Victims Flashcards
Value of the Victim
The Victim is one of the three key elements of a homicide, together with the suspect, and the location.
Responsibilities of the OC Body
- Ensure death has been certified by a DR or a 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.
- Note and record observation relating to the body
- Note details of medical staff or others who have attended the Victim.
- Record what actions have been taken by any party in respect of the body
- Establish if the body has been moved or disturbed.
- Ensure the body is photographed ‘in situ’ and consider using video recording
- On authority of the OC Investigation, arrange transportation of the body to the mortuary.
- Complete sudden death procedures
- On authority of O/C investigation, arrange formal identification of the body using POL 265A
- Obtain historical medical records of Victim for pathologist.
- Attend the post- Mortem examination with the OC Investigation, or deputy appointed by them, and
* attend the briefing of the pathologist by the OC investigation, and contribute as required.
* ensure the Police photographer takes appropriate and sufficient photographs of the body before clothing is removed, again after the body is disrobed, and during the post- mortem examination. the pathologist will direct the photographer.
*Preserve evidence from the body
* Record, label and secure all samples and exhibits associated with the body.
*Arrange for fingerprints and palm prints to be taken if required. - Attends the debrief of the pathologist and record the findings, on direction of the OC and/ or pathologist.
- Ensure all cultural responsibilities have been addressed.
The OC Investigation responsibility is to:
- Notify the coroner early of the death
- Arrange the post-mortem examination, in consultation with the coroner
- Consult the Pathologist before the post- mortem commences, regarding the relevant and benefit of conducted X ray or CT scan of the body
When briefing an Expert and other interested Parties, the key area for consideration are:
- Photographs and/ or video recordings taken at the scene
- Actions of the first responders
- Identity of the body
- History of the body- including medical history, drugs found at the scene, or developments since the discovery of the body
- Time frames relating to the finding of the body, the last sighting and other significant times that may impact upon time of death.
- Priorities of the investigation
- Any special evidential expectations and requirements
- Environmental factors at the scene, i.e. weather conditions, ambient/ historical temperature, nearby heating appliances, pollen influences
- Any other additional information received from other experts, as appropriate.
Appreciation to be made prior to body removal
- Notification to and response from the coroner.
- Views of the pathologist, ESR forensic scientist and Crown Solicitor attending the Crime Scene.
- Consultation with other relevant experts
- Requirement for any examination or action needed before removal, based on known facts of the case.
- Best Method and route for body removal to minimise contamination of the scene or the body, eg. sterile stepping plates.
- Supervision of the body removal
- Chain of custody of the body from the scene to the mortuary
- Safe custody of exhibits
- Family and/ or cultural considerations.
- Record the Standing Operating Procedures for what and how items of protective clothing (e.g gloves and paper suits) must be used in relation to the scene and the body.
Preparing for Removal of the body
- Record the position of the body by sketch plan and direct a Police photographer to take photographs. Consider video recording or other imaging techniques.
- In consideration with the Crime Scene Coordinator and/ or OC Scene, consider marking and recording the position of the body before moving it, for example by measuring the distance from at least two nearby fixed features.
- Record all details of the position of the body including:
-Position of the limbs
-Appearance of the body
- Wounds and clothing
- Direction of any trails of blood present on the body
- Lividity, if present (coloration of skin due to gravitational movement of blood)
-Extent of any rigormotis present. - Consider what health risks may be presented by handling the body.
- Cover the hands, head, and feet with paper bags, with a wide tape to prevent any trace evidence being lost. Tape so that it is secure but not so tight as to leave new marks on the body.
- Ensure clothing on the body is not contaminated by contact with foreign objects
- Wrap the body in a plastic sheet and place it in a body bag.
- Carefully search underneath where the body lay.
- Retain, as exhibits, all sheets, bags or materials used to transport the body.
- Obtain approval fro the OC Investigation to remove the body from the scene.
- When directed by the OC Investigation, arrange a contracted undertaker to remove the body to the mortuary, Ensure you are able to account for the security and continuity of the body as an exhibit at all times, until the pathologist commences the postmortem examination. Ensure the undertaker uses a body bag which is sterile.
What is the primary role of the OC body during a postmortem?
Is to observe, document, and deal with exhibits associated with the body in a structured, methodical manner.
What is the purpose of a postmortem
- 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 weapons 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.
Who may attend a Postmortem?
- The Pathologist
- The Coroner
- Any other Pathologist assisting (if authorised by the Coroner)
- A doctor who treated the deceased
- A doctor, nurse or funeral director representing the deceased (if authorised by the Coroner.)
- A doctor representing the interests of the suspect who has or may be charges in relation to the death (if authorised by the Coroner)
- Any other doctor or trainee doctor (If authorised by the Coroner)
- Police
- Any other person
authorised by the Coroner.
What Police members should attend the Postmortem?
- The OC Investigation
- The OC Body
- A member specifically designated as exhibits officer for postmortem, if required.
- Police Photographer
- SOCO of fingerprint officer if required.
Particular consideration should be given to seek authority for the following parties to attend the Postmortem:
- ESR Forensic Scientist
- Crown Solicitor.
What Experts may be considered to be in attendance at the postmortem?
- Odontologist
-Biologist
-Medical Illustrator
-Toxicologist
-Ballistics expert - Crime Scene Examiner
-Entomologist
-Anthropologist
-Disaster Victim Identification.
What should the OC Body ensure they have when attending the Postmortem?
MEK examination kit
Toxicology kit
Body label
A notebook and pens for use solely during the post-mortem
A Scene Exhibit Schedule form - a template is included in the Serious Crime Template
Copy of completed Pol 47
Pol 265 Deceased Person Certificate
Pol 265A Deceased Person Identification
Exhibit packaging supplies including envelopes, tape, exhibit labels and numerous paper exhibit sacks of various sizes
Protective clothing i.e. paper suit, gloves and carbon filter masks
Photographs from the scene, if available, showing the body ‘in situ’
A range of available exhibit numbers for the post-mortem, obtained from the OC Exhibits
Pre-printed exhibit labels bearing the allocated exhibits numbers, if available
Roll of brown paper, for placing layers between folds of any bloodstained clothing
Firearms residue kit, if relevant.
On Arrival at the mortuary, the OC Body must:
1 Ensure mortuary staff do not wash the body.
2 Ensure the body is labelled and secured in the secure mortuary fridge.
3 Retain any key used to secure the body, until it is required for the postmortem.
4 Ensure the body remains in its present condition until the commencement of the postmortem.
5 Arrange formal identification of the body.
*** What methods should be considered to identify the body? (If decomposed/ mutilated)
Fingerprints
DNA profiling (identification results take 3-4 weeks or 48 hours for urgent analysis)
Dental records, available through the Region Forensic Dentistry Advisor
Eye examination records
Medical examination records, including scars, birth marks, implants or prosthetics, x-rays, surgical wounds, amputations and tattoos
Personal effects
Facial reconstruction
