Victims Flashcards
What are the three elements of a homicide?
Victims
Suspect
Location
The OC Body role should be assigned to?
Experienced investigator with an awareness of forensic issue.
Unless in an emergency the body must not be moved until
The OC Investigation has given authority.
Responsibilities of the OC Body
- Certified - ensure death has been certified by doctor or qualified paramedic.
- Maintain security - of body, samples, exhibits from scene to post-mortem
- Secure and guard - body, body samples, any exhibits relating to the body
- Record - observations and actions taken relating to body
- Establish - if the body has been moved or disturbed
- Details - of any medical staff and others
- Photograph - body in situ
- Transport - on OC investigation authority arrange transportation to mortuary.
- Sudden death - complete procedures
- ID - Arrange formal ID of body
- Medical history - obtain records of victim
- Attend post-mortem examination
- Debrief - attend pathologists debrief and record findings
- Cultural responsibilities address.
Upon consultation what samples may be taken from deceased? specimans (FIFED)
- larvae and insects
- fingerprint from skin or clothing
- DNA swabs
- Extraneous items e.g loose hairs, fibers, glass paint.
- firearm residue samples
Recording the position of the body (BRAWLL)
B - direction of any trails of blood
R - extent of rigor mortis present
A - appearance of the body
W - wounds and clothing
L - position of the limbs
L - lividity if present
What is the primary role of the OC Body at the Post Mortem (exhibits)
To observe, document and deal with any exhibits associated with the body.
In a structured methodical manner.
The pathologists findings will provide information to drive the investigation (WITH ID V)
W - Nature & size of weapon
I - Injuries /events at scene contributed to death
T - Mode & time of death
H - Approximate height and stature of suspect
I - Provide area of interest for subsequent interviews of witnesses/suspects
D - Negating defences
V - ID victim if unknown
Who else can attend a PM with authority of the coroner?
- ESR forensicr scientist
- Crown Solicitor
The pathologist must be supplied with what relevant information and material?
- POL47
- MEK
- Toxicology kit
- Medical records of the deceased
- photographs and recordings from the scene incl. exhibits, weapons, body in situ.
Where skeletal remains are found a Pathologist assisted by Forensic Anthropologist can usually provide information such as:
Whether the remains are actually bones, the bones are human and age, gender, height and race of the person.
Who must police inform if tissue samples are taken?
The family
Items that may be of interest to the pathologist and the investigation team (BFL)
Ballistic projectiles
Foreign items e.g hair, fibers, blood, semen
Ligatures - any knot present must not be cut or undone.
Photographing the body at the mortuary
- Before it is stripped
- after it is stripped
- close up of any wounds, marks, internal injuries, and unusual features.
When should OC. Body strip the body of clothing?
- Immediately prior to post Mortem. Under the direction of OC investigation and after the visual exam and evidence collected.
- Wear full PPE
- must be stripped in front of pathologist
Second post Mortem may be directed if
- Pathologist unable to determine cause of death
- suspects lawyer seeks approval for an independent post-mortem
- solicitor general orders a further post-mortem
OC Body must make am appreciation in respect of post mortem
- approval from pathologist
- authority from coroner
- DHB permission
If it is anticipated the victim may die. Under S18(1) evidence Act what makes a statement admissible
Both the content of the statement and person who made it, are reliable.
Police must record any factors that demonstrate reliability.
Reference to S16(1)
Establish if the body has been moved
- do not attempt to restore the scene to its original unchanged condition
- make enquiries to enable the original unchanged scene to be subsequent reconstructed and photographed if required.
Appreciation prior to post-mortem
- ID of body at the mortuary
- authority from the coro er to conduct post Mortem.
- consultation with the pathologist
- safe custody of exhibits
- identify who should attend PM
- Any specific needs for examination
- family/cultural considerations
