Preliminary Homicide Investigation 05-01

Question 1

Preliminary Homicide Investigations Supervision

Answer 1

 Supervisory Officer mandatory attendance
 Divisional Detective mandatory attendance
 Officer in Charge mandatory notification
 Unit Commander mandatory notification

Question 2

Homicide - As set out in their mandate, Detective Operations – Homicide and Missing Persons Unit (Homicide and Missing Persons)
shall

Answer 2

 lead the investigation of all homicides that occur within the City of Toronto;
 lead the investigation of all criminal acts which result in serious bodily harm or life threatening injury to a police
officer while on duty;
 support field officers with the investigation of suspicious deaths;
 lead the investigation of deaths in police custody that are not related to the discharge of a Service firearm; and
 provide investigative support to the Coroner in the investigation of deaths in police custody.
These investigations will be conducted in accordance with the Ontario Major Case Management Manual (OMCMM).

Question 3

When an autopsy is ordered as a result of an apparent suicide or accident where the only witness is or has been an intimate
partner, past or present,

Answer 3

the autopsy will be performed by a Regional Coroner’s pathologist who currently performs homicide
autopsies. The autopsy will be conducted as if the death had taken place under suspicious circumstances.

Question 4

Sudden Unexpected Death of a Child

Answer 4

Every sudden unexpected death of a child under eighteen (18) years of age shall be treated as suspicious and a member
of the On–Call Team – Homicide Squad (On–Call Homicide Team) shall be consulted by the attending divisional detective.
Officers are reminded not to reach premature conclusions regarding the cause and manner of death until a thorough
investigation has been completed.
The Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC), a sub-unit of Detective Operations - Sex Crimes, shall be notified when
investigating a sudden unexpected death of a child under the age of sixteen (16) years in any division City-Wide. The
attending divisional detective shall consult with a member of the CYAC prior to leaving the scene and/or conducting formal
interviews of caregivers. CYAC investigators are available from 0730 to 2200 hours to investigate child abuse cases. An
on–call child abuse investigator can be reached after hours through the Toronto Police Operations Centre (TPOC).

Question 5

Every sudden unexpected death of a child under ______ years of age shall be treated as suspicious and a member
of the On–Call Team – Homicide Squad (On–Call Homicide Team) shall be consulted by the attending divisional detective.

Answer 5

18 years of age

Question 6

The Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC), a sub-unit of Detective Operations - Sex Crimes, shall be notified when
investigating a sudden unexpected death of a child under the age of ________ years in any division City-Wide

Answer 6

16 years of age

Question 7

CYAC investigators are available from

Answer 7

0730 to 2200 hours to investigate child abuse cases. An
on–call child abuse investigator can be reached after hours through the Toronto Police Operations Centre (TPOC)

Question 8

Pediatric Death Review Committee (PDRC)

Answer 8

The PDRC is composed of two (2) sections based on the nature and circumstances of the death: PDRC – Child Welfare
and PDRC – Medical.

Question 9

PDRC – Child Welfare must review all cases of deaths involving children and youth when the child, the youth or their family
was receiving, or had received, the services of a Children’s Aid Society (CAS) or Indigenous child wellbeing society within

Answer 9

12 months of the death

Question 10

PDRC – Medical reviews the death of children where

Answer 10

issues or concerns pertaining to the medical diagnosis or provision
of care have been identified. These cases are done on a discretionary basis and are referred by the relevant Regional
Supervising Coroner.

Question 11

Who shall attend for Identification of the Deceased

Answer 11

The investigator heading an investigation or a police officer designated by this investigator

Question 12

The investigator heading an investigation or a police officer designated by this investigator shall attend the morgue and be
physically present when a deceased is identified under the following circumstances

Answer 12

 homicide, suspected homicide or other related criminal offences
 cases where the investigating officer has requested the presence of another officer
 cases where an inquest has been or is likely to be called, or
 the Coroner believes it is necessary due to the nature of the case, or the condition of the person doing the
identification

Question 13

Who at the scene of a suspicious death or suspected homicide shall be responsible for offender management, preservation of the evidence and crime scene while awaiting the arrival of an appropriate investigator?

Answer 13

The first police officer to arrive

Question 14

Police Officer - Upon arrival at the scene of a suspicious death or suspected homicide shall

Answer 14

 designate a line of approach to the body that allows for the least contamination possible
 take charge of the scene until relieved by a supervisory officer
 if the deceased has been removed, note the original position of the body and any items moved to gain access to
the body
 request additional assistance, as required
 request the attendance of
 a supervisory officer
 a divisional detective
 an investigator from Detective Operations - Forensic Identification Services (FIS)
 the Coroner
 pending the arrival of a supervisory officer, assign officers to complete necessary tasks
 ensure nothing at the scene is touched or used, including the telephones and bathrooms
 ensure the communications operator and the Officer in Charge are frequently apprised of all pertinent details
 obtain the name, address and telephone number of every person present at the scene or sufficient information,
including descriptions, to assist in locating these persons at a later time
 remove all persons to an area away from the immediate scene
 encourage all persons present to remain available for questioning
 preserve the integrity of evidence of witnesses by ensuring they don’t discuss their observations with each other
 ensure only personnel involved in the investigation are permitted to enter the crime scene
 comply with Procedure 13–17 by making notations in the memorandum book, including such information as
 sketching a diagram of the scene
 the position of the body and any weapons
 blood stains
 items of evidence
 room furnishings (indoor scene) or weather conditions (outdoor scene)
 physical characteristics of the scene
 conversations with witnesses
 any other information pertinent to the investigation
 conduct a Person Query, including a CPIC check and Canadian Firearms Registry On-line (CFRO) check

Question 15

Upon discovering
‒ the sudden unexpected death of a child under _______ years of age
‒ a suspicious death or suspected homicide, which may include
 an unexplained or unknown cause of death
 found human remains
 obvious or suspected foul play
 any other suspicious circumstance
shall treat the death as suspicious.

Answer 15

18 years of age

Question 16

Upon discovering the sudden unexpected death of a child shall interview the _________ at the time of death, using the
questions listed in Appendix A as a guide to the type of information that should be obtained.

Answer 16

Caregiver

Question 17

Homicide - If the suspect is present shall

Answer 17

 arrest the suspect in compliance with Procedure 01–01
 if there are multiple suspects, separate them from each other as soon as practicable
 isolate the suspect from witnesses as soon as possible
 note all conversation with the suspect in the memorandum book
 note the condition of the suspect in the memorandum book, particularly
 clothing
 marks of violence
 manner of speaking, movements and general behaviour
 refrain from unauthorized questioning of the suspect

Question 18

Homicide - If the suspect has left the scene shall

Answer 18

 obtain the type of information contained in Chapter 5, Appendix A to help determine whether reasonable grounds
exist to believe there is a threat to safety
 obtain and broadcast all relevant information including a description, whether the suspect is armed, and the mode
and direction of travel
 select Yes for the BOLO option when completing the suspect Entities page
 Records Management Services – Operations will create and post a BOLO.

Question 19

When collecting or seizing evidence shall

Answer 19

 ensure it remains protected and undisturbed until examined by a detective or investigator from FIS
 if the evidence must be disturbed, seize it for protection, and mark and note its original location

Question 20

In the event a Homicide Investigator is not attending the scene, direction will be followed by?

Answer 20

Divisional Investigator

Question 21

First Police Officer will provide the original eReport number to the (Homicides)

Answer 21

 other attending officers who may need to add supplementary information
 Officer in Charge
 divisional detective
 Investigator – FIS
 Major Case Manager – Detective Operations - Homicide and Missing Persons
 Investigator – CYAC, as applicable

Question 22

Second Police Officer - Homicide scene

Answer 22

shall be responsible for
preserving the crime scene, if necessary, and noting any pertinent details in their memorandum book, record the names of all personnel attending, and the times they enter or leave, using a TPS 243 whenever possible
or, if not available, the memorandum book

Question 23

When performing a door–to–door canvass shall (Homicide)

Answer 23

carry a sufficient quantity of the TPS 233 and TPS 234
 complete a TPS 233 for every premises attended
 leave a TPS 234 at every residence where there is no answer

Question 24

Supervisor upon arrival at Homicide

Answer 24

The first supervisory officer to arrive at the scene of a suspicious death or suspected homicide shall be responsible for the
quality and thoroughness of the uniform response

Question 25

Supervisor notifies who at the scene of a Homicide?

Answer 25

Notify OIC
ensure the attendance of
 a divisional detective
 the Coroner
 an investigator from FIS

Question 26

Death of Person under 16 Supervisor will ensure who is notified?

Answer 26

CYAC

Question 27

Divisional Detective Homicide scene

Answer 27

The divisional detective shall be responsible for ensuring effective management of the crime scene and that the appropriate
notifications are made.
take charge of the scene investigation until relieved by the attending Detective Operations - Homicide and Missing
Persons or FIS investigator

Question 28

Divisional Detective - When investigating the sudden unexpected death of a child under eighteen (18) years of age shall

Answer 28

treat the death as suspicious
 interview the caregiver at the time of death, using the questions listed in Appendix A as a guide to the type of
information that should be obtained
 consult with a member of the On–Call Homicide Team and the Coroner prior to leaving the scene
 if the child is under sixteen (16) years of age, consult with a CYAC investigator prior to leaving the scene and/or
conducting formal interviews of caregivers
 ensure the following reports are completed and forwarded to the Coroner’s Office prior to the post mortem
examination

Question 29

OIC Notifies who in relation to a Homicide?

Answer 29

 Unit Commander, if on duty
 the Officer in Charge – TPOC

Question 30

In the absence of a Homicide investigator who takes charge of the scene

Answer 30

FIS

Question 31

Who conducts next of kin notifications for Homicides?

Answer 31

Unless deemed inappropriate, notification shall be made by the investigating officer from
the Homicide Squad. When it is necessary for a divisional officer to do so, notification of
next of kin should be made by a supervisory officer in lieu of a constable, when possible.

Question 32

SIDS

Answer 32

means the sudden death of an infant under one (1) year of age, which remains
unexplained after a thorough investigation which must include a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, a police
investigation and a review of the child’s clinical history.

Question 33

SUD

Answer 33

SID
 accidental injury
 non–accidental injury due to neglect or abuse, or
 a previously undiagnosed natural disease process