Part 5 - Homicide and Serious Crime Victims Flashcards
What are the three elements of a homicide?
Answer:
Location, Victim, Suspect
Prompt - “Let’s Visit Spain”
What are the responsibilities of OC Body?
Hint:
S. C. E. N. E R. E. N. A. S. A. A. A. E. P. A. A. E
Answer:
Secure and guard the body
Complete sudden death procedures
Establish if the body has been moved or disturbed
Note and record observations relating to the body
Ensure death has been certified by a doctor or qualified paramedic Use POL265
Record what actions have been taken by any party in respect of the body
Ensure the body is photographed “in situ”. Consider using video
Note details of medical staff or others who attended the victim
Arrange transportation of the body to the mortuary on authority of OC Investigation
Security and continuity of the body, samples and exhibits
Arrange formal identification on authority of OC Investigation
Attend the post mortem examination with OC Investigation
Attend briefing with the pathologist
Ensure police photographer takes appropriate and sufficient photos of the body before clothing is removed and after and during post-mortem
Preserve evidence from the body
Arrange fingerprints and palm prints
Attend debrief by the pathologist
Ensure all cultural responsibilities have been addressed
In regards to initial response, Should a police officer assume a person is dead at a scene?
Answer:
No unless the circumstances are such that no other conclusion is possible. Body decapitated or badly decomposed
Who must certify a death?
Answer:
A qualified medical practitioner or qualified paramedic
Should the body be moved. If yes what is the circumstance?
Answer:
NO. Unless it is an emergency situation.
OC investigation must give the authority to move the body
Why might a pathologist and/or the Crown Solicitor attend the scene to view the body?
Answer:
To gain an understanding and interpretation of the injuries to the victim.
Should the on-call pathologist not be able to attend the scene a local pathologist may be required
If consulting experts What consideration should be made before the body is moved?
Answer:
An appreciation must be made of what value experts could contribute to the examination of the body
List what key considerations are included when establishing information gathering about the victim?
Hint:
S. H. I. P. A. T. S. E. A
Answer:
Special evidential expectations
History of the body - includes medical history, drugs at scene
Identity of the body
Photographs/video at the scene
Actions of first responders
Timeframes related to finding the body
Scopes and priorities of the investigation
Environmental factors at the scene. eg. Weather
Additional information received from other experts
S.H.I.P A.T. S.E.A
What 11 points should be covered in appreciation prior to body removal?
Hint:
N. O. S. C. R. U. B. S. S. F. C
Answer:
Notification and response from Coroner
Opinions of pathologist and ESR forensic scientist
Supervision of the body removal
Chain of custody of body to mortuary
Requirements for any examination prior to removal
Use of stepping plates
Best method and route for body removal
Safe custody of exhibits
Standard operating procedures for protective clothing used at scene
Family and cultural considerations
Consultation with other relevant experts
N. O. S. C. R. U. B. S. S. F. C
What must you NOT DO when you have established the body has been moved?
What should you do in this circumstance?
Answer:
Do not attempt to restore the scene ot its original unchanged condition
Answer:
Make enquiries to enable the original unchanged scene to be reconstructed and photographed
Who should be consulted and In what circumstances should samples be taken from the body?
Hint:
E. P. I. C
What is the reason for this?
What are some examples?
Hint:
L. I. F. E DNA. F.R
Answer: Only on consultation with ESR staff PATHOLOGIST INVESTIGATION OC CRIME SCENE coordinator
Answer:
Where evidence would otherwise be lost or contaminated by moving the body
Answer:
LARVAE and INSECTS. L. I.
Potential FINGERPRINT EVIDENCE from the skin on the body of the victim or clothing worn on the body. F. E
DNA swabs
FIREARM RESIDUE samples
What are the 11 actions for recording and removal of the body?
Hint:
M. R. S. C. C. A. R. W. A. S. H
Answer:
1. SKETCH the position of body. Photograph
- Consider MARKING position of body before moving it. That is measuring the distance from at least two nearby fixed features
3. RECORD Position of limbs Appearance of body Wounds Description of Clothing Direction of blood trails on body Lividity Extent of Rigor Mortis
- HEALTH risks presented in handling the body, hygiene
- COVER hands, head and feet with paper bags to prevent trace evidence being lost Use wide tape not rubber bands
- Ensure CLOTHING is not contaminated with foreign objects
- WRAP the body in a plastic sheet and place in the body bag
- Carefully SEARCH underneath where the body lay
- RETAIN as exhibits all sheets, bags or other materials used to transport the body
- Obtain APPROVAL from the OC Investigation to remove the body from the scene
- When approval given to move body ARRANGE a contracted undertaker to remove the body to the mortuary.
Account for the SECURITY and CONTINUITY of the body at all times
Marking
Record
Sketch
Clothing
Cover
Approval
Retain
Wrap
Arrange
Search
Health
List the 9 considerations that should be made in an appreciation prior to post Mortem?
Hint:
I. A. P. A. C. S. R. F. S
Answer:
- IDENTIFICATION of the body at the mortuary
- AUTHORITY from the coroner to conduct Post Mortem
PATHOLOGIST consultation
- Identifying who should ATTEND the PM
Safe CUSTODY of exhibits
Specific need required for examination of SAMPLES
RESOURCES at the PM for packaging exhibits and taking photographs
FAMILY and/or cultural consideration arising from Post Mortem
Any likely requirement for a SECOND or subsequent post Mortem
What is the primary role of OC Body in a Post Mortem?
Answer:
To
OBSERVE, DOCUMENT and DEAL with exhibits associated with the body in a structured methodical manner
What is the OC Body checklist used for in the OC Body folder?
Answer:
This is an aid memoire to ensure all relevant post mortem procedures are conducted
What is the primary purpose of a Post Mortem?
Answer:
To establish the cause of death.
What must the OC body do until the examination is concluded?
Answer:
Remain until the examination is concluded and note the findings of the pathologist during the Debrief
Who may attend the Post Mortem?
Hint:
P. C. P. D.
Who else must obtain approval from the Coroner to attend a PM?
Hint:
O. D. D. C. E. O.
Answer: Pathologist Coroner Police Doctor who treated the deceased
Answer:
Other pathologist assisting - If authorised by coroner (IABC)
Doctor, nurse or funeral director representing the deceased (IABC)
Dentist (IABC)
Crown Solicitor (TSAFC)
ESR forensic scientist (TSAFC)
Other doctor or trainee doctor (IABC)
What Police staff should attend a PM?
Hint:
D. S. P. O. O
Answer: Designated exhibits officer of PM if required SOCO Fingerprint officer Police Photography OC Investigation OC Body
What other experts may be used to consult regardng the conduct of a PM?
Hint:
C. A. T. B. O. M. B. E. D
Answer: Crime Scene Examiner Anthropologist Toxicologist Ballistics Expert Odontologist Medical Illustrator Biologist Entomologist Disaster Victim Recovery
What information can be provided from the post Mortem?
Hint:
M. I. N. D. A. I. D
Answer:
Mode and time of death
Injuries or events at the scene have contributed towards the death of a victim
Nature and size of any weapons used
Determining approximate height and structure of the suspect
Areas of interest for subsequent interviews of witnesses suspects
Identifying the victim, if identify has not been established
Defenses negated
What equipment is required during a post Mortem examination?
Hint:
BL. B. E. E. F. N. P(4) T.
Answer:
Toxicology kit
Body label
Notebook and pens for you slowly during the post more them
Scene exhibit schedule form
Copy of the completed POL47
POL265 a deceased person identification
The packaging supplies envelopes tape labels
Protective clothing paper suit gloves carbon fiber masks
Photographs from the scene showing the body in situ
Where available exhibit numbers for the post Mortem
Prepared exhibit labels being allocated numbers
Roll brown paper for placing layers between Folds of any bloodstained clothing
Firearms Residue Kit
Should weapons be taken to the mortuary?
Answer:
Weapons must not be taken to the mortuary until after the postmortem examination has been conducted
In Maori culture What must be done as soon as possible in relation to a death and the body?
What must the OC Body, police and Coronal service ensure when dealing with a Maori victim?
Hint:
I. W. E. B. S.
Answer:
A IWI liaison officer must be engaged as early as possible
WILL support an understanding and awareness of Maori traditions protocols and beliefs and
ENHANCE relations between investigations, family and deceased
Answer:
BE committed to fulfilling obligations as a Treaty partner and must
SHOW that Maori have culturally appropriate services when dealing with human remains
OC body will contribute to building positive relationships between investigation team, the family and the Maori community
What is the meaning of Ti Kanga Maori?
What does Tupapaku mean?
What does koiwi mean?
Answer:
Cultural values of Maori
Answer:
Deceased person
Answer:
Bones
What is the procedure on arrival at the mortuary for OC body?
Hint:
E. E. R. E. A
Answer:
Ensure Mortuary staff do not wash the body
Ensure the body is labelled and secured in the secure Mortuary Fridge
Retain any key used to secure the body until it is required for the Post Mortem
Ensure the body remains in its present condition until the commencement of the Post Mortem
Arrange formal identification of the body
What are the methods available of establishing the identity of the deceased?
Hint:
F.D. F. D. E. M. P. P
Answer: Fingerprints DNA sampling profiling Facial reconstruction Dental records available through region forensic dentistry advisor Eye Examination records Medical examination records including scars birth marks implants all Prosthetics x-rays surgical rooms amputations and tattoos Personal effects
When skeletal remains are found What information can the assistance of a forensic anthropologist provide?
Answer:
Whether the remains are actually bones
Whether the bones are human
The age gender height and race of the person
List 3 things an OC investigation or deputy appointed by them does before the Post Mortem examination?
Answer:
Fully brief the pathologist of the circumstances of the death
Outline a plan for the Post Mortem
Inform OC body attending of any specific samples required to be taken during the Post Mortem
What must the pathologist be supplied with?
Answer:
Copy of the notification to the coroner POL47
Comprehensive photographs and video recordings taken at the scene
Medical examination kit
Medical records of the deceased where available
Toxicology kit
Should the OC Body make notes during the PM?
Answer:
No. No notes of any discussions concerning the PM examination are to be made unless specifically directed by the OC Investigations/and or the pathologist
What are the 12 steps to stripping the body?
Hint:
M. R. R. T. P. R. M. L. S. E. M. I
Answer:
1. Must only be stripped in the presence of the pathologist
- Remove the body from the mortuary fridge
- Remove the body from the bag, causing minimal disturbance to the body
- Take possession of the body bag and any sheets and wrappings as exhibits
- Police photographer to take photographs before clothing from body is removed and after it is disrobed
- Remove items of clothing from the body. Mortuary technicians may assist but only under the supervision and direction of the OC investigation
Avoiding cutting clothing if possible
Search clothing pockets and make inventory of the pocket contents
- Make an inventory of clothing and possessions as removed
- Label each item of clothing and each possession
- Seal each item in a separate paper bag or container
- Ensure exhibits do not cross contaminate
- Maintain security and continuity
- In cases involving head trauma, before blood and debris washed off. Consider using fine sieve to collect potential evidence
When should photographs of the body at a PM be taken and of what?
Answer:
Before it is stripped
After it is stripped
Close up photos of wounds, abrasions, bruising, marks
Include a scale next to feature being photographed
Apart from photographs of the body what other imaging options are available?
In what circumstances may these be useful?
Answer:
CT scans (computed tomography) or CAT scans
X-rays
Answer:
Badly burnt or decomposed bodies
Suspected non accidental injury in children
Deaths involving firearms or explosives
In cases involving strangulation what technology can be used?
Answer:
Poly-light examination should be considered to aid location of fibres, bruises and/or fingerprints
What should a pathologists examination procedures cover?
Answer:
Records a description of the body including height, weight, build , eye colour and hair
Records the body’s external appearance (front and back) including injuries, bruises, scars, discolouration and imperfections
Uses specialist kits for collecting evidence samples where appropriate. eg, urine, blood, MEK, Toxicology, Firearms discharge residue, ESR post mortem kit.
In relation to exhibits what is the OC Body responsible for at a PM?
Hint:
R. L, P. S. S. APE
Answer:
Responsible for recording, labelling, packaging, sealing and securing all physical exhibits
Example may include
ballistics projectiles
Foreign items such as hairs, fibres, blood or semen on or in the body
Ligatures - any knot present on a ligature must not be cut or undone (may undergo a knot examination)
List 5 actions of the OC Body after a PM that they must provide to OC Exhibits?
Hint:
W. H. E. N. S
Answer:
Any WET or damp exhibits must be dried in a controlled environment
OC Body must HAND all exhibits to OC Exhibits
Have a PM EXHIBIT schedule available
Provide copies of OC Body’s NOTEBOOK
STATEMENT provide FWS
What must be present in preparing the sudden death file?
Answer:
Statement/s relating to the last person/s to see the victim alive
Copy of POL47
Copy of POL47A if infant
Copy of Deceased person certificate POL265
Copy of Deceased Person Identification POL265A
Who is responsible for releasing the body to the next of kin?
The OC investigation is to confirm that the PM process is concluded and that the body is no longer required
Without delay the Coroner must be requested to make an order to release the body to the NOK
If tissue samples are taken from the body should the family be informed?
Answer:
Yes. Views from the family on disposal of the samples no longer required must be discussed with the family
What kind of samples may be taken from the body?
Hint:
S. O. U. L. B. B. L. O. H. N
Answer:
STOMACH contents. Last meal may assist with TOD
OCULAR fluid. Eye fluid tested as it may indicate levels of drug and alcohol
URINE. Used for screening of toxicology tests
LIVER. Used in similar way to bile
BLOOD
BILE. May be taken for toxicology examination. May indicate drugs present a few hours before death
LUNGS. Can help determine if accelerants used in fire related deaths
ORGANS. studied with naked eye for injuries or natural disease
HAIR from head and Pubic area . DNA profile or control against other hair
NASAL Cavities. considered in case where victim has been killed or located outside for pollen analysis
What is the primary responsibility of the OC Body at a Post Mortem?
Answer:
To Observe, Document and Deal with exhibits associated to the body in a structured methodical manner
