Initial response to homicide or serious crime Flashcards
(25 cards)
Initial Police Responders (ATC)
Attending the scene at an early stage
Taking control of the situation
Coordinating tasks
Possible homicides
Fatal fire
Missing person
Drug related
Unexplained death
Suicide
VAWSEEPO (initial responsibilities)
Victim - identify and locate
Appreciation - assessment of risk, situation and then preserve life of others
Witnesses - locate and contain
Scene - preserve the scene
Exhibits - note evidence and preserve
Elements - consider elements of an offence
Powers - identify what powers are available
Offenders - identify and apprehend suspects
Appreciation
A proven method of problem solving. The process follows a series of steps to ensure that the optimum course of action is decided upon.
It considers all appropriate factors and weighs the benefits and risks of all alternative solutions, allowing sound decisions to be taken.
It is an ongoing process which involves continually thinking through each new piece of information.
Benefits of an appreciation
Manages risk
Eliminates duplication
Ensures nothing is overlooked
Reduces uncertainty
Establishes a sequence
Effective use of resources
AFCO
Aim - statement of a single objective
Factors - circumstances that could have an effect on the manner in which you will achieve your desired outcome
Course Open - list of possible ways to achieve your aim
Outline Plan - proposed course of action designed to put the selected course into action in order to achieve the desired aim
Police purpose at death
Investigate thoroughly and father sufficient evidence to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death.
Complainants/informants
- Identity and location of suspect
- What they know
- Location of scene
- Identity of victim
- Full contact details
- Demeanour
- Relationship to victim/suspect
Victim’s medical status (3)
Alive and uninjured
Alive but injured
Shows no signs of life
Dealing with victim at hospital
- Obtain medical opinion
- Seize victim’s clothing/possessions as evidence
- Establish identity
- Obtain blood sample using toxicology kit
- Seize any discarded bandages and record position
- Arrange firearms residue samples
- Note and photograph injuries
- DNA swabs of skin
- Obtain details of any or all persons who visit or contact victim
- Scoping interview
- Prelim interview with ambo and emergency staff
Discovering a body
- Consider ambo/resus
- Remain with body until relieved
- Arrange doctor for life extinct
- Treat victim as scene
- Instruct medical staff to leave clothes on
- Leave medical items in situ
- Scoping interview with medical staff
- Ascertain if victim spoke to anyone before death
- Record body position, lividity, injuries
- Objectively record anything observed
- Record all exhibits
- Sketch a plan
- Provide info to OC
Preserving a scene
Freeze, control, guard and preserve
Initial action to preserve a scene
- Identify
- Secure - scene guard, powers, remove people, crime scene logs
- Preserve - common approach path, record movements/action, in situ, stepping plates
- Consider - initial photographs of scene and persons
- Record - crime scene log, location of victim, sketch, video recordings
Purpose of scene guards and logs
- there is no unauthorised entry into the scene
- integrity of evidence or potential evidence is secured
- intelligence opportunities are maximised
- contamination issues are managed
Scene guard duties
- Secure scene
- Record details
- Control movements
- Record movements
- Brief others
- Avoid disturbance
- Protect scene
- Brief replacement
- Respect security
- Demonstrate courtesy
- Inform others
Initial questioning of witness
- What happened
- Where exaclty the incident happened
- When it happened
- Who was involved
- What the witness did
- Where the witness went
- What the witness touched
- Who touched the witness
- Who else was present
- Descriptions
- What did other people say/do
Forensic evidence from a witness
- DNA swabs where suspect may have touched
- DNA swabs of any blood
- Swabs of any relevant stains
- Forensic medical examination
- Seizure of clothing and footwear
- Seizure of other items
Forensic considerations for witnesses
Use different vehicles and rooms
Photograph at scene for future identification (CCTV)
Photograph any injuries
Obtaining key material from witnesses
- Obtain full details
- Assemble in a clear area
- Isolate from one another
- Identify and scoping interview
- Establish if any persons have left the area
- Witness made any phone calls from scene
- Record rego’s of nearby vehicles
- Seize any relevant CCTV
Procedure for suspects at scene
- Separate from other persons
- Consider condition of suspect
- Ask them to remain and cooperate
- Consider grounds to arrest
- Prevent cross contamination - use officers who have not been into scene
- Caution
- Consider searching person and vehicle
- Identify route of entry/exit
- Note suspect’s appearance and behaviour
- Record everything suspect says
- Interviewing should be on video
- Brief OC on arrival
Briefing OC
- What has occurred
- What action has been taken
- What has not been done
- What needs to be done
Initial action scene - before attending
- Appreciation
- Plan
- Obtain all available info
Initial action scene - enroute
- Look out for suspect
- Note and consider stopping any vehicles
- Prioritise tasks and assign duties
Initial action scene - on arrival
- Log arrival with comms
- Conduct risk assessment/appreciation
- Ensure safety
- Common approach path
- Record information
- Control people
- Gain control of scene
