Victims Flashcards
What are the three key elements of a homicide
Victim
Location
Suspect
What are the 15 responsibilities of OC body
PMS RAMS LIPS CDD
- LIFE extinct (doctor or paramedic)
- maintain SECURITY and continuity of the body/samples/exhibits until PM
- SECURE and guard the body/samples/exhibits with dignity and respect
- RECORD observations relating to body
- DETALS medical staff/others who attended to the victim
- record ACTIONS taken by any party in respect of the body
- establish if the body has been MOVED or DISTURBED
- PHOTOGRAPH/VIDEO in situ
- arrange TRANSPORT to mortuary (OC investigation authorises)
- complete 1S procedures
- arrange formal ID of body
- obtain MEDICAL records
- attend POST MORTEM
- attend DEBRIEF of pathologist
- ensure CULTURAL responsibilities have been addressed
OC Investigation to
• notify coroner
• arrange PM
• consult pathologist before PM regarding x-rays/scans
What 9 areas should be considered in briefing experts and interested parties
HIT AS PEAS
- PHOTOGRAPHS/video recording taken at the scene
- ACTIONS of the first responders
- IDENTITY of the body
- HISTORY of the body - medical history, drugs found at scene, action taken or developments since the discovery of the body
- TIMEFRAMES relating to finding of the body and last sighting
- SCOPE and priorities of the investigation
- SPECIAL evidential exceptions and requirements
- ENVIRONMENTAL factors at the scene (weather, pollen, nearby heating appliance)
- Any other ADDITIONAL information received from other experts
What 10 factors should be considered in the appreciation in respect of removal of the body from the scene by the OC Investigation/Body/Scene
VERBS PECCC
- Notification and response from CORONER
- VIEWS of the pathologist, ESR, crown solicitor attending the crime scene
- Consultation with other relevant EXPERTS
- REQUIREMENT for any examination or action needed before removal based on known facts fo the case
- BEST method and route for body removal to minimise contamination
- SUPERVISION of body removal
- CHAIN of custody of body from scene to mortuary
- Safe custody of EXHIBITS
- FAMILY/cultural considerations
- PROTECTIVE clothing SOP
Where the body has been moved/disturbed at a scene……
- 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
Establish what movement has taken place and record information asap
Samples should not be taken from the body at the scene unless consultation between ESR, OC Investigation/Scene/fingerprints.
Taken where evidence would otherwise be lost or contaminated by moving the body and include
- larvae and insects
- fingerprint evidence from the skin on the body of the victim and/or clothing
- DNA swabs
- extraneous items (loose hairs, fibres, glass, paint, fragments)
- firearms residue
Who authorises removal of the body from the scene
OC Investigation
Steps to take for removing a body from the scene
WASH UP CRC MP
- record position of the body (sketch, photograph, video)
- mark and record position of body before moving
- record details of the position the body including (limb position, appearance, wounds, clothing, direct of any blood trails, lividity, rigorous mortis)
- consider health risks handling the body
- cover hands, feet, head with paper bags secure with tape
- ensure clothing on the body is not contaminated by contact with foreign objects
- wrap body in plastic sheet then body bag
- search underneath where body lay
- retain sheets, bags other materials used to transport body as exhibts
- approval from OC investigation to remove body
- arrange undertaker
What 9 factors should be considered in an appreciation in respect of a post-mortem
SIP FEAAR
- ID of the body at the mortuary
- authority from coroner to conduct PM
- consultation with pathologist
- safe custody of exhibits
- identifying who should attend the PM
- requirement for any specific need for examination or sampling
- appropriate resources at the PM (exhibits/photographs)
- family/cultural considerations
- any likely requirement for second or more PMs
What is the primary role of OC body during a post-mortem
Observes, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body in a structured, methodical manner
What is the purpose of a post-mortem and what information can it provide to further the investigation
To establish the cause of death
- mode and time of death
- establishing how injuries/events at the scene may have contributed towards the death
- determining nature and size of any weapon used
- determining approximate height and stature of suspect
- providing areas of interest for witness and suspect interviews
- negating possible defences
- identifying victim if not already established
Who may attend the post-mortem
- pathologist
- coroner
- any other pathologist assisting
- doctor who treated deceased
- doctor/nurse/funeral director representing the deceased • doctor representing the interests of a suspect who has or maybe charged
- any other doctor or trainee doctor
- police
- any other person authorised by coroner
Police who should attend the post-mortem are….
- OC investigation
- OC body
- member specifically designated as exhibits officer for PM
- photographer
- SOCO/fingerprints officer
What other parties should be considered to attend the post-mortem at the authority of the coroner
- ESR
* Crown Solicitor
What experts may be consulted by the OC Investigation regarding the conduct of the post-mortem
- odontologist
- biologist
- medical illustrator
- toxicologist
- ballistics expert
- crime scene examiner
- entomologist
- anthropologist
- disaster victim identification
What Police equipment is required by the OC body for the post-mortem
FLIPP PENS TM NBB
- MEK
- toxicology kit
- body label
- notebook and pens
- scene exhibit schedule
- copy of POL47
- deceased person certificate
- deceased person identification
- exhibit packaging
- protective clothing (paper suit, gloves, mask)
- photos from the scene showing body in situ
- exhibit numbers available obtained from OC exhibits
- pre-printed exhibit labels
- brown paper for placing between blogs of any bloodstained clothing
- firearms residue kit
If taking exhibits found at the scene to the post-mortem the OC body must make sure……
The item is properly packaged to avoid contamination but also be clearly visible
Weapons must not be taken to the mortuary until after the post-mortem to avoid contamination
What is the purpose of seeking assistance from an iwi liaison officer or the likes
To assist the progress of the investigation, establish positive relations and avoid the potential for inadvertent offence being caused
On arrival at the mortuary with the body from the scene OC body must do what 5 things
- ensure mortuary staff do not wash body
- ensure body is labelled and secured in secure mortuary fridge
- retain key used to secure the body until is required for the PM
- ensure body remains in its present condition until PM
- arrange formal ID of the body
What are the methods of identification if a visual ID is not possible
- fingerprints
- DNA
- dental records
- eye examination records
- medical records (scars, birth marks, implants, prosthetics, x-rays, surgical wounds, tattoos)
- personal effects
- facial reconstruction
What information can a pathologist provide on skeletal remains
- if remains are actually bones
- if they are human bones
- age, gender, height and race of the person
What 5 things must be provided to the pathologist before the post-mortem
- copy of the POL47
- MEK
- toxicology kit
- medical records of the deceased
- photographs/videos taken at the scene (include exhibits/weapons/body in situ)
Note taking during the post-mortem
OC Body must NOT make any notes of discussion concerning the post-mortem exam unless specifically directed to by the OC Investigation and/or the pathologist
What clothing must be worn by persons present during the post-mortem
- shoe covers
- gloves
- overall
- face mask
What details must be recorded by the OC Body at the commencement of the post-mortem
The names and roles of any other persons present
What 12 steps must be taken by OC Body in stripping the body
BLISS PREP CCS
- only done in the presence of the pathologist
- remove body from secure mortuary fridge into PM room
- remove body from bag
- exhibit body bag, sheets, wrapping
- police photographer to taken photos (clothed/unclothed)
- remove clothing (don’t cut, search pockets)
- inventory of clothing and possessions as each item is removed
- label each item of clothing and possession
- seal each item in a seperate bag
- ensure exhibits do not cross-contaminate each other
- maintain security and continuity of the body and exhibits until PM commences
- sieve in mortuary drain to collect trace evidence
OC Body must ensure the photographer takes sufficient photographs of the body……..
- before it’s stripped
- after it’s stripped
- closeups of wounds, marks, internal injuries, unusual features using a measuring scale
The pathologist must conduct what procedures / do what during the PM
- record description of the body (height, weight, build, eye colour, hair
- record body’s external appearance (injuries, bruises, scars, scratches, discolouration and imperfections eg false teeth or leg)
- uses specialist kits for collecting evidence samples
Who is responsible for exhibits seized during a post-mortem
OC Body
Must ensure all items are packaged and sealed before leaving the mortuary and recorded on scene exhibit schedule
What should be recorded by the OC body in a debrief at the conclusion of the post-mortem at the direction of OC Investigation and/or pathologist
Pathologists findings
Cause of death
What should the OC Body provide OC Exhibits with at the completion of the PM
- scene exhibit schedule from PM
- copy of OC body’s notebook entries
- FWS
What must be included on the 1S file
- POL47
- decades person certificate
- deceased person identification
- statement relating to victim’s formal ID
When may a second post-mortem be directed by the coroner
- if pathologist is unable to determine cause of death in initial PM
- suspect lawyer seeks approval from coroner to conduct independent PM
- solicitor general order further PM after application to high court
What samples may be taken during a post-mortem
BULL ON SHO
- stomach contents
- head and pubic hair
- urine
- ocular fluid
- bile
- liver
- lungs
- organs
- nasal cavity
