Serious Crime Module - Initial Response

Question 1

What are the benefits of positive action during the initial stages of an investigation?

Answer 1

• Minimise any loss
• Maximise opportunities to secure relevant information i.e., intelligence and admissible evidence

Question 2

What are some examples of incidents that may not initially be identifiable as homicide?

Answer 2

• Missing persons
• SUDI
• Unexplained death
• Abduction
• Report of violence where no fatalities are anticipated
• Crime scene without a body present
• Hit and run 1V
• Suicide
• Fatal fire
• Drug-related deaths

Question 3

What does VAWSEEPO stand for?

Answer 3

• Victims: 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)

Question 4

What four aspects should you do regarding initial action at a scene?

Answer 4

• Freeze
• Control
• Guard
• Preserve

Question 5

What are the 6 basic principles underpinning all serious crime investigations?

Answer 5

• Appreciation process
• Preserve life
• Preserve scene
• Identify and apprehend suspects
• Secure evidence
• Identify victim

Question 6

What is the definition of appreciation?

Answer 6

An appreciation is a proven method of problem solving. The process follows a series of set steps to ensure the optimum course of action is decided upon. It considers all appropriate factors and weighs the benefits and risks of all alternative solutions, allowing sound decisions to be taken. An appreciation is an ongoing process which involves continually thinking through each new piece of information as it is uncovered.

Good decisions are not a matter of luck or guesswork; they are the outcome of a process of logical reasoning and careful consideration.

Question 7

What are the benefits of applying an appreciation technique (8)?

Answer 7

• Informs all Police what they are expected to achieve
• Increases the chances of success i.e., the investigative aims/objectives being met
• 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

What steps should be followed to conduct an appreciation?

Answer 8

AFCO: Aim, Factors, Courses Open, Options/Plan.

Question 9

What is the definition of ‘Aim’?

Answer 9

An aim is a short (one line) statement which succinctly demonstrates a single objective.

Question 10

What is the definition of ‘Factors’?

Answer 10

A factor is any circumstance or fact that could possibly have an effect on the manner in which you will achieve your desired outcome e.g., resources available, the environment and weather conditions, and history of the relevant parties.

“So what? What does this mean?”
“Therefore…”

Question 11

What is the definition of “Courses Open”?

Answer 11

Courses open are a list of all the possible ways the aim could be achieved, bearing in mind the factors and the deductions made from those factors.

Question 12

What questions must be asked when considering Courses Open?

Answer 12

• 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.

Question 13

What is the definition of “Plan”?

Answer 13

A plan is a proposed course of action designed to put the selected course into action in order to achieve the desired aim.

Question 14

What must a plan be?

Answer 14

• The logical outcome of the Appreciation
• Clear, concise and leaves no room for misinterpretation
• Designed to avoid introducing matters not previously considered by the appreciation
• Consistently considerate of safety issues
• Recorded
• Delivered to staff using the GSMEAC format

Question 15

What are the three categories when establishing the physical condition of the victim?

Answer 15

• Alive and uninjured
• Alive but injured
• Shows no signs of life

Question 16

What steps should you take on arrival to hospital when a victim is alive but injured (11)?

Answer 16

1. Medical opinion of the victim’s current medical condition
2. Seize the victim’s clothing and other possessions as evidence
3. Establish the victim’s identity
4. Obtain a pre-transfusion blood sample using Police Toxicology Kit containers
5. Seize any discarded bandages and record the position
6. Arrange firearms residue samples
7. Note and photograph any injuries
8. Arrange DNA swabs to be taken from the victim’s skin
9. Obtain details of any and all persons who visit or contact the victim
10. Conduct a scoping interview with the victim
11. Conduct a prelim with ambulance and emergency staff who treated the victim

Question 17

What is outlined in s18 of the Evidence Act 2006?

Answer 17

(1) A hearsay statement is admissible in any proceeding if –
(a) The circumstances relating to the statement provide reasonable assurance that the statement is reliable; and
(b) Either –
(i) The maker of the statement is unavailable as a witness; or
The Judge considers that undue expense or delay would be caused if the maker of the statement were required to be a witness

Question 18

When considering a hearsay statement as admissible evidence, what circumstances should you also consider regarding reliability?

Answer 18

• 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 making the statement
  Circumstances relating to the accuracy of the observation of the person

Question 19

What steps should you take when you discover a body (13)?

Answer 19

1. Ambulance and resuscitation. If the victim has to be moved, note the original body position
2. Remain with the body
3. Arrange a doctor to pronounce life extinct (unless the death is obvious)
4. Treat the ‘victim’ as a scene
5. Instruct medical staff to leave clothes on the body
6. If medical treatment has been given, request that all medical items are left ‘in situ’
7. Conduct scoping interviews with medical staff to establish their actions, apparent cause of death and injury type(s)
8. Ascertain if the victim spoke to anyone before death and record what was said
9. Record body position, lividity, obvious injuries and clothing
10. Objectively record everything observed using all senses.
11. Record all exhibits
12. Sketch the scene
13. Provide full information to the OC investigation

Question 20

What five steps should the first Police officers arriving at the scene take?

Answer 20

1. Identify
2. Secure
3. Preserve
4. Consider
5. Record

Question 21

What is a crime scene log?

Answer 21

A log that 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.

Question 22

What is the purpose of a crime scene log?

Answer 22

• There is no unauthorised entry into the scene
• Integrity of evidence or potential evidence is secured
• Intelligence opportunities are maximised
• Contamination issues are managed

Question 23

What are the duties of a scene guard?

Answer 23

• Secure scene
• Record details
• Control movements
• Record movements
• Brief others
• Avoid disturbance
• Protect scene
• Remain on duty until relieved by the incoming scene guard
• Brief replacement
• Respect security
• Demonstrate courtesy
• Inform others

Question 24

What approach should be made regarding witnesses (8)?

Answer 24

1. Obtain full details of all persons present at the scene
2. Assemble people in a clear area
3. Isolate witnesses
4. Identify witnesses and conduct a brief scoping interview
5. Establish whether any persons have left the area
6. Record and/or photograph call logs on the witnesses’ phones
7. Record registration numbers of nearby vehicles
8. Seize any CCTV relevant to the vicinity/routes to establish who may have been in the area

Question 25

What steps should be taken regarding suspects at the scene (12)?

Answer 25

1. Separate suspects from other persons
2. Observe and record the condition of the suspect
3. Ask them to remain at the scene and as soon as possible remove them by consent or with lawful justification
4. If the suspect refuses to cooperate, consider whether grounds exist to arrest
5. Prevent cross contamination by using officers who have not entered the scene to manage the suspect
6. Caution the suspect when arresting, detaining, or questioning
7. Search the suspect and suspect’s vehicle
8. Search the vicinity of the suspect and the area or route they are thought to have taken
9. Note the suspect’s appearance, behaviour and demeanour
10. Record everything the suspect says
11. Interview on video
12. Brief the OC investigation on their arrival, highlighting any significant risks surrounding cross-contamination or movement within or near the scene