Serious crime Flashcards
Two key tasks of any investigation
- Gathering and preserving evidence
- Accurate and detailed documentation
The purpose of team conferences
- Keep all members of the team up to date with developments in the enquiry
- Give team members the opportunity to exchange views and pass on important information
- Give the 2IC the opportunity to pass on instructions to staff on file management and other administrative matters
- Give the O/C the chance to brief the team on important investigative topics, priorities and which lines of inquiry to follow
Different types of conferences
- Initial
- Regular
- Debriefing
- Phase team
Primary functions of the initial Police responders
- Attending the scene at an early stage
- Taking control of the situation
- Co-ordinating tasks
** they are the temporary OC untill relieved by supervisor, CIB or O/C
Instances triggering a homicide investigation
- Report of missing person
- Sudden unexplained death of an infant
- Unexplained death
- Report of an abduction
- Drug related deaths
Team conferences must be…..
- Planned
- Recorded
- Focused and managed to avoid excessive time use
Explain VAWSEEPO
V - identify and locate VICTIM
A - Make an initial APPRECIATION of the incident
W - Locate and contain WITNESSES
S - Preserve the SCENE
E - Note EXHIBITS(evidence) and preserve
E - Consider the ELEMENTS of the alleged offence
P - Identify what POWERS are available
O - Identify and apprehend OFFENDER.
Define Appreciation
An appreciation is an ongoing process which involves continually thinking through each new piece of information as it is uncovered.
Benefit of applying the appreciation technique
‑ Manages risk
‑ Reduces uncertainty
‑ Eliminates duplication
‑ Ensures nothing is overlooked
‑ Effective use of resources.
Appreciation steps
- Aim
- Factors
- Courses open
- Plan
Questions to ask during “courses open” of the appreciation technique
- What are the possible results or consequences of each alternative?
- Which alternative is the most appropriate way to reach the objective?
- From these considerations, decide on the most appropriate course to achieve your aim.
Information to obtain from informants
- Identity and location of the suspect
- First hand account of what the complainant/informant knows
- Precise details of the location of the scene
- Circumstances leading to the discovery
- Identity of the victim
To reduce risk of loss or contamination, the complainant/informant may be asked -
- To return to the proximity of the scene, and guard it, if it is considered safe for them to do so
- Not to enter the obvious boundaries of the scene
- Not to touch or move anything
- To prevent others from entering or touching the scene
- To await Police arrival and identify themselves to the first Police at the scene
Three categories of victim’s medical status
- Alive and uninjured
- Alive but injured
- Shows no signs of life
When victim is alive but injured
If practicable, a detective should accompany the victim to hospital. Otherwise, a detective should attend hospital without delay.
How to ensure statement from a dying person is admissible
Demonstrate reliability and consider the circumstances as stated under Evidence Act 2006
- The nature of the statement;
- The contents of the statement;
- The circumstances relating to the making of the statement;
- Circumstances relating to the veracity of the person; and
- Circumstances relating to the accuracy of the observation of the person.
Steps when preserving a scene
- Identify
- Secure
- Preserve
- Consider
- Record
Explain common approach path
A path which avoids any route possibly taken to and from the scene by the suspect(s) or the victim, ensuring minimum disturbance to the scene.
What is a Crime scene log
A crime scene log records the details, time and purpose of all persons who enter, attempt to enter, or leave the crime scene, as well as any other activity around the crime scene which the scene guard perceives to be relevant to the case
Purpose of Crime scene log
A scene guard and the log maintained by that person, is employed in order 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.
Scene guard duties
- Secure scene
- Record details
- Control movements
- Record movements
Initial questioning of a witness
- What happened
- Where exactly the incident happened
- When it happened
- Who was involved
Initial actions to preserve a scene (Identify)
- Gather information and carry out an initial assessment of the scene.
- Consider your w/less powers to deal with evidential material in respect to serious offences, Search and surveillance Act 2012
- Establish the ‘Crime Scene’ itself. Extend parameters as widely as possible, thinking beyond where the body is found to capture any exhibits, weapons or items the suspect may have discarded
- Consider possible approach paths and establish a Common Approach Path (CAP) for all movements into and out of the scene; using a path avoids any route possibly taken to and from the scene by suspects or victims
- Consider other related crime scenes
- Note and record observations
- Establish a scene headquarters, and safe arrival / assembly points
- Provide a SITREP / SFP to Comms and obtain acknowledgement
Initial action to preserve a scene (Secure)
- Exercising powers to secure the under Section 116 of the Search and Surveillance Act 2012
- Effect removal of all persons within the scene in a way that will cause minimal disturbance to the scene. Using the CAP process to ensure witnesses don’t disturb or remove anything from the scene
- Establish cordoned parameters using Police tape
- Arrange and brief scene guards with clearly defined duties
- Arrange crime scene logs
- Prevent unauthorised persons from entering or ;eaving the scene
- Prevent any further loss or damage to evidence caused by weather or other factors, such as animals.–
Initial action to preserve a scene (Preserve)
- Consider the best path into the scene.
- Record any movements/action taken in the scene
- Preserve what is there and leave it ‘in situ’.
- If no immediate life is at risk, consider using stepping plates.
- Be prepared to take immediate action to preserve and/or record evidence that may change if nothing is done.
Initial action to preserve a scene (Consider)
Consider if initial photographs of the scene and persons present are necessary
Initial actions to preserve (Record)
- Establish and maintain a crime scene log of movements, names, times and reasons for entry and exit to the scene.
- Observe and record full notes of precise details of the scene, particularly the location of the victim.
- Complete a sketch of the scene.
- Photograph the scene and consider using video recording.
- Identify anything which is moved, noting the original and eventual positions.
- Make an accurate record of these facts and report them to the OC Investigation at an early stage.
Considerations when recovering evidence from forensically important witnesses
- Immediate DNA swabs of any areas of the witness that the suspect may have touched.
- Immediate DNA swabs of any blood present on the witness.
- Immediate swabs of any other relevant stains present on the witness.
- Forensic medical examination, i.e. fingernail scrapings, hair combing etc.
- Seizure of clothing and footwear.
- Seizure of any items of property touched by the suspect
Further considerations where applicable for forensically important witnesses (x contamination)
Avoid any potential cross contamination issues by arranging for the witness who have been present at a crime scene, to use different vehicles and interview rooms for those used by witnesses, victim or suspect(s)
Procedure for suspects at the scene
- Separate suspects from other persons at the scene.
- Consider the condition of the suspect, whether they are injured, under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or suffer from a medical or mental impairment or other special consideration.
- Ask them to remain at the scene and to co‐operate with police. As soon as possible, remove the suspect from the scene by consent or with lawful justification.
- If the suspect refuses to co‐operate, consider whether grounds exist to arrest them and what the most appropriate offence will be.
- To prevent cross contamination issues, consider using officers who have not entered the scene to manage the suspect, if available.
If media are present at the scene..
Keep them away from the immediate scene and do not speak to them about the incident. Consult with the OC on arrival and explained what has happened and identify media members and where they are located.
The OC investigation will expect a briefing from the temporary OC, as to:
- What has occurred?
- What action has been taken?
- What has not been done?
- What needs to be done?
OC body responsibilities to name a few..
- Ensure death has been certified by a doctor or qualified paramedic using a Deceased Person Certificate (POL 265)
- Maintain security and continuity of the body, samples and exhibits, from the scene to the commencement of the post‐mortem examination
- 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
OC Body when attending the post-mortem must
- Attend the briefing of the pathologist by the OC Investigation, and contribute as required
- Ensure the Police photographer takes appropriate and sufficient photographs of the body before 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 fingerprints and palm prints to be taken, if require
Key areas to consider when briefing experts and interested parties include-
- Photographs and/or video recordings taken at the scene
- Actions of the first responders
- Identity of the body
- History of the body‐ including medical history, drugs found at the scene, action taken or developments since the discovery of the body
- Timeframes relating to the finding of the body, the last sighting and other significant times that may impact upon time of death
- Scope and priorities of the investigation
- Any special evidential expectations and requirements
- Environmental factors at the scene, i.e. weather
- Any other additional information received from other experts, as appropriate.
OC investigation in consultation with CSC and OC body must make the following appreciations prior to body removal
- Notification to and response from, the Coroner
- Views of the pathologist, ESR forensic scientist and Crown Solicitor attending the crime scene
- Consultation with other relevant experts
- Requirement for any examination or action needed before removal, based on known facts of the case
- Best method and route for the body removal, to minimise contamination of the scene or the body, for example by using sterile stepping plates
- Supervision of the body removal
- Chain of custody of the body from the scene to the mortuary
- Safe custody of exhibits
- Family and/or cultural considerations
- The appreciation should record the Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) for what and how items of protective clothing (e.g. paper suits, gloves and masks) must be used in relation to the scene and the body)
Where the body has been disturbed
- 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.
Preparing for removal of the body
The body must not be moved without specific authority from the OC
- Record the position of the body by sketch plan and direct Police photographer to take photographs
- In consultation with the Crime Scene Coordinator and/or OC scene, consider marking and recording the position of the body before moving it.
- Record all details of the position of the body
- Consider what health risks may be presented by handling the body
- Cover the hands, feet and head with paper bags, secured with tape to prevent any trace evidence being lost when the body is moved. Wide tape should be used, taped around the bag at a suitable anchoring point that will secure the bag to the limb and prevent the bag from slipping off
- Ensure clothing on the body is not contaminated by contact with foreign objects.
- Wrap the body in a plastic sheet and place it in a body bag.
- Carefully search underneath where the body lay.
- Retain, as exhibits, all sheets, bags or other materials used to transport the body.
- Obtain approval from the OC Investigation to remove the body from the scene
- As directed by the OC, arrange a contracted undertaker to remove the body to the mortuary
Appreciations prior to post-mortem
- Identification of the body at the mortuary
- Authority from the Coroner to conduct post‐mortem
- Consultation with the pathologist
- Safe custody of exhibits
- Identifying who should attend the post‐mortem
Purpose of a post-mortem
- 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 weapon(s) 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.
Who may attend a post-mortem under s38 of Coroners Act 2006
- Pathologist
- Coroner
- Any other pathologist assisting (if authorised by the Coroner)
- Doctor who treated the deceased
- Doctor, nurse or funeral director representing the deceased (if authorised by the Coroner)
- Doctor representing the interests of a suspect who has or may be charged in relation to the death (if authorised by the Coroner)
- Any other doctor or trainee doctor (if authorised by the Coroner)
- Police
- Any other person authorised by a Coroner.
Members of Police who should attend post mortems
- OC investigation
- OC Body
- a member specifically designated as exhibits officer for post‐mortem, if required
- Police photographer
List of experts the OC may consult regarding conduct of the post-mortem
- Odontologist
- Biologist
- Medical illustrator
- Toxicologist
- Ballistics expert
- Crime scene examiner
- Entomologist
- Anthropologist
- DVI
When cultural issues arise (victim/body related)
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.
On arrival at the mortuary, OC body must
- Ensure mortuary staff do not wash the body.
- Ensure the body is labelled and secured in the secure mortuary fridge.
- Retain any key used to secure the body, until it is required for the post‐mortem.
- Ensure the body remains in its present condition until the commencement of the post‐mortem.
- Arrange formal identification of the body.
Methods of identification for bodies
- Fngerprints
- DNA profiling (identification results take 3‐4 weeks or 48 hours for urgent analysis)
- Dental records, available through the Region Forensic Dentistry Advisor
- Eye examination records
- Medical examination records, including scars, birth marks, implants or prosthetics, x‐rays, surgical wounds, amputations and tattoos
- Personal effects
- Facial reconstruction
