Witness Management Flashcards
State why it is important that Police who have first contact with the informant to a serious offence should be debriefed regarding the contact?
Police who have first contact with the informant should be debriefed and a full record made of their account. This record could become crucial if the informant is later identified as a suspect. In some circumstances, consideration should be given to interviewing such oficers as investigatively imoportant witnesses.
Scene witnesses proximate to events evidence transferred etc. What actoins interviewing Police take prior to interview and then state types of physical evidence that may be present?
- 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.
- A witness may not fully understand the significance of Police requesting Forensic examination to tact and consideratoin must be used when broaching the subject.
On some occasions it may be necessary to conduct a prompt, preliminary interview with a witness who possesses information of material that is likely to rapidly progress the investigation. What might such information lead to?
- Early identification or arrest of a suspect
- Recovery of evidence or information relevant to the offence
- Prevention of imminent disposal or destruction of evidence connected to the investigation
- Prevention of the commission of other offences
When appointing an officer to interview a witness to a serious offence, what four main issues should be considered regarding the potential interviewing officer?
- The level of training of the interviewer, namely whether the witness requires a level 3 specialist interviewer, a level 2 advanced interivewer or a child interviewer.
- The experience the officer has in interviewing witnesses in major investigations and any additional skill the interviewer has which may be adventageous in the circumstances.
- The suitability of the officer to undertake the interview. This should includea consideration of any welfare issues and whether any previous experience that the officer has with the witness is likely to either inhibit or encourage a rapport with the interviewee, or give rise to later challenges of coaching. prompting, or offending inducments.
2 reasons why it is important to do risk assessment relating to witnesses of a serious offence.
A risk assessment must be conducted to establish the extent to which a witness might at risk of intimidation and / or physical harm. Different forms of intimidation may result from a witness providing information to Police, ranging from fear of going to court to their life being at serious risk.
- To ascertain whether the witness is at risk of being intimidated
- To ascertain whether the witness is at risk of physical harm
During the course of some trials witness intimidation may occur. What can OC Witnesses do?
- Risk assessment must be conducted to establish the extent of the intimidation or physical harm
- If threat to life exists, matter should be dealt with in accordance with National Witness Protection Programme guidlines
- An application may also be made to a judge for witness anonymity
In relation to witness control, you must ensure that witnesses do not:
- Have any contact or communication with jurors
- Discuss the case in public area whilst waiting to give evidence
- Discuss the case with witnesses waiting after they have given evidence
When a witness is at court, what material may a witness use to refresh their memory prior to giving evidence?
At court a witness may refresh their memory by reading any previously signed statements or interview transcripts.
When Crown solicitor directs Police to interview an alibi witness, what actions must Police take?
- Make enquiries to determine the veracity of the alibi
- Conduct inquiries as directed by the OC investigation and crown solicitor including any statements obtained
