Victims Flashcards
Homicide Key Elements
- Victim
- Suspect
- Location
Forensic research confirms that every contact leaves a trace. Whenever two items come into contact with each other there is a two way transference, from one item to the other and vice versa. Therefore the body must be treated as a scene and afford all appropriate efforts and resources.
Appointment of OC Body
Appointed by the OC Investigation, and reports to the Crime Scene Coordinator. The OC Body should be an experienced investigator with awareness of forensic issues. The appointment of an additional deputy to assist the OC Body as ‘Scene Exhibits Officer’ specifically during the post-mortem examination, should also be considered.
Responsibilities of OC Body
The OC Body must:
- ensure death has been certified by a doctor or qualified paramedic using a Deceased Person Certificate (POL 265)
- maintain security and continuity of the body, samples and exhibits, from the scene to the commencement of the post-mortem examination
- secure and guard the body, body samples and any exhibits relating to the body, with dignity and respect
- note and record observations relating to the body
- establish if the body has been moved or disturbed
- ensure the body is photographed ‘in situ’ and consider using video recording
- complete sudden death procedures
- obtain historical medial records of victim for information of pathologist
- attend the post-mortem examination with the OC Investigation, or deputy appointed by them, and:
- preserve evidence from the body
- record, label and secure all samples and exhibits associated with the body
- ensure all cultural responsibilities have been addressed.
Establishing if the body has been moved
It is not uncommon for movement of the body to have occurred during the initial stages of the police and other emergency services response. Quickly establish what movement has taken place and that the OC Body record this information as soon as possible.
Where the body has been disturbed:
- Do not attempt to restore the scene to its original unchanged condition.
- Make enquiries to enable the original unchanged scene to be subsequently reconstructed and photographed, if required.
Preparing for removal of the body
The body must be considered a ‘scene within a scene’ and as such, the OC Investigation is ultimately responsible for ensuring how the removal and examination of the body will be managed. The body must not be moved without specific authority from the OC.
These factors should be considered in an appreciation to the removal of a body: notification to and from the coroner, views of the pathologist, ESR and Crown, requirement for any examination or action needed before removal, best method and route, supervision, chain of custody, family and cultural considerations.
Recording details and removing the body
When recording body details and removing a body from the scene:
1. Record position, direct photographer to take photographs
2. Consider marking body before moving it
3. Record position of limbs, appearance of body, wounds and clothing, direction of blood, lividity
4. Consider health risks by handling body
5 . Cover the hands, feet and head with paper bags, secured with tape to prevent any trace evidence being lost when the body is moved.
6. Ensure clothing on the body is not contaminated by contact with foreign objects.
Post-mortem examination
The primary role of the OC body during a post-mortem is to observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body, in a structured, methodical manner.
OC Body should pay close attention during the post-mortem considering each piece of information carefully to identify what deductions can be made and what significance it has for the investigation.
It is important that at every stage, to ask the question: “So what? What does this mean?”
Purpose of a post-mortem
The primary reason for conducting a post-mortem examination is to establish the causeof death. The pathologist’s findings will provide further information to drive the investigation which may include:
- determining where possible, the mode and time of death
- establishing how injuries and/or events at the scene may have contributed toward the death of the victim
- determining the nature and size of any weapon(s) used
- determining the approximate height and stature of the suspect
- providing areas of interest for subsequent interviews of witnesses and/or suspects
- negating possible defences
- identifying the victim, if identity has not been established.
Attendance at a Post Mortem
Any doctor, nurse or funeral director attending (other than the authorised
pathologist(s)), are not permitted to assist with the post-mortem and must observe only.
Police who should attend the post-mortem are:
- the OC investigation
- the OC Body
- a member specifically designated as exhibits officer for post-mortem
- Police photographer
- SOCO or fingerprint officer, if required.
The OC Investigation must consider if any other experts may be able to add value to the investigation by attending the post-mortem examination, with the authority of the Coroner. The use of internal and external experts should be discussed with the Crown Solicitor, Pathologist and Coroner.
Particular consideration should be given to seeking authority from the Coroner for the following parties to attend the post-mortem ESR forensic scientist and Crown Solicitor.
Equipment
OC Body must collect the Police equipment required for the post-mortem examination and ensure this is readily available at the mortuary:
- MEK
- Toxicology kit
- Body label
- Notebook
- Scene Exhibit Schedule Form
- POL 47
- Deceased Person Certification
- Deceased Person Identification
- Exhibit packaging supplies
- Protective Clothing
Taking Exhibits to the Mortuary
Items found at the scene which are relevant to the post-mortem examination may need to be taken to the mortuary or to the pathologist for inspection. The exhibit must be properly packaged to avoid contamination, but also be clearly visible.
To avoid potential contamination, weapons must not be taken to the mortuary until after the post-mortem examination has been conducted. The OC Body must maintain the continuity of any exhibit used in any way.
Maori Culture
In the case of a homicide or serious crime involving a Maori victim, an Iwi liaison Officer must be engaged as early as possible. This will support an understanding and awareness of the Maori traditions, protocol and beliefs, and enhance relations between the investigation, family of the deceased and the Maori community.
Formal Identification
The OC Body is responsible for arranging formal identification of the body and for obtaining a statement of formal identification.
Identification will only take place at the direction of the OC Investigation. If possible, this should occur before the post-mortem examination, however this may not be possible due to a risk of contamination or because the post-mortem will take place in a different geographic area to the one where the body was discovered. Identification will also be impractical after the body has been sealed in a body bag.
Methods of Identification
Mutilation or decomposition may render visual identification of a body impossible. Where the identity of victim cannot be established, consider the following methods of identification, in consultation with the Coroner:
- fingerprints
- DNA profiling
- dental records
- eye examination records
- medical examination records, including scars, birth marks, implants or prosthetics, xrays, surgical wounds, amputations and tattoos
- personal effects
- facial reconstruction.
Information Through Skeletal Remains
When skeletal remains are found, a pathologist, with the assistance of a forensic anthropologist, can usually provide information such as:
- Whether the remains are actually bones.
- Whether the bones are human.
- The age, gender, height and race of the person.
