem, the OC Body will record the names and roles of any other persons present.

Question 20

What should you tell the photographer at PM

Answer 20

Photos taken before body is stripped
After it is stripped
Close up photographs of any wounds, marks, internal injuries and unusual features. These photographs must have a measuring scale placed in proximity to the feature to make a permanent record of the dimensions of the feature

Question 21

OC body responsibility with exhibits during PM

Answer 21

They are responsible for recording, labelling, packaging, sealing and securing all physical exhibits relating to the body, including samples taken during PM. All exhibits must be secured and sealed before leaving the mortuary and recorded in scene exhibit schedule

Question 22

What must OC body hand OC exhibits - 3 things

Answer 22

PM scene exhibit schedule
Copy of OC body notebook entry
Formal statement

Question 23

What is in 1S file

Answer 23

Statement relating to formal ID of victim
Copy of Pol47 or Pol47a for child
Copy of deceased person certificate
Copy of deceased person ID

Question 24

When may a second PM be directed by coroner - 3 things

Answer 24

• The pathologist is unable to determine cause of death in initial PM
• The suspects lawyer seeks approval from the coroner to conduct an independent PM
• The solicitor general orders a further PM after application to the high court

Question 25

What are some samples taken from the body during PM

Answer 25

Blood
Stomach contents
Head and pubic hair
Urine
Ocular fluid
Bile
Liver
Lungs
Organs
Nasal cavities

Question 26

9. What are the 11 steps involved when removing a body? “RR CCC ESW RUS”

Answer 26

1. Record position of the body by sketch plan direct a Police photographer to take photos. Consider video or other imaging techniques
2. Record details of body including - appearance, clothing, limbs, wounds, blood trails, lividity if present or rigor mortis
3. Consider recording the position of the body by measuring its location using two fixed points if possible
4. Consider health risks.
5. Cover hands, feet and head with paper bags secured with tape to prevent loss of trace evidence. Use wide tape around the bag at a anchoring point that will prevent the bag from slipping off. Tape should not be too tight as to create false ligature marks. This also applies to rubber bands or other fasteners.

If the limb is wet, then a plastic bag may be used to protect potential forensic material. This should be discussed with the Crime Scene Coordinator, O/C investigation or O/C Scene. Whilst being transported open wounds may shed blood into the bag placed over the head obscuring details of blood splatter/direction. Liaise with experts for actions to preserve this evidence.

6. Ensure clothing not contaminated by contact with foreign objects
7. Search underneath body
8. Wrap body in plastic sheet and place in body bag
9. Approval from O/C investigation to remove the body.
10. When directed by O/C investigations arrange undertaker. Ensure undertaken uses sterile body bag. Ensure security an continuity until the post-mortem exam.
11. Seize All sheets, bags and other material used to transport the body

Question 27

37. What should O/C body do if fingerprints of the deceased are required?

Answer 27

his can be done at the conclusion of the post mortem examination. Ensure fingerprints, palm prints and foot prints are obtained from the deceased where applicable.

Question 28

86. What steps are involved in the stripping of the body during the post mortem? “ORRTPC ILSXSC”

Answer 28

The OC Body must follow the steps outlined in this table, to ensure the body is stripped in the required manner.
1. Only stripped in the presence of the pathologist.
2. Remove the body from the secure mortuary fridge and assist mortuary staff to take the body into the post-mortem examination room.
3. Remove the body from the body bag, causing minimal disturbance to the body.
4. Take possession of the body bag and any sheets or wrappings used to transport the body, as exhibits.
5. Photos - before clothing is removed, and again after the body is disrobed. The pathologist will lead direction of the photographer.
6. Remove items of clothing from the body. Mortuary technicians may assist to removing clothing, but only under the supervision and direction of the OC Body.
• Cutting clothing off the body should be avoided, but may be necessary in some cases. If unavoidable, cut clothing in areas where evidence is least likely to be present.
• Search clothing pockets and make an inventory of each of the pocket contents.
7. Inventory of clothing and possessions, as each item is removed.
8. Label each item of clothing and each possession.
9. Seal each item in a separate paper bag or container.
10. Exhibits do not cross-contaminate each other by coming into contact with one other.
11. Security and continuity of the body and exhibits taken from the body, until the post-mortem examination commences.
12. Consider placing a fine sieve in the mortuary table drain hole to collect trace evidence that may have been transferred from a weapon, for later comparison with exhibits the suspect(s) have had access to.

Question 29

96. At the earliest opportunity, the OC Investigation, in consultation with the OC Body, must make an appreciation in retest of the Post-Mortem examination. These factors should be considered;

Answer 29

ID of the body at mortuary

• Authority from the coroner to conduct PM
• Consultation with the pathologist
• Safe custody of exhibits
• Who should attend the PM
• Family/cultural consideration
• Any likely requirement for subsequent post-mortems

Question 30

98. A legal representative of a person who is or maybe charged must be advised of the details of the Post-mortem. What actions can a legal representative make if they wish to attend a Post-Mortem?

Answer 30

The legal representative should be advised that they are required to seek authority from the Coroner for a doctor or any other representative to attend on their behalf.

Question 31

99. What actions must the OC Body take when arriving at the mortuary?

Answer 31

• Ensure body remains in its present condition until postmortem
• Ensure mortuary staff do not wash the body
• Labelled and secure body in the fridge
• Retain key used to secure the body
• Arrange formal ID