Serious Crime Questions Flashcards
What is the definition of an appreciation in relation to initial action at a crime scene?
An appreciation is a proven method of problem solving. The process follows a series of steps to ensure the best action is taken, it is an ongoing process that involves evaluating each new piece of evidence.
It weighs up the benefits & the risks with each appropriate course of action, and other alternative solutions.
Describe instructions to the Photographer RE: taking photos of a body at the Post Mortem:
Firstly photos prior to stripping the body
Secondly photos after stripping the body
Thirdly photos of any wounds, cuts, scratches, unusual marks/injuries.
Ensure an accurate tape measure is used.
Why is it important to appoint an Family Liaison Officer?
It involves the day to day management between the Police (one person), and the family of the deceased. It is important to ensure that one person from the Police is supplying them with information, but also receiving any information from them. It is to remain transparent. It also ensures that a good relationship is built with the family.
What four actions will assist Police to obtain key material from witnesses at the scene?
- Contain/Isolate the witnesses
- Prioritise interviews by investigative importance
- Photographs witnesses/injuries
- Conduct ‘scoping’ interviews
Why is it important to debrief team members on the OC Suspects team?
It is important to debrief the suspects team regularly to share updates of enquiries that have been conducted, and the results of those enquiries. Its important to be liaising with the investigation team and bringing priority information to the OC Investigation
Regarding safe storage of exhibits what three matters should be addressed before an exhibit is accepted by OC Exhibits and placed in the exhibit room?
- Exhibit Labelled appropriately (with exhibit number, op name, file number). Ensure description, seizure date/time, QID of finder is in IMT
- Property is packaged correctly/sealed.
- Any action to preserve exhibit is taken (i.e. wet or blood stained)
O/C Area Canvas what matters should be contained in a report?
The report should outline the circumstances of the particular phase of the investigation, and include a summary of what action was undertaken, any significant findings/information that led to any other action taken outside of the original phase strategy
Under Serious Crime Investigation Phase list FOUR qualities that must process to maintain high standards:
- Have an investigative mindset.
- Work as a team
- Consider how your decisions may be scruinised during cross-examination in court down the track
- Carry out your taskings efficiently
- Maintain excellent communication skills (oral and written)
- Attention to details
Discuss why a well-considered initial action is important to an investigation?
A: The initial action taken by Police will ultimately affect the outcome of the investigation. Attending the scene early on, taking control of the situation and co-ordinating tasks will minimise any loss of evidence and maximise opportunities to secure relevant information. The actions taken and how they are prioritised will be detrimental to the success of the investigation. VASEEPO. Freeze, Control, Guard, and Preserve
4 Key Reasons for holding team conferences when investigating a major crime?
- Keep all persons working on the enquiry up to date with developments
- Gives the opportunity to exchange views and pass on important information.
- 2IC an opportunity to pass on important instructions to staff on file management
- O/C in charge to brief team on important investigative topics, prioritise, and which lines of enquiry to follow
Four early issues the Family Liaison are required to resolve?
- Arranging for accommodation for the family if they are asked to leave their house (crime scene) and any transportation
- Providing the family with details with ‘what happens next’ – and providing a ‘when someone dies booklet’
- Establish from family any immediate evidence, any rumours circulating
- Protect the family from unwarranted media intrusion
- Advise OC Investigation asap if there is a threat to personal safety
What matters should OC Area Canvas record in master record of progress?
The OC Area Canvas should regulary update the master record of progress they should include:
- The enquiries that have been done (i.e. what houses / persons have been spoken to there),
- Any information of significant value that has fallen out of these enquiries (bring to OC Investigation attention)
- Anything that needs readdressing.
- Updating the map
- Documentation completed
When it comes to initial actions at a Scene preserving the scene will increase the likelihood of recovering physical evidence. What steps should someone first on scene follow?
Freeze.Control.Guard.Preserve
- Identify (initial assessment of scene, powers available to deal with EM, crime scene itself (where body found, items suspect could discard), whos there, CAP, SITREP
- Secure (remove all persons using the CAP, establish cordons, arrange/brief scene guards, arrange crime scene logs, prevent unauthroised persons leaving/entering the scene, prevent further loss to EM (i.e. weather, animals).
- Preserve (Record movements in the scene, preserve whats there or to leave ‘in situ’, no immediate risk to life use stepping plates, be prepared to take immediate blood swabs or footprints.
- Consider (initial photographs)
- Record (observe/record full notes of precise details of the scene, complete scene sketch, identify anything that may have been moved, crime scene logs maintaining movements/times etc in the scene.
An alibi may be put forward to defence. When an alibi is put forward at this point it places responsibility on OC Suspects. What is the responsibility?
Whenever an alibi is put forward by an offender as a defence that OC suspect must make through enquiries into the veracity of the claim to confirm if it is true or false. They must fully report the result of it to the Crown via the 2IC of the investigation.
Instructions to person to Identify a victim?
It is OC Body responsibility to arranging formal identification of the body and for obtaining a formal identification statement. If possible ID to take place before the PM, however this isn’t always possible, and its up to the OC Body to inform the person carrying out the formal ID what is required of them, and what to expect when they view the deceased.
If the victim is unable to be ID’d then photographs should include the victims clothing, any tattoos, marks, and unusual scarring.
Why would a second or subsequent post mortem be directed by the Coroner?
- The pathologist is unable to determine the cause of death from the first PM.
- The counsel for defence seeks approval from the Coroner to conduct an independent PM.
- The Solicitor General requests another PM following an application submitted to the High Court.
OC Investigation and OC Body make an appreciation in respect of the PM to be done. What factors should be considered during the appreciation process?
- Identification of the body at the mortuary.
- Authority from the Coroner to do a PM
- Consultation with the pathologist
- Safe custody of exhibits
- IDing who should be at the PM
- Appropriate resources at the PM for packaging exhibits, and taking photographs.
One step OC Body must follow when stripping the body?
- The body MUST only be stripped in the presence of the Pathologist.
- Mortuary assistances can help remove clothing items but only under the supervision of OC Body
When should OC Body strip the body of clothing?
It will take place immediately as the Post Mortem begins but only undertaken on specific direction of OC Investigation
OC Exhibits maintains awareness and significant of each exhibit….what specific matters regarding each exhibit must OC Exhibits determine?
OC Exhibits must determine aa plan, and record the examination and interrogation of every exhibit and establish its relevance to the investigation.
OC Area Canvas must submit a report what matters should it contain?
A report must be submitted by OC Area Canvas at the conclusion of the area canvas, it should include a summary of all action that was taken, any significant findings highlighted, and attention drawn to any action that has been undertaken which was outside of the original phase strategy.
During the course of some trials witnesses intimidation may occur, what can the OC do about this?
By maintaining contact with witnesses, Police will be 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.
Name Four matters to cover from OC Suspects in briefing team
- Full circumstances of offence including scene analysis and witness evidence availiable.
- Full details of all persons of interest/any suspect where ID is known
- Details of descriptions provided by witnesses of the
suspects - Any MO’s identified
S10(4) Disclosure Act obligation imposed by this ss on the person providing the disclosure?
Information required to be disclosed under this Act may be disclosed in whatever form (including electronically) that the person disclosing the information holds it in at the time the obligation to disclose arises and that is readily accessible to the defendant.
