Part 5 - Homicide and Serious Crime Victims Flashcards
The appointment of OC Body should be:
- An experienced investigator with awareness of forensic issues.
- If not possible, the OC Body may require additional support and mentoring.
- The appointment of ‘Scene Exhibits Officer’ specifically during the post-mortem, should also be considered
Responsibilities of OC Body
1 - Complete 1S Procedures
2 - Ensure Verification of death completed
3 - Arrange Formal ID Pol265A
4 - Maintain security and continuity - from the scene to the post mortem
5 - Secure and guard - with dignity and respect
6 - Note record observations relating to the body
7 - Record what actions have been taken in respect of the body
8 - Establish if the body has been moved or disturbed
9 - Ensure photographed in situ
10 - Arrange transport to the mortuary
11 - Attend the post mortem
12 - Ensure police photographer takes appropriate and sufficient photos
13 - Preserve, Record, label, secure all samples and exhibits from the body
14 - Attend debrief of the pathologist
Responsibilities of OC Investigations
- notify the coroner early of the death
- arrange the post-mortem examination, in consultation with the coroner
- consult the Pathologist before the post-mortem commences, regarding the relevance and benefit of conducting X-ray or CT/CAT scans of the body
Who determines whether the pathologist or Crown Solicitor will attend the scene to view the body in situ?
The OC Investigation
To gain an understanding and interpretation of the injuries.
Should the on-call pathologist not be able to attend the scene, it may be expeditious for the local pathologist to attend the scene.
Key areas of consideration when briefing experts or interested parties
- photographs and/or video recordings taken at the scene
- actions of the first responders
- identity of the body
- history of the body- including medical history, drugs found at the scene, action taken or developments since the discovery of the body
- timeframes relating to the finding of the body, the last sighting and other significant times that may impact upon time of death
- scope and priorities of the investigation
- any special evidential expectations and requirements
- environmental factors at the scene, i.e. weather conditions, ambient/historical temperature, nearby heating appliances, pollen influences
What factors should be considered in the appreciation of the removal of the body?
- Notification to and response from, the coroner
- Views of the pathologist, ESR, forensic scientist and Crown Solicitor attending the crime scene
- Consultation with other relevant experts
- Requirement for any examination or action needed before removal, based on known facts of the case
- Best method and route for the body removal, to minimise contamination of the scene or the body, for example by using sterile stepping plates
- Supervision of the body removal
- Chain of custody of the body from the scene to the mortuary
- Safe custody of exhibits
- Family and/or cultural considerations
It is not uncommon for movement of the body to have occurred during the initial stages of the Police and other emergency services response.
What action must Police take where the body has been disturbed at the scene?
Must know
- Establish what has been moved
- Do not touch anything
- Do not attempt to restore the scene to its original unchanged condition
- Make enquiries to enable the original unchanged scene to be subsequently reconstructed and photographed, if required
What action is to be taken when recording body details and removing a body from a scene?
1
Record the position of the body by sketch plan. Direct a Police photographer to take photographs. Consider video recording.
2
Consider marking and recording the position of the body before moving it
3
Record all details of the position of the body including:
- Position of the limbs.
- Appearance of the body.
- Wounds and clothing.
- Direction of any trails of blood present on the body.
- Lividity, if present
- Extent of any rigor mortis present
4
Consider what health risks may be presented by handling the body
5
Cover the hands, feet and head with paper bags, secured with tape to prevent any trace evidence being lost when the body is moved.
- Use wide tape to secure
Do not:
- Apply so tight as to create new marks
- Apply directly to skin
- Use rubber bands
- If limb is wet a plastic bag may be used
6
Ensure clothing on the body is not contaminated by contact with foreign objects.
7
Wrap body in plastic sheet and place in body bag
8
Carefully search underneath where body lay
9
Retain all sheets, bags etc as exhibits
What is the primary role of the OC Body during a post-mortem?
Must know
- To observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body, in a structured, methodical manner
- To consider each piece of information carefully to identify its significance for the investigation
What is the primary purpose of a post-mortem?
To establish the cause of death.
The pathologist’s findings will provide further information to drive the investigation which may include:
- determining the mode and time of death
- establishing how injuries or events at the scene may have contributed toward the death of the victim
- determining the nature and size of any weapon used
- determining the approximate height and stature of the suspect
- providing areas of interest for subsequent interviews of witnesses or suspects
- negating possible defences
- identifying the victim, if identity has not been established
Who should attend the post-mortem?
- the OC investigation
- the OC Body
- Police photographer
- exhibits officer, if required
- SOCO or fingerprint officer, if required.
Any doctor, nurse or funeral director attending are not permitted to assist with the post-mortem and must observe only.
Particular consideration should be given to seeking authority from the Coroner for the following parties to attend the post-mortem:
* ESR forensic scientist
* Crown Solicitor
Who is responsible for arranging formal ID of the body?
The OC Body is responsible for arranging formal identification of the body and for obtaining a statement of formal identification.
Identification will only take place at the direction of the OC Investigation.
If possible, this should occur before the post-mortem, however this may not always be possible
What information should be given to the person identifying the body?
Must know
Ensure they are fully informed of the formal id process and what is required of them
Explain what they should expect to see when they view the deceased, particularly after a post-mortem has taken place
Where the identity of a victim cannot be established due to mutilation or decomposition, what methods should be considered?
Must know
- fingerprints
- DNA profiling
- dental records
- eye examination records
- medical examination records
- surgical wounds, amputations and tattoos
- personal effects
- facial reconstruction
When skeletal remains are found, a pathologist can usually provide what information?
- Whether the remains are actually bones.
- Whether the bones are human.
- The age, gender, height and race of the person.
