serious crime Flashcards
the two key tasks in any investigation is
- gather and preserve evidence.
- accurate and detailed documentation
purpose of a team conference
- keep everyone up to date
- exchange views and important information
- create opportunity for 2IC to task members and pass on instruction.
- give OC a chance to brief all members on investigatively important topics/ priorites/ lines of enquiries.
team conferences are chaired by the OC and should be …
planned.
recorded.
well time managed.
types of conferences
initial conference
regular conference
debrief
phase team conference (ran by OC phase- attended by that team only)
Initial police responders primary function
attend the scene
take control
co-ordinate tasks until a supervisor, CIB staff or OC arrives.
examples of when a homicide is identified.
Body found.
crime scene w/o body present.
drug related deaths.
fatal fire.
hit and runs.
Offenders omissions.
report of abduction
Report of missing persons
reports of violence.
sudden death- infant.
suicide.
unexplained death
Initial responsibilities and the general investigation model
(VAWSEEPO)
Victim (identify and locate)
Appreciation
Witnesses (locate and contain)
Scene (preserve scene)
Exhibits (preserve Exhibits)
Elements (ingredients of offences)
Powers (what powers do I have)
Offenders (identify and apprehend)
What are the four things I should do at a scene when I turn up?
control
freeze
guard
preserve
basic principles of serious crime investigations
appreciation process
Preserve life/ scene.
identify/ apprehend suspects, secure evidence, identify victim
what is an appreciation
an ongoing method for problem solving in which considers the pros and cons of all options available to you.
Benifits of an appreciation
effective use of resouces.
eliminates duplication.
ensures nothing is overlooked
goals setting
Increases chances of success.
idenitifes tasks
manages risk
reduced uncertainty
How do you conduct an appreciation?
Four points
aim- short one line statement with objective.
factors- anything that could affect your objective.
courses open- all ways I can achieve my goal.
plan-proposed course of action.
what information should you get from the complainant/informant?
Actions taken and movements by complainant/informant at scene.
Circumstances leading up to discovery.
Demenour of complainant/informant.
Details of others at scene.
First hand account of what they know.
Full contact details.
Hazards they have identified
Identity of victim.
precise details of location of scene.
Relationship to victim or suspect.
suspect ID and location
To reduce risk of losing /contaminating scene before police arrival, the informant may be asked to….
Act as scene guard if safe to do so.
await police arrival and identify themselves.
Not to enter scene.
not to touch anything.
prevent others from entering/touching scene.
what should police record about the informant when speaking to them.
Clothing.
Demenour.
exactly what they say.
what is your first priorty at a scene?
safety of attending police and others present
what are the three cateogories the physical condition of a victim?
Alive and uninjured
Alive and injured.
no signs of life.
if a victim is alive but injured and has to be moved, what should you record in your notebook?
their original body position and any previous movements.
What should you record in your notebook if the victim needs to be taken to hosptial
details of the ambulance crew.
exact destination.
What should you do when you arrive at the hospital with the victim?
Obrain medical opinion of victims current condition.
seize clothing and possessions for evidence.
establish identity.
obtain pre-transfusion blood sample using police toxicology kits.
Seize any discarded bandages used to cover gunshot wounds and record the position on the victim where each bandage had been applied.
Obtain firearms residue samples when firearms are suspected.
Note and photograph injuries.
arrange DNA swabs to be taken from victims skin where they would be relevant to case.
obtain details of any all persons who visit and contact victim.
conduct scoping interview with victim.
conduct a prelim interview with ambo/emergency staff who treated victim.
can i take a statement from someone who is going to die?
yes, regardless of whether they can sign it or not. It may be admissible as heresay evidence in a trial.
What factors should I consider under 16(1) of evidence act when taking statements?
accuracy of observations.
circumstances relating to making the statement.
contents of statement.
nature of the statement.
Verasity.
Can you assume that someone is dead?
Not unless it is obvious that they are not.
If there is a chance of life first aid must be administered and ambulance called.
what should i do when a body is discovered?
Call ambo.
Commence first aid/ resurection.
record movements of body.
remain with body until relieved by supervisor.
arrange a dr to pronounce life extinct (unless obvious)
treat victim as a scene.
instruct medical staff to leave clothes on body.
request connecting tubes/ needles/ banadages/ medical items left in situ.
conduct scoping interview with medical staff who treated victim and cover their actions, cause of death, injury types.
ascertain if the victim spoke to anyone before death and record.
record body position, lividity, injuries, clothing.
objectively record everything at scene.
record all exhibits.
scene sketch noting exhibits and victim.
provide full info to OC.
Preserving the scene.
four categories
- identify-
initial assessment.
Powers.
establish crime scene.
approach path.
related crime scenes?
what happened/ who was there?
note observations.
establish assembly point.
SITREP
- secure-
powers- secure scene
remove all persons from scene
with minimal disturbance.
cordon off.
arrange /brief scene guards.
arrange crime scene logs.
prevent unauthorised persons from entering or leaving scene.
prevent further loss or damage.
- preserve-
record movements /actions
taken.
preserve what is in situ.
stepping plates.
take immediate action to preserve evidence.
- consider-
photographs
are persons present necessary.
- record-
integrity of scene.
crime scene logs of
movements/names/times/
reaons for entry and exit to scene.
precise details about scene.
complete sketch of scene.
photograph/video record.
identify anything which is moved.
report to OC investigations.
what is a crime scene log?
records details/times/purpose of all persons who enter/ attempt to enter or leave scene.
scene guard duties
secure scene.
maintain crime scene log
control movements
record movements.
brief OC investigations/ crime scene co-ordinator.
avoid disturbance.
protect scene.
remain on duty until releieved.
brief replacement.
demonstrate courtesy.
initial questions to ask a witness
what happened
where exactly did the incident occur
when did it happen
who was involved
what the witness did
where did the witness go
what did the witness touch
who touched the witness
who else was present
descriptions of those present
what did those present say or do
preserving and recovering evidence from a withness at a scene considerations
immediate DNA swabs of any areas on the witness that the suspect may have touched.
immediate DNA swabs of any blood present on witness.
immediate swabs of any other relevant stains on witness.
forensic medical examination- fingernail scrapings, hair combing etc.
seizure of clothing and footwear.
seizure of any items of property touched by suspect.
what to do with witnesses at scene and obtaining key materials from witnesses
obtain full details of all persons present
assemble people in a clear area, ensuring a police officer stays with them.
isolate witnesses whereever practicable.
identify witnesses and conduct scoping interviews.
establish whether any witnesses left.
establish phone calls taken by witnesses, phone numbers and times of calls.
record regos of nearby vehicles.
seize CCTV
procedure for suspect at scene
seperate suspects from other persons at scene
consider condition of suspect. (injured/ under the influence/special considerations)
ask them to remain at scene and co-operate with police.
as soon as possible remove them by consent or with lawful justification.
if susepct refuses to co-operate consider grounds for arrest.
consider cross contamination and get officers who have not entered the scene to deal with suspect.
read them their rights where appropriate
consider searching them/vehicle/property under S&S
what should you do if media are present at scene?
keep them away from scene.
do not make any comments.
consult with OC investigations and identify the media present.
what will the OC investigations expect to know when they turn up to a scene?
what has occured?
what actions have been taken?
what has not been done?
what needs to be done?
if officers entered the scene what should be done with their shoes?
a photograph, photocopy or print of their footwear should be submitted along with any nbx, jbx, documents.
checklist before attending a scene
appreciation
complainant scene guard if safe
info available
plan
safety assessment
checklist when enroute to scene
look out for suspect
note and consider stopping vehicles attempting to leave scene.
priortise tasks and assign duties
checklist arriving at scene
log arrival with comms
gather info/ conduct risk assessment.
ensure safety of yourself and others at scene.
update comms
identify SFP
identify safe common path
record relevant information
exercise warrantless searches.
clear the scene
contain persons nearby
identify complainant- pre lim.
arrange statement.
checklist what to do with victim if they are injured at scene
first aid.
pre lim.
consider statement (if they are close to death)
treat victim at scene if possible.
DNA swabs
record and photograph injuries.
checklist if you think the victim is dead
call ambo
obtain confirmation of life extinct.
establish identity.
do not remove body
record exhibits, body position, livity
make sketch
photos
update oc investigation
checklist for witnesses at scenes
contain, isolate, and seek co-operation
scoping interview
prioritising interviews
photograph injuries
consider are they scenes themselves?
what are the three elements of a homicide
suspect
victim
scene
responsibilities of OC BODY
ensure death has been verified by DR/ paramedic with deceased person cert is completed.
maintain security of body.
maintain continuity of body and its associated exhibits from scene through to post motem examination.
note and record observations relating to body.
note details of medical staff or others who attended to body.
record what actions have been taken by any party in respect to body.
establish if body has been moved/disturbed.
in situ photographs.
arrange transportation of body to mortuary with authory from OC investigation.
arrange formal identification on authorty of OC investigation.
obtain historical medical history for pathologist.
attend post mortem.
direct photography to take sufficient photos before and after clothes removed and during post mortem.
preserve evidence from body.
record label and secure all samples and exhibits.
arange finger prints /palm prints if required.
attend debrief with pathologist.
ensure all cultural responsibilties have been addressed.
notify coroner early re death and update re post mortem ect.
who determines if the patholigst / crown solicitor may attend?
Oc investigations
information to be considered when consulting with experts.
photos/ video recordings
actions of first responders.
idenitity of body
medical history
history of body.
timeframes relating to finding body.
scope and priorites of investigation
special evidential expectations/ requirements.
eveironmental factors at scene
what should be considered when you are removing the body
notified coroner
views of pathologist, ESR, forensic scientist, crown solicitor.
consultation with any other experts.
what examinations need to be made in situ?
best way to remove body to minimise scene contamination.
supervision of body removal.
chain of custody from scene to mortuary.
safe custody of exhibits.
family/ cultural considerations.
what should you do if body has been moved?
do not attempt to restore original condition.
establish what movements have occured.
consider reconstruction if required.
considersations when taking samples from body at scene
OC investigations will make that call, to consider.
larvae/ insects.
potential fingerprint evidence from skin/clothing.
DNA swabs.
extraneous items such as loose hairs, fibres, glass, paint
firearm residue
should you take samples from the body at the scene
do not take unless consultation has occured between attending ESR, patholigst, OC investigations, crime scene co-ordinator, fingerprints officer.
checklist to record when removing the body.
Position of body
all details of the position including:
appearance
clothing
direction of trail blood
limb position
lividity
wounds
rigor mortis
consider health risks associated with moving body
contain hands feet and head in individual paper bags (use wide tape)
protect any wounds etc.
ensure clthing on body is not contaminated by contact with foreign items.
wrap body in pastic sheet and place in body bag
carefully search underneath where body was.
retain exhibits.
obtain authority to remove body from OC investigations.
arrnage undertaker for transport to mortuary.
considerations prior to post mortem
ID of body at mortuary.
auth from coroner to conduct post-mortem.
consult patholigst.
safe custody of exhibits.
ID who should attend PM.
ID specific examinations that should be done.
ensure all resources at PM.
family/ cultural considerations.
any likely requirements for second/ subsequent post mortem.
what is the primary role of OC body at PM
observe.
document.
exhibits.
purpose of PM
mode of death
how did injuries/ events contribute to death.
nature/size of weapon.
determine stature/height of suspect.
highlight areas of interest for subesquent interviews.
negate possible defences.
ID victim.
who may attend the PM
Pathologist
Coroner.
Dr who treated deceased.
Dr/Nurse/ Funeral director representing deceased.
A Dr representing the suspect who has or may have charges laid again them.
Any other dr/trainee dr/ pathologist/ other person authorised by coroner.
Police.
who from police can attend a PM?
Oc investigations.
OC body.
Member assisting with exhibits.
Photographer.
SOCO
should you tell legal rep of suspect about PM?
The legal rep of any suspect who has been or may be charged for death must be informed of the time date and place of the PM so they have the opportunity seek authority from the coroner to have a Dr attend on their behalf.
