Witness Management

Question 1

What actions should be taken regarding the informant at the scene?

Answer 1

• debriefed and a full record of their account ie. this record could become crucial if the informant is later ID as a suspect.
• consideration around interviewing officers as investigatively important witnesses.

Question 2

What methods can be utilised to locate other witnesses?

Answer 2

• Viewing CCTV
• Media releases and appeals
• Area canvass
• Interviews with victims and other witnesses

Question 3

What locations may locate witnesses in the initial enquiries?

Answer 3

• Place where the victim was last seen alive
• Place where victim was assaulted
• Murder site
• Body deposition site

Question 4

What are the benefits of obtaining a preliminary statement from a witness?

Answer 4

• early ID or arrest of a suspect
• recovery of evidence or relevant information
• prevention of disposal or destruction of evidence
• prevention of commission of other offences

Question 5

What does an initial assessment of the witness enable the investigation team to ID?

Answer 5

• whether the witness requires special consideration
• availability of the witness
• any needs the witness has for special assistance
• the optimum approach to be taken with the witness.

Question 6

When selecting an appropriate interviewer what issues should be considered?

Answer 6

• the level of training of the interviewer
• the experience the officer has in interviewing witnesses in major investigations.
• the suitability of the officer to undertake the interview.

Question 7

What does a witness interview plan normally cover?

Answer 7

• the time and location of the interview
• the amount of information to be disclosed to the interviewee
• setting interview objectives
• supporting the interview
• the structure of the interview

Question 8

Risk assessment

Answer 8

A risk assessment must be conducted to establish the extent to which a witness might be at risk of intimidation and/or physical harm.

Question 9

What issues can be assessed in a debrief once the witness interview has been completed?

Answer 9

• debriefing the interviewers
• ID any need for supplementary interviews
• the assessment of any risk to the witness and ID of any associated steps required to ensure their ongoing support and safety

Question 10

Types of witnesses

Answer 10

• Witnesses who decline to be interviewed
• Reluctant/uncooperative witnesses
• Witnesses requiring protection
• Alibi witnesses