Victims Flashcards
Three key elements of a homicide
Victim
location
suspect
Responsibilities of OC body
- Secure and guard the body
- record what actions have been taken in respect of the body
- establish if the body has been moved or disturbed
- ensure the body is photographed
- complete sudden death procedures
- obtain medical records
- ensure cultural responsibilities have been addressed
Steps to remove the body
Record position of the body by sketch and direct photographer to take photos
Consider marking and recording the position of the body
Record all details of the position of the body
Consider health risks presented
Cover hands feet and head with paper bags
ensure clothing is not contaminated
wrap the body in a plastic sheet and place it in a body bag
search where the body lay
retain materials used as exhibits
obtain approval to move the body
arrange Undertaker
Role of OC body at the post mortem
To observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body in a structured methodical manner
Who can attend a post mortem
The pathologist
the coroner
a Doctor who treated the deceased
police
any person authorised by the coroner
a doctor nurse or funeral director representing the deceased (if authorised)
Dr representing the interests of a suspect (if authorised)
Police who should attend the post mortem are
OC investigation
OC body
police photographer
SOCO or fingerprint officer
OC exhibits for post mortem
Other experts that may be consulted
Odontologist
biologist
medical illustrator
toxicologist
ballistics expert
entomologist
anthropologist
crime scene Examiner
disaster victim identification
Formal identity responsibility
OC body is responsible for arranging formal identification and for obtaining a statement of formal identification
Stripping the body
Must be stripped in the presence of the pathologist
remove body from the fridge and take body into the examination room
remove the body from the body bag take possession of the body bag and any wrappings as exhibits
Direct police photographer to take additional photographs
remove items of clothing
make inventory of clothing and label each item
seal each item in a separate bag prevent cross-contamination
maintain security and continuity of body and exhibits
What to Direct the photographer to photograph
The body before it is stripped
the body after it is stripped
close ups of any wounds, marks, internal injuries and unusual features (must include a measuring scale)
Body exhibits responsibility
OC body is responsible for recording, labelling, packaging, sealing and securing all exhibits including samples taken during post mortem
Preparing 1S file must include
Statements of formal identification
copy of police form 47
Deceased person certificate
deceased person identification form
What samples can be taken from the body at the scene
Larvae and insects
fingerprint evidence
DNA swab
firearm residue samples
extraneous items such as loose hairs, fibres, glass, paint or other
What information can be obtained from skeletal remains
If the remains are bones
if the bones are human
age, gender, height and race
Action when the body is disturbed
Do not attempt to restore to original condition
Make enquiries to reconstruct the original scene
