Serious Crime Investigation Principles and Initial Reponse Flashcards
The two key tasks of any investigation are:
ED
• gathering and preserving evidence
• accurate and detailed documentation
To maintain high standards in the investigation process you must:
MAD AP TE
Mad Aaron Pascoe Team
• Investigative mindset
• Appreciation Technique
• Decisions Scrutinised in Court
• Attention to detail
• Work effeciently
• PRIMED conducting investigations
• Work as a team
The purpose of holding team conferences when investigating a major crime is to:
• Up to date developments in the enquiry
•Opportunity to exchange views and pass on important information
• 2IC instructions to staff on file management and other administrative matters
• OC brief team on important investigative topics, priorities and which lines of inquiry to follow.
Team conferences are usually chaired by the officer in charge. They must be carefully?
Different types of conference include?
• planned
• recorded
• focused and managed to avoid excessive time use
• initial conference
• regular conference
• debriefing conference
• phase team conferences - run by the OC Phase and attended by his/her staff only
Initial Police responders primary functions include
ACC
- attending the scene at an early stage
- taking control of the situation;
- and co-ordinating tasks.
The initial action taken by Police is vitally important and will frequently affect the outcome of subsequent enquiries. The actions taken and how they are prioritised will be critical to the success of the investigation.
What are some things that might suggest it’s not a homicide initially?
• report of a missing person
• report of an abduction
• report of violence where no fatalities are anticipated
• unexplained sudden death (adult)
• sudden unexplained death of an infant
• suicide
• Drug related deaths
• fatal fire
• crime scene without a body present
• hit and run vehicular collision
No matter what the circumstances of a death are. Police’s purpose is always to investigate thoroughly and gather sufficient evidence to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death.
The general investigation model, VAWSEEPO
Victim -Identify and locate the victim(s).
Appreciation - Make an initial appreciation of the incident. assess personal risk and then preserve the lives of others.
Witnesses - Locate and contain witnesses.
Scene - Preserve the scene (e.g. set boundaries).
Exhibits - Note evidence and preserve any that would otherwise be lost or destroyed.
Elements - Consider whether the ingredients of the alleged offence have been established.
Powers - Identify what powers are available and consider whether to execute them.
Offenders - Identify and apprehend suspect(s).
Define Appreciation
PS FO
A method of problem solving.
A series of set steps to ensure the optimum course of action is decided upon.
Considers all factors, the benefits and risks of all alternative solutions.
Ongoing process which involves continually thinking through each new piece of information as it is uncovered.
Applying an appreciation technique can provide the following key benefits:
ESS RUDOR
- Sets expectation
- 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.
Conducting an appreciation AFCO
- Aim - An aim is a short (one line) statement which succinctly demonstrates a single objective.
- Factors - A factor is any circumstance or fact that could possibly have an effect on the manner in which you will achieve your desired outcome.
- Courses Open - ist of all the possible ways the aim could be achieved, bearing in mind the factors and the deductions made from those factors.
- Plan - proposed course of action designed to put the selected course into action in order to achieve the desired aim.
The person reporting an incident is a critical witness in an investigation and it is a priority to obtain all available information from them.
Until Police are able to attend the scene, the complainant/informant may be the only source of information available and accurate information can lead to sound decisions.
Every effort should be made to obtain?
- identity and location of the suspect
- a 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
- details of anyone else at the scene
- full contact details of the complainant/informant
- demeanour of the complainant/informant
- relationship of the complainant/informant, to the victim or suspect
- details of action the complainant/informant has taken and where they have been
- details of any hazards or safety issues that may affect Police approaching the scene/victim.
In order to reduce this risk, the complainant/informant may be asked to do what until Police arrive?
5 Points
- guard the scene (of safe)
- 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
Having ensured the safety of those present at a scene upon arrival, the next priority is to establish the physical condition of the victim. This falls into one of three categories:
Alive and uninjured
Alive but injured
Shows no signs of life
If the Victim is alive but injured a Detective should accompany them to hospital, whilst at hospital what steps should be undertaken
10 points
- obtain medical opinion
- seize clothing and other evidence
- establish ID
- obtain pre infusion blood sample using toxicology kit
- Firearms- seize bandages over wounds, and residue samples
6 . Photoghraphs - DNA swabs
- Details of visitors
- Conduct a scoping interview with the victim
- Pre-lim with medical/ambo staff
If it is anticipated the victim may die, consider recording an immediate statement, whether the victim can sign it or not. If the victim subsequently dies, their statement may be admissible in proceedings as hearsay evidence, under section 18(1) of the Evidence Act 200
how can police satisfy statement is admissible?
The court must be satisfied that both the content of the statement and the person who made it, are reliable. Police taking the statement must therefore record any factors which demonstrate the reliability of the statement or its maker.
The circumstances to consider under section 16(1) of the Evidence Act 2006, include:
- 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.
