Part 6 - Family Liaison Flashcards
Role of the FLO
The role of the Family Liaison Officer (FLO) involves the day-to-day management of the partnership between the family of the deceased and the Police investigation. The primary function of an FLO is that of an investigator and not a support person. However, in performing this role, the FLO must also offer, facilitate and co-ordinate support that addresses the needs of the family.
OC Investigation or delegated authorised deputy must liaise closely with FLO to ensure families are treated professionally, with respect and according to the family’s wishes.
Family Liaison Plan
- selection of the FLO and criteria for selection
- exit plan for FLO
- objectives of the family liaison
- assessing most appropriate methods of interviews with family members
- information to be released to and withheld from the family
- requests made by family which have not been agreed to and reasons
- complaints made by family and OC Investigation’s action to progress and resolve
- to enable OC Investigation to determine whether or not family members are suspects
- liaise with Victim Support and other services
Deployment of FLO
The term ‘family’:
- includes partners, parents, siblings, children, guardians, whanau and any others who have had a direct and close relationship with the victim
- includes ‘chosen’ family
- should reflect the victim’s culture and lifestyle
Suspect within family
OC Investigation must review plan regularly, considering:
- FLO’s welfare and safety
- increased monitoring of FLO’s work and interaction with family
- level of information diclosure to the FLO and the family
- process by which intel arising from FLO’s contact with family will be managed
- need for FLO to be clear in family interactions
- importance of fully documenting all contact and interactions with family
- possibility of deploying a more experienced FLO if appropriate
- deployment of a deputy FLO for corroboration issues in addation to supporting FLO
- not using FLO in search or arrest of a family member
- investigative or evidential impact of deployment
- whether or not the FLO will reside with the family. This may be an option in cases of kidnap for ransom where Police negotiators are in contact with the suspect. Such a deployment must only be undertaken after a meticulous consideration of the safety of the FLO
Action on appointment
FLO and OC Investigation should discuss the plan for working with family. Before meeting the family (ASAP) the FLO must:
- liaise closely with OC Investigation regarding parameters of information to be shared and/or held back
- familiarise themselves with the enquiry
- familiarise themselves with all info established concerning family, including family composition or dynamics, cultural and lifestyle considerations, religious beliefs and communication requirements (language or disability)
- familiarise themselves with available information and intel which could impact on liaison role
- establish what contact family has had with Police since the incident/death
- establish what information has been given to family
- establish what info concerning incident is already in the public domain
FLO normally responsible for profiling victim, preparing family tree and gather all relevant info from family. May includ taking statements for victim ID in conjuction with OC Body.
Record keeping
At beginning of enquiry FLO must commence a dedicated notebook to record all contact with family/next of kin, intermediaries and other parties. Notebook should be reviewed at regular intervals by OC Investigation or nominated deputy. Record keeping is essential to the role of FLO as it allows the liaison to be managed effectively. Also recorded by FLO on a jobsheet if appropriate.
Early issues for resolution
During early stages FLO must:
- provide immediate appropriate ino to family concerning death of victim and explain what next (PM and Coroner’s processes)
- provide family/NOK with “WHen someone dies” booklet which sets out the rights of family and explains Coronial process. 24 hours time frame for objection to PM so info contained in booklet is critical
- establish from family members any immediate evidence, info or rumors to pass directly to OC Investigation
- act quickly and effectively informing OC Investigation without delay should a family or individual express safety concerns or subject to threats or intimidation and require Police protection or assistance
- give or facilitate initial practical support for members of the family (e.g. transport)
- as far as possible, protect family from unwarranted media intrusion
- arrange temporary housing when the family home has been designated a crime scene or a protracted search of victim’s house is anticipated. Victim Support should be involved in this
- use knowledge of the criminal justice system and Coroners processes to advise family
- on direction of OC Investigation arrange for Crown Solicitor to meet family to explain decisions
Financial support
Through Victim Support, Government provides financial assistance on behalf of Crown Solicitor.
- discretionary grant of up to $1500 for families of homicide victims
- free counselling for families of murder and manslaughter victims, initially 6 hours, option to increase to 15 hours, max 30 hours may be approved
ACC can help towards costs of burialk, cremation and related ceremonies.
Disclosure of information
OC Investigation will authorise what info will or won’t be released.
Family should be notifiied of:
- programmes, remedies, or services available through Police to family as victims (sec11)
- progress of investigation (legal requirement under sec12)
- family’s role as witnesses in the prosecution
Where offender arrested, FLO (in consultation with OC Investigation) must:
- inform family of their rights to register on victim notification register, provide POL1065
- make all reasonable efforts to ascertain views the family have on accused being released on bail and ensure views are communicated to the court
- inform the victim’s family of charges laid or reasons charges aren’t laid, and any changes to charges, date and place of each Court appearance, bail of accused, any application made by accused for name suppression (family’s views must be ascertained and provided to Court - sec28, and details of bail conditions
Viewing, ID, and release of body
Arrangements for family to view body may be undertaken by FLO, or alternatively, by OC Body or other person directed by OC Investigation. FLO, in consultation with OC Investigation, should ask who family wishes to nominate to ID body.
FLO should ascertain viewing facilities available, and be aware that people often touch or kiss the body when paying last respects. Authority must be obtained from OC Investigation before viewing as investigative issues such as pending forensic exams may restrict extent of viewings.
Family must be provided with as much info as possible about condition of body before viewing. FLO should view body immediately family. If viewing after PM the FLO should explain to family the necessity and consequences of PMs.
FLO should be prepared to spend time with family at viewings and afterwards. It’s one of the most traumatic times for them and may be last time they see the loved one, some find it difficult to let go.
FLO should liaise with OC Investigation and Coroners Officer about release of body and promptly provide family with advice. FLO may need to explain to family that in some circumstances the body will undergo subsequent PM and may not be released for some time.
Police must inform family where tissue samples are taken. After processing, samples are retained at ESR. Police must seek views of family regarding disposal of such samples.
