Suspects

Question 1

What must O/C suspects do when investigating alibi offered by a suspect?

Answer 1

(Where an Alibi has been put forward by an offender in respect of the investigation OC Suspects must make thorough enquiries to determine the veracity of the alibi and and provide a full report to the Crown Solicitor, via the 2IC.
When particulars of alibi witnesses are supplied under section 22 of the Criminal Disclosure Act 2008, complete prosecution report (QHA) and active charges report for each name and provide these to the Crown Solicitor, via the 2IC.
Alibi witnesses must not be interviewed by Police except at the request of the Crown Solicitor.)
In investigating any alibi offered, the OC Suspects must:
P• make enquiries of people other than the alibi witness to confirm or rebut evidence in support of the alibi
W• complete enquiries to establish where the suspect was, who they were with and what they were doing at the time of the offence.
F• Seek forensic or other sources that are independent of the suspect to confirm or rebut the alibi

Question 2

OC Suspect – Briefing the suspects team:

Answer 2

The first duty of the OC Suspects is to brief their suspects team members. In order to do this the OC Suspects should analyse the information available such as witness statements, police reports and information from the scene.

Their initial briefing should encompass:

C• the circumstances of the offence including an analysis of the scene and witness evidence available

D• the full details of all persons of interest and any suspect, where the identity of suspects are known

D• details of any descriptions of the suspect provided by witnesses

M• whether any particular modus operandi/crime signatures have been identified.

Question 3

What are the OC Suspects responsibilities when supervising members of the suspects team?

Answer 3

PIPED

P • Profile and investigate all suspects and persons of interest to enable the OC Investigation to establish whether or not they are involved
I • obtaining information about suspects and persons of interest, as they are identified by the OC Investigation
P • providing a basis for further investigation.
E • seek evidence to establish all ingredients of the offence(s)
D • Dealing with possible defences

Question 4

Suspects – Determine investigation priorities:

Answer 4

Investigate all suspects thoroughly in order of priority as decided in consultation with the OC Investigation.

Aspects that might influence the setting of priorities are:

• the relative weight of evidence against a person
• the likelihood of their leaving the area.
• urgency in solving the case
• the availability of staff.

Where there is no firm line of suspect enquiry, priority should be given to anonymous information, particularly during the early stages of the investigation.

Question 5

Suspects – Provide briefings/debriefings:

Answer 5

The OC Suspects phase must regularly debrief their team members on the enquiries they have conducted and the results of these enquiries so that they can maintain a constant flow of information at conferences, between the members of the suspects team and other investigation staff.

Priority information must be brought to the attention of the OC Investigation as necessary.

Question 6

Suspects – Medical examination:

Answer 6

The OC Suspects will arrange, in consultation with the OC Investigation, for a Police doctor to examine the suspect. The doctor must:

• Note any injuries, such as scratches or bruises
• Take samples identified as necessary by the OC Investigation using a specialist Medical Examination Kit, including:
• blood
• saliva
• pubic and body hair, if relevant
• fingernail scrapings
• swabs of the suspect’s hands or other relevant areas
• Swab the suspect’s hands for firearms residue using a specialist Firearms Detection Kit, as soon as possible where a firearm has been involved in an offence. Such residue may persist on the hands or clothing of a suspect for up to three hours.
• 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 of injuries. Photographs of the suspect and any relevant marks or injuries must be taken.

Question 7

During any interview with the suspect the OC suspects must ensure that?

Answer 7

• Interview is conducted in accordance with investigative interviewing procedures
• It is monitored by a supervisor or experienced detective
• Ensure explanation is sought from suspect regarding any exhibits