Part 5 Victims Flashcards
- What are the responsibilities of the oc body?
- ensure death has been certified by a doctor or qualified paramedic using a deceased person cert
- maintain security and continuity of the body, samples and exhibits, from the scene to the commencement of the post mortem examination.
- secure and guard the body, body samples and any exhibits relating to the body, with dignity and respect
- note and record observations relating to the body
- note details of medical staff or others who have attended the victim
- record what actions have been taken by any party in respect of the body
- establish if the body has been moved or disturbed
- ensure the body is photographed in situ and consider using video recording
- on authority of the oc investigation, arrange transportation of the body to the mortuary
- complete sudden death procedures
on authority of oc investigation, arrange formal identification of the body - obtain historical medical records of victim for information of pathologist
- attend the post mortem examination with the oc investigation, or deputy appointed by them and:
- attend the briefing of the pathologist by the oc investigation, and contribute as required
- ensure the police photographer take appropriate and sufficient photos of the body before clothing is removed, again after the body is disrobed, and during the post mortem examination. The pathologist will direct the photographer
- preserve evidence from the body
- record, label and secure all samples and exhibits associated with the body
- arrange for finger prints and palm prints to be taken, if required
- attend the debrief of the pathologist and record the findings, on direction of the oc and/or pathologist
- ensure all cultural responsibilities have been addressed
Note: It is the responsibility of the o/c investigation to :
- notify the coroner early of the death
- arrange the post mortem examination, in consultation with the coroner
- consult with the pathologist before the post mortem commences, regarding the relevance and benefit of conducting x-ray or ct/cat scans of the body
- What should be done if it is established that a body has been moved?
- do not attempt to restore the scene to its original unchanged condition
- make enquiries to enable the original unchanged scene to be subsequently reconstructed and photographed,if required
- What should be considered before removing a body from the scene?
The body must be considered a scene within a scene and as such, the o/c investigation is ultimately responsible for ensuring how the removal and examination of the body will be managed. The body must not be moved without specific authority from the oc investigation.
- What is the primary role of the oc body during the post mortem?
The primary role of the o/c body during a post mortem is to observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body, in a structured, methodical manner.
- What is the primary reason for conducting a post mortem examination?
To establish the cause of death. The pathologists findings will provide further information to drive the investigation which may include
- determining where possible, the mode and time of death
- establishing how injuries and/or events at the scene may have contributed toward the death of the victim
- determining the nature and size of any weapons used
- determining the approximate height and stature of the suspect
- providing areas of interest for subsequent interviews of witnesses and/or suspects
- negating possible defences
- identifying the victim, if identity has not been established
- In regard to cultural issues what should oc body consider?
Where applicable, The assistance of specialist advisors should be sought to assist with cultural issues relating to the victim or others involved in the investigation. This will assist the progress of the investigation, establish positive relations and avoid the potential for inadvertent offence being caused
- When conducting a formal identification of a body what should be considered?
The OC body is responsible for arranging formal identification of the body and for obtaining a statement of formal identification. Identification will only take place at the direction of the oc investigation. Should occur before the post mortem examination if possible, however this may not be possible due to risk of contamination or because the post mortem will take place in a different geographic area to the one where the body was discovered. Identification will also be impractical after the body has been sealed in a body bag.
It is important Those carrying out the identification must be fully informed what is required of them and what they should expect to see when they view the deceased, particularly after the post mortem has taken place
- When skeletal remains are found, a pathologist, with the assistance of a forensic anthropologist, and usually provide information such as what?
- whether the remains are actually bones
- whether the bones are human
- the age, gender, height and race of the person
- When should the body be stripped and what must be done
Stripping the body will take place immediately before the pm 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 ie foot coverings, latex gloves, overalls and face mask. It may be convenient to wear more than one pair of latex gloves so that when one pair becomes soiled or worn, the outer pair can be removed to reveal a fresh pair beneath
- The oc body must ensure that the photographer takes sufficient photo of what?
- the body, before it is stripped
- the body, after it is stripped
- close up photographs of any wounds, marks, internal injuries and unusual features.
- In regard to exhibits what is the oc body responsible for?
Recording, labelling, packaging, sealing and securing all physical exhibits relating to the body, including samples taken during the post mortem. All exhibits must be packaged and sealed before leaving the mortuary, without exception and will be recorded in a scene exhibits schedule
- Items that are of mutual interest to the pathologist and the investigative team must be preserved and handled in accordance with standard exhibit protocols, what are some examples of those items
- ballistic 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 as the knot may be subject to subsequent knot examination
- What should the oc body provide to the oc exhibits when handing over the items taken from the body?
The OC body must hand all exhibits to the OC exhibits, in order to maintain an unbroken chain of exhibit continuity and security. They should also provide the OC exhibits with
- the post mortem scene exhibit schedule
- copy of the oc body’s notebook entries
- formal statment
- What should be included when preparing the sudden death file?
The OC body must prepare the sudden death file and submit as soon as possible, so that a coronial inquest can be opened. The file should include
- statement relating to the victim’s formal identification
- copy of the report for the coroner or in the case of a child under the age of 2 years a sudden unexpected death in infancy form
- copy of deceased person identification
- What should be considered when appointing an oc body?
They should be an experienced investigator with awareness of forensic issues. If this is not possible they may require additional support and/or mentoring.
The appointment of an additional deputy to assist the o/c body as scene exhibits officer specifically during the post mortem examination, should be considered
