Serious Crime Module - Family Liaison

Question 1

What is the primary role of an FLO?

Answer 1

Involves the day-to-day management of the partnership between the family of the deceased and the Police investigation.

The primary function of an FLO is that of an investigator and not a support person. However, in performing this role, the FLO must offer, facilitate and co-ordinate support that addresses the needs of the family.

Question 2

How is ‘family’ defined for FLO responsibility?

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

What must the FLO do prior to meeting the family?

Answer 3

• Liaise closely with the OC Investigation regarding what information is to be shared and/or held back
• Familiarise themselves with the enquiry
• Familiarise themselves with all information established concerning the family
• Establish what contact the family has had with Police since the incident/death
• Establish what information has been given to the family
• Establish what information concerning the incident is already in the public domain

Question 4

What is the time frame associated with victim impact statements?

Answer 4

The victim impact statement must be available for sentencing and should be no older than 28 days at the time of sentencing.

Question 5

What should the family be notified of in relation to information released to the family?

Answer 5

• Programmes, remedies, or services available through Police to the family as victims in their own right (section 11)
• Progress of the investigation (a legal requirement under section 12)
• The family’s role as witnesses in the prosecution of the offence
  When an offender is arrested, the FLO must:
• Inform the family of their rights to register on the VNR
• Ascertain the family’s views on bail
• Inform the victim’s family of:
  o Charges laid
  o The date and place of each Court appearance
  o Release on bail of the accused
  o Any application made by the accused
  o Details of bail conditions

Question 6

When examining the lifestyle of a victim, sources of information frequently fall into which two categories?

Answer 6

1. People
2. Passive data

Question 7

What are some examples of people when looking at examining the lifestyle of a victim?

Answer 7

• Friends
• Colleagues
• Partners
• Associates
• Online or social media contacts
• Hobbies and habits
• Travel movements
• People along the routes they were known to take
• Customers or suppliers
• Religious leaders or associates
• Cultural associations
• Other people that they come into contact with

Question 8

What are some examples of passive data?

Answer 8

• NIA
• CID
• Medical history
• Mental health records
• HSMU
• Landline telephone details and associated enquiries
• Mobile telephone records
• Internet usage
• Vehicle details
• Banking and other financial material
• Diaries, letters and personal documents
• Photographs and video footage belonging to family, friends and the victim
• Passport and immigration