SHORT ANSWER PART TWO Flashcards
Police attending a serious crime incident must make an appreciation before taking decisions and prioritizing tasks. Good decisions are not a matter of luck or guesswork; they are the outcome of a process of logical reasoning and careful consideration.
What is the definition of an Appreciation, in relation to Initial Action at a crime scene?
o 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.
o An appreciation is an ongoing process which involves continually thinking through each new piece of information as it is uncovered.
During a briefing to an area canvass team, there will be a number of key points delivered to the team.
One of the most important points is “the appropriate instruction for staff who may speak to a witness who has information of probative value”
What would the appropriate instructions be if this did occur?
Advise staff that evidence of probative value must be obtained in a formal written statement rather than in a notebook form.
There is also a need for the questionnaire to be endorsed if a statement is taken.
What information should you obtain from a witness?
- ID of suspect
- ID of victim
- Location of suspect
- Location of victim
- Location of scene
- Anyone else a scene
Alibi witnesses who are identified under section 22 of the Disclosure Act 2008 can only be interviewed under the direction of the Crown Solicitor.
When Crown Solicitor directs Police to interview an alibi witness, what actions must the Police take?
- OC suspect to make enquiries re: alibi, results to Crown/Solicitor via 2IC
- OC suspect to follow up with persons to confirm/deny alibi
- Confirm where suspect was/what they were doing
- where possible, corroboration of alibi via forensic/other sources independent from suspect
In the investigation of all serious crimes, it is important to ensure the “Chain of custody” is preserved. This will demonstrate the integrity and therefore the admissibility of exhibits.
Describe what is meant by “The Chain of Custody”?
Chain of custody records all persons who have had custody of an exhibit from when it was first discovered until the exhibit is presented at court.
An alibi may be put forward by a defendant concerning a matter in respect of criminal proceedings which has already commenced. When alibi evidence is put forward at this point it places a responsibility on the OC Suspects.
What is the responsibility?
It is the responsibility of the OC suspects to make enquiries to determine the veracity of the alibi and to fully report the result of these enquiries to the Crown Solicitor, via 2IC.
To what extent a scene guard is able to determine which events or information are relevant to the case will largely depend on how well they have been briefed.
Name four duties of a scene guard?
- Secure Scene – Deny any person entering the scene unless they have authorization.
- Record Details – Have a crime scene log e.g.
-Name and designation
-Authority to enter the scene
-Purpose of visit
-Time of entry / exit - Control movements – People entering to use CAP
- Record movements – Record all movements & veh details
- Brief others – Any relevant info received from OC Scene / Crime Scene Coordinator
You are conducting a SW and find an item of interest under the bed of 11 High Street, Gladstone. It is a small cardboard box which contains a plastic bag. Inside the plastic bag is a plastic bottle. Inside that bottle are two meth tabs.
Describe how these exhibits would be described and numbered when exhibiting the items of interest?
The cardboard box would be given a number like 10001
The plastic bag would be given 10002 (location be 10001)
The plastic bottle would be given a number 10003 (location be 10002)
The two meth tabs would be given a number 10004 (location be 10003)
Police attending a serious crime incident must make an appreciation before making decisions and prioritizing tasks. Good decisions are the outcome of a process of logical reasoning.
What are 4 key benefits when applying an appreciation technique?
- Informs all police what they are expected to achieve
- Increases the chance of success. i.e. the investigative aims/objective 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
The OC body is responsible for securing all exhibits taken from the body, including the clothing samples and all items of property associated with the body.
Discuss when the OC Body should strip the body of clothing or personal effect?
Stripping of the body will take place immediately before the PM examination commences, but must only be undertaken on the specific direction of the OC investigation, generally after a visual examination and collection of evidence from the clothed body has been completed.
The OC Body must prepare the Sudden Death (1S) file and submit it as soon as possible so that a coronial inquest can be opened.
Under part 5 of the homicide and serious crime victims chapter in the Police Manual, list two copies of forms that must be included in the 1S file?
o Statement relating to victims’ formal identification
o Copy of deceased person identification – Pol 265A
During the initial response to a serious crime attended by Detective Tully, a witness discreetly identifies a suspect who is still present at the scene.
As outlined in Part 1 of initial response to homicide or serious crime chapter in the Police Manual, what is the procedure for Detective Tully to follow when dealing with the suspect at the scene of a serious crime?
List four of the steps in the procedure?
The identification, apprehension and isolation of the suspect are priority. Locating the suspect quickly can provide the investigation with forensic and other evidence that may otherwise be lost.
- Separate suspect from other persons
- Consider condition of suspect
- As suspect to remain at the scene/co-operate
- If refuse to remain, consider whether grounds to arrest
- Consider search of suspect
In the case of a homicide involving a Maori Victim, an OC Body will be involved in aspects of the investigation that Maori may find distressing. It is suggested that an Iwi Liasion Officer (ILO) must be engaged as early as possible to provide assistance to the investigation.
Discuss why an ILO assistance to a homicide investigation is important and how they may assist you?
What is a ILO/how can they assist?
- Iwi liasion officer
- form awareness of maori culture, beliefs and protocol
- may involve participation in ceremonies such as formal welcomes, traditions, beliefs
- maori values should be respected within confines of integrity of the investigation
In a serious crime investigation, a Disclosure Manager is appointed.
What is the role of a Disclosure Manager?
o Ensure all relevant and disclosable material is provided to defence counsel
o Ensure all relevant and non-disclosable material is identified, listed and defence advised
o Continually assess the risk to ensure that non-disclosable material is identified and not disclosed
When attending a scene where a body has been disturbed, the Police must take a certain action.
Discuss what action would you take?
- Establish what movements have taken place and record the information
- Do not attempt to restore the scene to it’s original unchanged condition
- Make enquiries to enable the original unchanged scene to be subsequently reconstructed and photographed if required.
