Witness Management Flashcards
What are the principles guiding the management of witnesses
Identifying and locating witnesses
Identifying risks
Interviewing witnesses
Ongoing support and safety of witnesses
Why should police who have contact what’s the informant be fully debriefed
This record could later become crucial if this identified as the suspect
Resources that may identify witnesses
CCTV, Media releases, area canvas, interviews this victims and witnesses, suspect interviews,anniversary appeals, road check points
What methods may be used to identify witnesses
CCTV Media releases Area canvas Interviews Suspect interviews Anniversary appeals check points
Initial inquiries might be confined to the following places such as within ear shot of what locations
Where the victim was last seen alive Location of initial contact with suspect Place victim was assaulted Murder site Body dump
Consider withness searches in the following places
Along possible access and escape routes and
Major geographical locations such as foot routes. Bud and train stations
What must you do if a witness is likely to have evidence upon them
Prepare a plan to preserve and recover all available physical evidence including DNA,fingerprints, clothes, footwear, fibres, body fluids, glass and other materials
What information might you expect to obtain from a preliminary witness interview
Early identification or arrest of a suspect
Recovery of evidence or information relevant to the offence
Prevention of imminent disposal or destruction of evidence
Prevention of the commission of further offences
In order to prevent contamination of the witness how should the preliminary interview be conducted
In accordance with the investigative interviewing witnesses guide
Limit questions to TEDS questions
Framed to elicit a brief account of events
Before any formal witness interview is conducted what must the team identify
Does the witness require special consideration
Witness availability
Any witness needs for special assistance
The Optimum approach to be taken
What are the minimum points to establish with a witness in the initial questioning?
Use inv. Int. Witness Guide. What happened? Where did it happen? When? Who was involved? What the witness did. Where the witness went. What the witness touched Who touched the witness Who else was present Their descriptions What did the others do/say?
What are the minimum points to establish with a witness in the initial questioning?
Use inv. Int. Witness Guide. What happened? Where did it happen? When? Who was involved? What the witness did. Where the witness went. What the witness touched Who touched the witness Who else was present Their descriptions What did the others do/say?
What are the minimum points to establish with a witness in the initial questioning?
Use inv. Int. Witness Guide. What happened? Where did it happen? When? Who was involved? What the witness did. Where the witness went. What the witness touched Who touched the witness Who else was present Their descriptions What did the others do/say?
What should the plan to preserve and recover evidence from witnesses consider?
Immediate DNA swabs of any areas the suspect may have touched.
Immediate DNA swabs of blood.
Immediate swabs of any other relevant stains.
Forensic medical examination.
Seizure of clothing and footwear.
Seizure of any items touched by the suspect.
Also consider these points:
Avoid potential cross contamination by using different vehicles and interview went for witnesses victim or suspects.
Photograph witnesses at the scene for future reference and comparisons to CCTV or other matters.
Photograph any injuries on witnesses.
What steps should be taken to assist in obtaining key material from witnesses?
Obtain full details of all persons present at the scene.
Assemble people in the clear area with an officer present.
Conduct a brief scopIng interview with witnesses using TEDS.
Establish if anyone has left the area.
Confirm any phone calls made by witnesses. Verify records.
Record vehicle details near the scene.
Sees any CCTV in the vicinity or on routes.
