Witness Management

Question 1

CMAS

Locating witnesses - methods to utilise

Answer 1

• CCTV
• Media release
• Area canvass
• Suspect interviews

Question 2

MBPP

Locating witnesses - locations:

Answer 2

• Murder site
• Body decomposition site
• Place where victim was assaulted
• Place where victim was last seen alive.

Question 3

Witness as a scene

Of note only

Answer 3

Some witnesses may have been so proximate to events that it is likely evidence was transferred to the witness, from the victim, suspect or from the scene itself.

Before a witness is interviewed, a plan must be prepared to preserve and recover all available physical evidence from the witness including DNA, fingerprints, clothes, footwear, fibres, body fluids, glass or other material.

Question 4

EPRP

Preliminary witness interviews

On some occasions it may be necessary to conduct a prompt, preliminary interview with a witness who possesses information or material that is likely to rapidly progress the investigation, ie. information that may lead to:

Answer 4

• Early identification or arrest of a suspect
• Prevention of the commission of other offences
• Recovery of evidence or information relevant to the offence
• Prevention of the imminent disposal or destruction of evidence connected to the investigation.

Question 5

SNOW

Initial witness assessment

Before any formal interview is conducted, the investigator must make an assessment of the witness.

The assessment should consider how the witness interview should be conducted, and enable the investigation team to identify:

Answer 5

• Special considerations
• Needs for special assistance
• Optimum approach
• Witness availability

Question 6

IAIS

Witness interview plan

Answer 6

• Interview time and location
• Amount of information to disclose
• Interview objectives
• Someone to monitor