Role of OC Suspects in Homicide and Serious Crime Investigations

Question 1

What is OC Suspects responsible for?

Answer 1

The OC Suspects is responsible for supervising the members of the Suspects Team for the purpose of:
• obtaining information about suspects and persons of interest, as they are identified by the OC Investigation
• thoroughly profiling and investigating all suspects and persons of interest to enable the OC Investigation to establish their involvement in the offence or eliminate them from the inquiry
• seeking evidence to cover all ingredients of the offence(s)
• mitigating and dealing with possible defences that may be raised, where appropriate
• providing a basis for further investigation.

Question 2

Management of suspects falls into three categories, what are they?

Answer 2

• Identification and profiling.
• Arrest/termination.
• Interviewing

Question 3

Who is a suspect?

Answer 3

A suspect is a person of interest who has gained added status because of a direct or indirect connection to the circumstances of the crime.

Question 4

The first duty of OC suspects is to brief their team. What matters should this briefing cover?

Answer 4

• the circumstances of the offence including an analysis of the scene and witness evidence available
• the full details of all persons of interest and any suspect, where the identity of suspects are known
• details of any descriptions of the suspect provided by witnesses (a schedule of descriptions may be prepared to assist)
• whether any particular modus operandi/crime signatures have been identified.

Question 5

How may possible suspects be identified?

Answer 5

• intelligence analysis
• Police notings linking suspect to relevant area
• fingerprints
• DNA samples
• witness evidence
• Police FV teams
• CHIS
• response to publicity and media reports
• enquiries with external government agencies

Question 6

Points to consider when preparing to interview a suspect?

Answer 6

• liaise with the OC Investigation regarding selection of the interviewer, including whether a Level 2 or Level 3 trained interviewer should be used
• consult with the OC Investigation regarding the most appropriate mode of recording the interview,
• establish, in consultation with the OC Investigation, the status of the person as a witness, person of interest or suspect.
• consider whether the person requires special consideration,
• consult with other interviewing experts or legal advisor, if required
• ensure the interviewer is fully briefed
• discuss with the interviewer the ingredients that need to be established, the suspect’s background, and possible alibis and motives
• ensure that the inteviewer has prepared a detailed interview plan.

Question 7

During the interview OC suspects must ensure that?

Answer 7

the interview is conducted in accordance with the ‘Investigative interviewing suspectguide’
• the interview is monitored by a supervisor or experienced Detective to ensure that all key points and areas are covered
• ensure an explanation is sought from the suspect in relation to any exhibits found.

Question 8

After a suspect is arrested what should the OC suspects do?

Answer 8

• ensure suspects are isolated from each other, where there is more than one suspect
• ensure that each suspect arrested is advised of their rights in accordance with the Bill of Rights Act 1990
• in the case of a juvenile suspect, consider and address Police obligations under the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989
• consider executing a search for evidence of the suspect’s person, vehicle, home and workplace. Ensure any search of the person of a suspect or their belongings is conducted under a legal authority

Question 9

What is covered in the medical exam?

Answer 9

The OC Suspects will arrange, in consultation with the OC Investigation, for a Police doctor to examine the suspect. The doctor must:

• note any injuries, such as scratches or bruises
• take samples identified as necessary by the OC Investigation using a specialist Medical Examination Kit
• swab the suspect’s hands for firearms residue using a specialist Firearms Detection Kit, as soon as possible where a firearm has been involved in an offence.
• provide a professional opinion regarding the condition of the suspect.

Record any explanations or comments made by the suspect about the offence or the cause of any of injuries. Photographs of the suspect and any relevant marks or injuries must be taken.

Question 10

What documentation must be completed when a suspect for a homicide is arrested?

Answer 10

• NIA entry.
• Message to the Deputy Commissioner, Operations by completing an update on the Serious Incident Report database.
• Cancellation of NIA ‘wanted’ references.