Victims Flashcards
What are the OC body responsibilities
Ensure death has been certified by dr using deceased person cert
Maintain security and continuity of the body, samples and exh from the scene to post- mortem
Note and record observations relating to the body
Note details of medical staff or others who have attended to 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 body is photographed in situ, consider video
On authority of of OC INV arrange transport of body to mortuary
Complete sudden death procedures
On authority of OC INV arrange for formal ID of body
Obtain med history of victim for pathologist
Attend post mortem with OC INV
Make sure sufficient photographs obtained of body
Preserve EV from body
Record, label and secure all samples and exhibits associated with the body
Attend the debrief of the pathologist and record findings on direction of OC INV or pathologist
Ensure all cultural responsibilities have been addressed
Prior to removing the body, what must the OC body do?
Make an appreciation in respect of the removal of the body. These factors should include….
Notification to and response from the coroner
Views of the pathologist, ESR, crown solicitor attending scene
Consultation with other relevant experts
Requirement for any examination or action needed before removal based on the known facts of the case
Best method and route to remove the body to minimise contamination of the scene or the body ie sterile step plates
Supervision of body removal
Chain of custody from scene to mortuary
Safe custody of exhibits
Family or cultural considerations
Prior to moving body of must make an appreciation which should record SOP….
The standing operation procedures SOP for what and how items of protective clothing must be used in relation to the scene and body (paper suits gloves and masks) unless a specific reason exists to retain them they should be placed in a bag and destroyed
What action should police take where the body has been disturbed at the scene
Establish what movements have taken place and OC record that info
Do not attempt to restore
Make enquiries to enable the original unchanged scene to be subsequently reconstructed and photos if required
Who should be appointed as OC body at a serious crime
An experienced investigator with awareness of forensic issues. If not possible OC body may require additional support and/or mentoring
The appointment of an additional deputy to assist OC body as scene exhibit officer specifically during the postmortem should be considered
Describe the OC body role during postmortem examination
Observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body in a structured methodical manner
How can the pathologists findings with the body assist in an investigation
Establishing how injuries/ or events at the scene may have contributed towards the death of the victim
Determining where possible the mode and time of death
Determining the nature and size of the weapon used
Determining the approximate height and stature of the suspect
Providing area of interest for subsequent interviews with witness l/ suspects
Negating possible defences
ID victim if ID has not been established
What instructions should be given to a person ID a body
Fully informed of what is required of them and what they should expect to see when the view the deceased, particularly
after a postmortem has taken place place
List 4 methods of ID a body that has decomposed
Facial reconstruction
Fingerprints
DNA profiling
Dental records
Personal effects
What info might a forensic anthropologist provide analysis of skeletal remains
If they are actually bones
If they human
Age/gender/height race of the person
When may the OC body take notes regarding the postmortem
Must not take notes concerning PM Examination unless specifically directed to by the OC INV and/or pathologist
When should OC body strip the body of clothing
Stripping of the body will take place immediately B4 the PM examination starts, but must only be undertaken on the specific direction of OC INV, generally after a visual examination and collection of evidence from the clothed body has been completed
In addition to photographs taken at the scene, OC body must ensure the photographer at the mortuary takes sufficient appropriate photographs of:
Body B4 stripped
Body after stripped
Close photos of any wounds marks internal injuries and unusual features
These photographs must include a measuring scale placed in proximity to the feature being photographed
What is OC bodies responsibility in relation to exhibits from the body
Recording, labelling, packaging, sealing and securing all physical exhibits relating to the body including samples taken during PM
All exh must be packaged and sealed before leaving the mortuary
At the conclusion of the PM, OC body must hand all exh to OC exhibits. List three things that the OC body mist do
Provide OC exhibit with:
PM scene exhibit schedule
Copy of their NB and Formal ST
