Serious Crime Definitions Flashcards
What are the primary functions for initial action?
What are the primary functions for initial action?
Attending the scene at an early stage
Taking control of the situation and
Coordinating tasks
What are 10 incidents that are not initially identifiable as a homicide?
(RRRUSSDCFH)
What are 10 incidents that are not initially identifiable as a homicide?
(RRRUSSDCFH)
Report of a missing person
Report of an abduction
Report of violence where no fatalities are anticipated
Unexplained death
Suicide
Sudden unexplained death of an infant
Drug related deaths
Crime scene without body present
Fatal fire
Hit and run vehicular collision
What is VAWSEIPO?
What is VAWSEIPO?
Victim – identify and locate the victim(s)
Appreciation – Assess personal risk and then preserve lives of others
Witnesses – locate and contain witnesses
Scene – preserve the scene
Exhibits – note and preserve any evidence that would otherwise be lost or destroyed
Ingredients – consider whether the ingredients of the alleged offence have been established
Powers – identify powers available and consider whether to execute them
Offenders – identify and apprehend suspect(s).
What are the key benefits when applying an appreciation technique?
(RIIEEEEM)
What are the key benefits when applying an appreciation technique?
(RIIEEEEM)
Reduce uncertainty
Informs all police with what they are expected to achieve
Increases the chance of success i.e. the investigative aims/objects being met
Establishes a sequence of activities to be carried out
Eliminates duplication
Ensures nothing is overlooked
Effective use of resources
Manages risk
What is the term adopting an investigative mentality?
What is the term adopting an investigative mentality?
No matter what the circumstances of a death
e.g. an accident, suicide, apparent natural causes, work place accident or unexplained death
police’s purpose is always to investigate thoroughly
and gather sufficient evidence to
satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death
Establish the victim’s medical status
After ensuring the safety of those present the next priority is to establish the physical condition of the victim.
What are the 3 categories? (AAS)
Establish the victim’s medical status
After ensuring the safety of those present the next priority is to establish the physical condition of the victim.
What are the 3 categories? (ASS)
This falls under 3 categories:
- Alive and uninjured
- Alive but injured
- Shows no signs of life
What must the court be satisfied in order for hearsay evidence to be considered admissible evidence under S.18(1)(a) EA06?
What must the court be satisfied in order for hearsay evidence to be considered admissible evidence under S.18(1)(a) EA06?
The court must be satisfied that both:
The content of the statement and
The person who made it, are reliable
What are the circumstances to consider under S.16(1) EA06? (NCCVA)
What are the circumstances to consider under S.16(1) EA06? (NCCVA)
The nature of the statement
The contents of the statement
The circumstances relating to the making of the
statement
The circumstances relating to the veracity of the person, and
The circumstances relating to the accuracy of the observation of the person.
What should you consider when entering a scene? (CAP)
What should you consider when entering a scene? (CAP)
Consider possible approach paths and
Establish a Common Approach Path (CAP)
For all movements into and out of the scene
Using a path which avoids any route possibly taken
To and from the scene by the suspect(s) or the victim.
When dealing with a suspect at a scene what conditions of the suspect should you consider? (WUSO)
When dealing with a suspect at a scene what conditions of the suspect should you consider? (WUSO)
Conditions of the suspect to consider:
Whether they are injured
Under the influence of alcohol/drugs or
Suffer from a medical/mental impairment or
Other special consideration.
What do you do if members of the media are present at the scene? (KIMC)
What do you do if members of the media are present at the scene? (KIMC)
Keep the media away from the immediate crime scene cordon
Identify media members and where they are located
Make no comment about the incident
Consult with OC investigation on arrival and explain what happened
Who should be appointed OC Body?
Who should be appointed OC Body?
The OC Body should be an experienced investigator with awareness of forensic issues
Where this is not possible, the OC Body may require additional support and/or mentoring
What are the responsibilities of the OC Body? (EMSREEM)
What are the responsibilities of the OC Body? (EMSREEM)
The OC Body must:
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
Secure and guard the body, body samples and any exhibits relating to the body with dignity and respect
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
Arrange transportation of the body to the mortuary
What happens if the body has been disturbed?
What happens if 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:
Preparing for removal of the body:
OC investigation is ultimately responsible for ensuring how the removal and examination of the body will be managed
The body must not be moved without specific authority from the OC investigation
What is the primary role for OC Body during Post-Mortem? (ODDSM)
What is the primary role for OC Body during Post-Mortem? (ODDSM)
Observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body
In a structured and methodical manner.
What is the purpose of a post-mortem? (PPDDDPENI)
What is the purpose of a post-mortem? (PPDDDPENI)
The primary reason for conducting a post-mortem examination is to establish the cause of death
Pathologist’s findings will provide further information to drive the investigation which may:
Determine where possible the mode and time of death
Determine the nature and size of any weapon(s) used
Determine the approximate height and stature of the suspect
Provide areas of interest for subsequent interviews of witnesses and/or suspects
Establish how injuries and/or events at the scene may have contributed toward the death of the victim
Negate possible defenses
Identify the victim, if identity has not been established.
What must doctors, nurses or funeral directors NOT do at a post-mortem?
What must doctors, nurses or funeral directors NOT do at a post-mortem?
Any doctor, nurse or funeral director attending (other than the authorised pathologist(s)),
are not permitted to assist with the post-mortem and must observe only.
Who in the Police should attend the post-mortem? (OOEPSF)
Who in the Police should attend the post-mortem? (OOEPSF)
The OC investigation
The OC Body
A member specifically designated as exhibits officer for post-mortem if required
Police photographer, SOCO or fingerprint officer if required.
What must you do if a homicide or serious crime involves a Maori victim?
What must you do if a homicide or serious crime involves a Maori victim?
In the case of a homicide or serious crime involving a Maori victim you must engage with a Iwi Liaison Officer as early as possible.
This will support an understanding and awareness of the Maori traditions, protocol and beliefs, and
enhance relations between the investigation, family of the deceased and the Maori community.
What should you inform the person who conducts the formal identification?
What should you inform the person who conducts the formal identification?
It is important those carrying out the formal identification are fully informed of what is required of them and
what they should expect to see when they view the deceased particularly after a post-mortem examination has taken place.
What are methods of identification? (FFDDEMP)
What are methods of identification? (FFDDEMP)
Mutilation or decomposition may render visual identification of a body impossible.
You can consider the following methods of identification in consultation with the Coroner:
Fingerprints
Facial reconstruction
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.
What information can a pathologist and forensic anthropologist provide about skeletal remains?
What information can a pathologist and forensic anthropologist provide about skeletal remains?
When skeletal remains are found a pathologist with the assistance of a forensic anthropologist can usually provide information such as:
Whether the remains are actually bones
Whether the bones are human
The age, gender, height and race of the person.
When do you strip the body?
When do you strip the body?
Stripping the body will take place immediately before the post-mortem examination commences
But must only be undertaken on the specific direction of the OC investigation
Generally after a visual examination and
Collection of evidence from the clothed body has been completed.
Who is responsible for the exhibits relating to the body? (RLPSSP)
Who is responsible for the exhibits relating to the body? (RLPSSP)
The OC Body is responsible for recording, labelling, packaging, sealing and
securing all physical exhibits relating to the body
including samples taken during the post-mortem.
What should the OC Body provide the OC Exhibits in order to maintain an unbroken chain of exhibit continuity and security?
What should the OC Body provide the OC Exhibits in order to maintain an unbroken chain of exhibit continuity and security?
The post-mortem Scene Exhibit Schedule
Copy of the OC Body’s notebook entries
Formal statement.
What form from the police does a doctor or qualified paramedic use to certify death?
What form from the police does a doctor or qualified paramedic use to certify death?
A Deceased Person Certificate (POL 265)
What is the primary function of a Family Liaison Officer (FLO)?
What is the primary function of a Family Liaison Officer (FLO)?
The primary function 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.
What is the term family?
What is 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 that should reflect the victim’s culture and lifestyle.