Serious Crime Module

Question 1

1. When should OC Body strip the body of clothing etc

Answer 1

Immediately before the PM but only under specific direction by the OC Investigation, generally after a visual examination and collection of evidence from the clothed body has been completed.

Question 2

2. OC Exhibit maintain awareness and significance of each exhibit…what specific matters regarding each exhibit must OC exhibit determine

Answer 2

The OC exhibits will determine, plan and record the examination and interrogation of every exhibit and establish its relevance to the investigation.

Question 3

3. OC area canvass submit report – what matters should it contain

Answer 3

A summary of actions taken, any significant findings highlighted and any action that has been undertaken outside of the original phase strategy.

Question 4

During course of some trials witness intimidation may occur. Something about what info can OC do…………………

Answer 4

Maintain contact with witnesses so that we are more likely to become aware of any threats, intimidation or interference and can arrange for appropriate action to be taken, such as initiating the witness protection program.

Question 5

Four matter to cover from OC suspects in briefing team

Answer 5

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 M.O/crime signatures have been identified.

Question 6

s 10(4) Disclosure act obligation imposed by this ss on the person providing disclosure

Answer 6

Disclosure may be supplied in whatever form, including electronically, that the person disclosing the information holds it in at the time of request, provided this will be readily accessible to the defendant.

Question 7

benefits of applying appreciation technique. know 4 for test

Answer 7

• 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

Question 8

Requirements file manager ensure are completed when setting up investigation headquarters

Answer 8

Location of headquarters
Office Support Staff
Transport
Equipment
Communications
ICT requirements

Question 9

Why is it important to develop a forensic strategy for exam of exhibits

Answer 9

Allows the OC exhibits to prioritise tasks in line with the direction of the investigation.

Question 10

2 main purposes for police attending scene of any death

Answer 10

Investigate thoroughly and gather sufficient evidence to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death.

Question 11

Action police take when body disturbed at scene

Answer 11

Do not attempt to restore the scene

Make enquiries to enable the original scene to be subsequently reconstructed and photographed if required.

Question 12

What matter OC Canvas record in a detailed master record

Answer 12

What addresses have been visited
Which occupants interviewed
The documentation completed
Relevant comments made

Question 13

In case of homicide who takes VIS and then no older than……

Answer 13

Homicide trained victim support staff are trained to assist Police by taking VIS. No older than 28 days

Question 14

Initial police arrive at stabling victim serious anticipated to die- verbal statement obtained. Under S18(1)(a) E.A 2006 how can police satisfy statement is admissible.

Answer 14

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
The circumstances relating to the accuracy of the observation of the person.

Question 15

How can OC Area Canvass keep morale up of staff

Answer 15

Provide regular feedback on the way canvas Inquiries are contributing to the other phases of the investigation together with updates on the progress being made with the other phases.

Question 16

Decribe 4 methods of identifying body when body decomposed

Answer 16

Fingerprints
DNA but can take 3-4 weeks or 48hrs for urgent analysis
Dental records through Region Forensic Dentist Advisor
Personal Effects
Surgical wounds, amputations and tattooes
Medical examination records, prosthesis

Question 17

18. Scene witnesses proximate to events evidence transferred etc. What action interviewing police take prior to interview and then state types of physical evidence that may be present

Answer 17

A plan must be prepared to preserve and recover all available physical evidence from the witness including DNA, fingerprints, clothes, footwear, fibre, body fluids, glass or other material

Question 18

19. Initial actions of Disclosure manager

Answer 18

Read desk file
Disclosure is now conducted through IMT
Report to the 2IC to receive a briefing, tasking, what information is and is not discoverable and ongoing supervision.

Question 19

20. Action of OC exhibit take when are further enquiries

Answer 19

When the OC exhibits becomes aware that further enquiries are required in relation to a particular exhibit, this must be highlighted to the 2IC so that further follow up enquiries can be initiated.

Question 20

21. Explain common approach path

Answer 20

A designated path into out of the path which avoids any route possibly taken to and from the scene by the suspect or the victim.

Question 21

22. At conclusion of PM, OC body must hand exhibits to OC – list three things that must do.

Answer 21

Provide the OC exhibits with the post mortem exhibit schedule, copy of their notebook entries and a formal statement.

Question 22

23. When Crown solicitor directs police to interview alibi witness – actions police take

Answer 22

Make enquiries to establish veracity of the alibi and to fully report the result of these enquiries to the crown solicitor via the 2IC

Question 23

24. In serious crime, dr may examine suspect- apart from noting injuries and taking samples, what else can dr report on.

Answer 23

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 injuries.

Question 24

25. Describe chain of custody and state the purpose

Answer 24

The chain of custody includes every individual who has had custody of an exhibit from the time it was first discovered until it is produced in court. It is used to demonstrate the integrity and therefore admissibility of exhibits

Question 25

26. 3 categories of a victims medical status

Answer 25

Alive and uninjured
Alive but injured
No signs of life

Question 26

28. Why important in some cases conduct area canvass at same time as offence

Answer 26

To capture people who regularly pass through that area at that time of day.

Question 27

29. 2 reasons why important to do risk assessment relating to witness of serious offence.

Answer 27

Risk assessment must be done to establish the extent to which a witness might be at risk of intimidation and/or physical harm. Different forms of intimidation may result from a witness providing information to Police, ranging from a fear of going to court through to their life being at serious risk.

Question 28

What information to gain from the informant/complainant which will assist the investigation?

Answer 28

Identity and location of suspect
First hand account of what the informant knows
Precise details of the location of the scene
Circumstances leading to the discovery
Identity of the victim
Details of others at the scene
Full contact details
Demenaour of the complainant/informant
Relationship of the complainant/informant to the victim or suspect
Actions taken by the informant and where they have been
Details of any hazards or safety issues that may affect Police approaching the scene/victim.

Question 29

What is the first priority when attending a scene?

Answer 29

Ensure your own safety, the safety of other responders and that of others present at the scene

Question 30

Initial actions to preserve the scene?

Answer 30

Identify the scene and set the parameters as wide as possible
Determine a Common Approach Path
Secure the scene with scene guards
Remove anyone and animals within the scene
Preserve what is there and consider seizing evidence that may be destroyed if left in situ.
Consider initial photography of the scene
Record full notes of precise details of the scene, sketch the scene and identify anything which is move.

Question 31

How an ILO can help an investigation?

Answer 31

They provide an understanding and awareness of the Maori traditions, protocols and beliefs, and enhances relations between the investigation, family of the deceased and the Maori community.

Question 32

What to do if media are present at the scene

Answer 32

Keep them away from the immediate scene cordon and make no comment about the incident. Advise OC investigation when they attend and identify location of media personnel present.

Question 33

Who should be appointed as O/C body?

Answer 33

An experienced investigator with awareness of forensic issues.

Question 34

What is the primary role of the O/C body during a post mortem examination?

Answer 34

Observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body in a structured, methodical manner.

Question 35

When can you write down notes during a post mortem?

Answer 35

You must not make any notes unless specifically directed to by the OC Investigation and/or the pathologist.

Question 36

What directions must you give the photographer in relation to the body at the mortuary?

Answer 36

To take sufficient appropriate photographs of the body before it is stripped, the body after it is stripped and close up photographs of any wouns, marks, internal injuries and unusual features. These photographs must include a measuring scale

Question 37

What is the primary function of the FLO?

Answer 37

The primary function of an FLO is that of an investigator and not a support person

Question 38

What does the term family include?

Answer 38

Includes partners, parents, siblings, children, guardians, whanau and any others who have had a direct and close relationship with the victim including ‘chosen’ family

Question 39

The main objectives of an area canvass?

Answer 39

• Identifying the offender
• Indentifying and locating evidence, such as vehicles, discarded clothing, weapons and other articles
• Identifying witnesses
• Gathering information

Question 40

Specialist Police units such as Criminal Profiling unit, geographic profiling may assist with what in an area canvass?

Answer 40

Setting parameters or identifying locations where suspects are likely to frequent or reside.

Question 41

At the conclusion of the area canvass the OC should issue a report to the OC investigation outlining what?

Answer 41

A summary of all action taken
Any significant findings
Attention drawn to any action that has been taken outside of the original phase strategy.

Question 42

Interviewing a suspect the OC suspect must ensure

Answer 42

Conducts the interview in accordance with the Investigative Interviewing suspect guide
That 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 43

In investigating an alibi the O/C suspects must?

Answer 43

Make enquiries of people other than the persons whose particulars have been supplied to confirm or rebut evidence in support of the alibi
Complete enquiries to establish where the suspect was at the time of the offence, who they were with and what they were doing.
Wherever possible, corroboration of the alibi provided by the suspect should be sought from forensic or other sources that are independent of the suspect.

Question 44

What must the Crown be provided in relation to disclosure?

Answer 44

The crown must be provided with an identical copy of all material that is disclosed to defence counsel. The crown should also review an un-edidted copy of the material where appropriate.