Serious Crime 014 (Pre-update) Flashcards
What are the two key tasks of any investigation?
- gathering and preserving evidence
- documentation
List the four different types of conferences.
- initial conference
- regular conference
- debriefing conference
- phase team conferences
What are the primary functions of initial police responders at a crime scene?
- attending the scene at an early stage
- taking control of the situation
- coordinating tasks
List five types of incidents that might be reported to police and not be initially identifiable as a homicide.
- report of missing person
- sudden unexplained death of an infant
- unexplained death
- report of abduction
- report of violence where no fatalities are anticipated
- crime scene without a body present
- hit and run vehicle collision
- suicide
- fatal fire
- drug related death
Explain the general investigation model.
Victim - ID and locate
Appreciation - Make an initial appreciation. Assess personal risk and then preserve the lives of others.
Witnesses - Locate and contain
Scene - Preserve
Exhibits - Note evidence and preserve any that would otherwise be lost or destroyed
Ingredients - Consider whether ingredients of alleged offence have been established
Powers - ID what powers are available and consider whether to use
Offenders - ID and apprehend suspects
What are the four basic principles to initial action in regards to the scene?
Freeze
Control
Guard
Preserve
List the benefits of applying an appreciation technique.
- Informs all police what they are expected to achieve
- increases the chances of success
- Establishes a sequence of activities to be carried out
- Manages risk
- Reduces uncertainty
- Eliminates duplication
- Ensures nothing is overlooked
- Effective use of resources
What are the four basic steps of an appreciation?
Aim - a short statement
Factors - so what? Therefore
Things that can effect outcome:
- location of suspect
- resources available
- evidence requiring preservation
- environment and weather conditions
- history of relevant parties
Courses open - all ways the aim could be achieved
- list advantages and disadvantages of each including risks
- what are the possible results or consequences
- which course is the most appropriate
- decide on the most appropriate course to achieve your aim
Plan - proposed course of action to achieve the aim
- logical outcome of appreciation
- clear and concise
- recorded
- delivered to staff with GSMEAC
What is the purpose of police attendance at a death?
To investigate thoroughly and gather sufficient evidence to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death.
The victim’s physical condition can fall into three categories. What are they?
- alive and uninjured
- alive but injured
- shows no signs of life
In order for a ‘dying declaration’ to be considered admissible evidence under Evidence Act 2006, s18(1)(a) , the court must be satisfied of what?
The content of the statement and the person who made it are reliable.
Police taking a ‘dying declaration’ must record any factors which demonstrate the reliability of the statement or its maker. List those factors/circumstances relevant under s16(1), Evidence Act.
- nature of the statement
- contents of the statement
- circumstances relation to the making of the statement
- circumstances relating to the veracity of the person
- circumstances relating to the accuracy of the observation of the person
What actions need to be taken if the victim needs to be moved?
The original position should be recorded, ideally by photo and/or video but a sketch and description should also be completed
Explain the Common Approach Path.
Controls all movement into and out of the scene using a path which avoids any route possibly taken to and from the scene by the suspect or the victim.
What is the purpose of a scene guard?
To ensure
- there is no unauthorised entry into the scene
- integrity of evidence or potential evidence is secured
- intelligence opportunities are maximised
- contamination issues are managed
What details needed to be recorded by the scene guard for every person authorised to enter the scene?
- name and designation
- authority to enter the scene
- purpose of the visit
- time and entry and time of exit
List the duties of a scene guard.
- Secure scene - Deny anyone access unless theyr are expressly authorised entry by the OC Investigation or Crime Scene Coordinator/OC Scene
- Record details - Maintain log and note details or anyone authorised to enter
- Control movements - Ensure everyone entering is directed to CAP and supervised
- Record movements - Record movement and details of vehicles to, from, near in scene log
- Brief others - Communicate info received to OC Scene or CSC.
- Avoid disturbance - Don’t enter, contaminate, interfere with scene
- Protect scene - Be vigilant for activity such as animals
- Brief replacement
- Respect security - Don’t discuss with witnesses, bystanders or media
- Demonstrate courtesy - With witnesses and crowds
- Inform others - Report actions taken to OC Scene or CSC
What action should be taken with media at a scene?
Keep them away from immediate scene and make no comment about incident. Consult with OC Investigation and explain what has happened, identify media members and location.
The OC Investigation will expect a briefing from the officer in initial charge of the incident. What should this briefing cover?
- What has occurred?
- What action has been taken?
- What has not been done?
- What needs to be done?
What kind of person should be appointed OC Body?
An experienced investigator with awareness of forensic issues.
List five responsibilities of OC Body.
- Ensure death has been certified by a doctor or qualified paramedic using the Deceased Person Certificate (POL 265)
- Maintain security and continuity of the body, samples and exhibits, from the scene to the commencement of the PM examination
- Secure and guard the body, samples and exhibits relating to the with dignity and respect
- Note and record observations relating to the body
- Note the details of medical staff or others who have attended the victim
- Record what actions have been taken by any party in relation to the body
- Establish if the body has been moved or disturbed
- Ensure the body is photographed “in situ” and consider video recording
- When authorised by OC invesigation arrange transportation of the body
- Obtain medical records of the victim for the pathologist.
- attend post mortem
- attend the debrief of the pathologist
- ensure all cultural responsibilities have been met
Unless in an emergency, the body must not be moved until what has happened?
OC Investigation has given authority
Where the body has been moved, what does and does not happen?
- 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
Before removing a body, what needs to be done
- Record body position by sketch and use police photographer
- with OC Scene consider marking body position
Record Details of body position including: - position of the limbs
- appearance of the body
- wounds and clothing
- direction of any trails of blood present on the body
- lividity if present
- extent of any rigor mortis present
- consider health risks when handling body
- cover hands, feet and head with bags and tape secure
- ensure clothing not contaminated
- wrap body in plastic sheet and then in body bag
- carefully search underneath where body lay
- retain as exhibits all sheets, bags or other material used to transport body
- obtain approval from OC investigation to remove body from scene
- arrange undertaker, use sterile body bag and account for body at all times (lock)
What is the primary role of OC Body during a PM?
To observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with body in a structured methodical manner
What is the primary reason for conducting a PM? What might the pathologist findings include:
To establish the cause of death.
- the mode and time of death
- how injuries and events caused death
- nature and size of weapons
- approximate height and stature of suspect
- identify areas for interview
- negate defences
- I’d victim
Appreciation prior to body removal
- Notification to and response from the coroner
- Consultation with other relevant experts
- Requirement for any examination or action needed before body removal
- Best method and route for body removal eg stepping plates
- Supervision of the body removal
- Chain of custody of the body from scene to mortuary
- Safe custody of exhibits
- Family or cultural considerations 
Where the identity of a victim cannot be established, list five alternative methods of ID.
- fingerprints
- DNA profiling
- dental records
- eye examination records
- medical examination records
- personal effects
- facial reconstruction
When skeletal remains are found a pathologist, with the assistance of a forensic anthropologist, can provide what information?
- whether the remains are actually bones
- whether the bones are human
- the age, gender, height and race of the person
In what situation should the OC Body take notes of discussions concerning the PM?
Only if specifically directed by the OC Investigation and/or the pathologist
List the steps that should be followed by the OC Body to ensure the body is stripped in the required manner.
- OC Investigation directs when body is stripped
- must only be stripped In the presence of the pathologist
- Remove body from secure fridge and assist staff to take the body into the post-mortem examination room
- Remove the body from the body bag causing minimal disturbance
- Take possession of the body bag and any sheets or wrappings used to transport body as exhibits
- If necessary, direct photographer to take additional photos
- Remove clothing from body. Mortuary technicians may assist under supervision of OC body - Avoid scissors if possible and search pockets
- Make inventory of clothing and possessions
- Label each item
- Seal each item in a separate bag
- Insure exhibits do not cross contaminate
- Maintain security and continuity of the body and exhibits until post-mortem commences
- With had trauma consider sieve
What should the photographer be instructed to photograph at the mortuary?
- the body before stripped
- the body after it is stripped
- close ups of any wounds, marks, internal injuries, unusual features, including a measuring scale
After the PM when the OC Body hands all the exhibits to OC Exhibits, what else should the provide?
- PM Scene Exhibit Schedule
- copy of OC Body’s notebook entries
- formal statement
What must be included in a 1S file?
- statement relating to victim’s formal ID
- copy of POL47 or POl47A (for child under 2)
- copy Deceased Person Certificate
- copy of Deceased Person Identification
What is the primary function of an FLO?
Investigator, not support person.
List five things the Family Liaison Plan should record and consider?
- selection of the FLO and criteria employed for the selection
- exit plan for the FLO
- objectives of the family liaison
- assessing the most appropriate methods of conducting interviews with family members, including use of specialist interviewers where appropriate
- info to be released to and withheld from the family
- requests made by the family which have not been agreed to and the reasons for this
- complaints made by the family and the OC Investigation’s action to progress and resolve the issues raised
- any member of the family who could be considered a suspect to enable the OC Investigation to determine whether or not this is the case
- liaison with Victim Support and other support services
Define ‘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
Why is it important for the FLO to identify the cultural origins of the victim’s family?
To enhance relations with the family and to contribute to the victim profile
What are the responsibilities of the FLO?
- liaise closely with the OC investigation regarding info to be shared or held back
- Familiarise themselves with the inquiry
- Familiarise themselves with all information established concerning the family including culture, lifestyle, religion and communication requirements 
- Familiarise themselves with previous police involvement with the victim all the family
- Establish what contact the family has had with Police since the incident
- What information has been given to the family
- What information about the incident is already in the public domain

profile the victim, prepare a family tree, gather all relevant info from family
Who else can take VIS from surviving family members?
Homicide trained Victim Support volunteer
What are the objectives of an area canvass?
- ID offender
- identifying and locating evidence such as vehicles, weapons, clothing
- ID witnesses
- gathering info
List five benefits of an area canvass.
- sightings of victim or offender before or after event
- sightings of relevant property or vehicles
- sightings of potential witnesses
- creating the opportunity for an early arrest through early ID of the offender
- obtaining key info to drive the investigation or develop lines of enquiry
- promoting awareness of significant occurrences
- eliminating unidentified vehicles or persons reported by other witnesses
- obtaining an accurate record of the local community
What assistance can the Criminal Profiling Unit provide?
They can assist with setting parameters or identifying locations where suspects are likely to frequent or reside.
When conducting a team briefing for the area canvass, what information must be given regarding notebooks?
Evidence of possible probative value must be obtained in a formal written statement rather than notebook form
How can OC Area Canvass ensure staff morale remains high?
By providing regular feedback on the way the enquiries are contributing to the progress of the investigation, together with updates on the other phases of the enquiry.
Regular visits during the area canvass.
What should the monitoring progress and master record maintained and updated by the OC Area Canvass include?
- evaluate quality of completed work
- identify lines of enquiry + update 2IC
- monitor ongoing progress
- facilitate detailed recordings
- which addresses have been visited
- which occupants interviewed
- the documentation completed
- any relevant comments made
At the conclusion of the area canvass the phase OC must submit a report to the OC Investigation outlining the circumstances of this particular aspect of the investigation. What should this report include?
- Summary of all action taken
- any significant findings highlighted
- attention drawn to any action that has been undertaken which was outside of the original phase strategy
An initial witness assessment enables the investigation team to identify…
- whether due to personal characteristics of the witness or the circumstances of the offending the witness requires special consideration
- availability of the witness
- any needs the witness has for special assistance
- the optimum approach to be taken with the witness
Special consideration 105 evidence Act 2006 - evidence in alternate ways
By maintaining contact with witnesses police will be more likely to become aware of what?
Threats, intimidation or interference
How may a witness refresh their memory for Court?
By reading any previously signed statements or interview transcripts
In what situation could a witness enter the National Witness Protection Programme?
Where a serious threat to life is understood to exist
How can anonymity for a witness be obtained?
By way of application or an order from the Judge
List the responsibilities of OC Suspects.
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
- mitigating and dealing with possible defences that may be raised
- providing a basis for further investigation
Management of suspects falls into three categories. What are they?
- identification and profiling
- arrest/termination
- interviewing
What should the initial brief of the suspects team encompass?
- 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
- details of any descriptions of the suspect provided by witnesses
- whether any particular modus operandi/crime signatures have been identified