Exhibits Flashcards
Appointment of OC exhibits
OC EXHIBITS APPOINTMENT
Suitably qualified in terms of training and relevant experience. Recommended a qualified detective with experience in mass exhibit handling, managing contamination issues, use of PROP and IMT and forensic principles
4 responsibility of O/C exhibits in serious crime investigation
OC EXHIBITS RESPONSIBILITIES
- Establishing and maintaining exhibit management system
- Maintaining physical security and continuity of exhibits
- Establish evidential value of exhibits
- Investigate opportunities presented by exhibits
- ID further enquires needed
What to update O/C investigation as O/C exhibits
What exhibits have been found, the results of any exhibit exams, whether further enquires required
Importance of forensic strategy for examination of exhibits
FORENSIC STRAT MEETING
Allows OC exhibits to prioritise tasks in line with investigation - further exams required and priority of those exams
Ensures exhibits are protected and the maximum potential forensic evidence and intelligence are recovered from theme
Topics covered during forensic strategy meeting
FORENSIC STRAT TOPICS
- Exams ESR and others could conduct
- Priority each examination should get
- Is further work needed for reconstruction
- Plan for any work to be completed to assist reconstruction
Integrity of the electronic exhibits register
To protect integrity, only OC exhibits and typist should have password access to make alterations to it - though all team members can view
Describe chain of custody state its purpose
CHAIN OF CUSTODY
- Includes every individual who has custody of an exhibit from time it was discovered until the time it is produced in court
- Demonstrates integrity/admissibility of exhibits
- Each person in court must be able to demonstrate when they received custody of exhibit, from who, where and how exhibit was stored
- Why exhibit was moved from one place to another
- Exhibit treatment, safeguarded and preserved
- When and why they transferred custody of an exhibit to another person, and who
O/C Exhibits - specific matters regarding each exhibit
EACH EXHIBIT
- Evidential value of each exhibit
- Investigation opportunities presented by each exhibit
- Further enquires that are needed
- Established relevance to investigation
O/C exhibits to attend all investigation team meetings and…
To facilitate information sharing/liaison between OC investigation/2IC/crime scene coordinator/OC scene/ESR
Who decides what exhibits are to be prepared and produced at the trial?
O/C investigation in consultation with O/C exhibits
Action of O/C exhibits to take when there are further enquires
Highlighted to the 2IC so FOLLOW UP ENQUIRES can be initiated
- Ensure exhibit exam decisions are confirmed through forensic stat process
- Record in exhibits register all decisions taken about types of exams to be conducted and priority
- Ensure OC investigation has authorised exam
- Prepare exhibits for forensic exams (items separately packed, sealed, labelled, numbered)
- Ensure POL143 lists items, is consistent with labels and contains sufficient information
