SA Flashcards
(17 cards)
Police attending a serious crime incident must make an appreciation before taking decisions and prioritizing tasks. Good decisions are not a matter of luck or guess work; they are the outcome of a process of logical reasoning and careful consideration.
What is the definition of an Appreciation, in relation to Initial Action at a crime scene?
Appreciation is a proven method of problem solving. Process follows a series of steps to ensure the optimum course of action. It considers all factors and weighs the benefits and risks of all alternative solutions, allowing sound decisions to be made.
During a briefing to an area canvass team, there will be a number of key points delivered to the team. One of the most important points is “the appropriate instruction for staff who may speak to a witness who has information of probative value”.
What would the appropriate instructions be if this did occur?
Obtain a formal written statement, not a notebook one, Questionnaire must be endorsed if FWS not taken.
Prior to a criminal trial, a number of decisions need to be made in relation to exhibits.
What must be considered when deciding what exhibits are going to be produced?
- Which exhibits are considered relevant.
- Determine the significance of any forensic examinations
- Establish the appropriate manner in which the exhibits and examination results are presented at trial.
In a serious crime investigation, a Disclosure Manager is appointed.
What initial action should the Disclosure Manager take upon appointment?
Take ownership and responsibility for the following -
- File documentation
- Disclosure of file
- Communication with supervisors about issues of relevance and CHIS.
An Alibi may be put forward by a defendant concerning a matter in respect of criminal proceedings which has already commenced. When Alibi evidence is put forward at this point it places responsibility on the O/C suspects.
What is this responsibility?
- Make enquiries to determine the veracity of the alibi.
- Conduct enquiries as directed from OC investigation and Crown, including NIA checks.
- For results of enquiries to Crown, including statements obtained.
Upon the completion of the Area Canvas phase, the OC Area Canvass must submit a report to the OC investigation outline the circumstances of this particular aspect of the investigation.
What specific matters must the report contain?
- Summary of all action taken.
- Any significant findings highlighted.
- Attention drawn to an action that has been undertaken which is outside the original phase.
In a serious crime investigation, it may be necessary for a Police doctor to examine a suspect. As a matter of course the Doctor will take samples and note injuries on the suspect as part of this examination.
What other matters can the Doctor attend to?
- Swab hands for firearms residue using specialist firearms detection kit.
- Provide a professional opinion regarding the condition of the suspect.
- Record any explanation or comments made by the suspect about the offence or the cause of any injuries.
Although not all available experts will attend the scene, they may still be consulted or even asked to attend the post mortem. As such, it is important that the OC investigation and OC body seek to establish as much information as possible from the scene which can be transferred to the experts and/or interested parties. This will allow informed decisions to be made during the initial stages.
Name four key areas of information that needs to be gathered prior to meeting with the experts?
- 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
- any other additional information received from other experts, as appropriate.
When appointed, the Family Liaison Officer and OC Investigation should discuss the family liaison plan for working with the family. It is essential the FLO establishes the parameters of the role and is clear about the objectives they are being tasked to achieve.
In accordance with Part 6 of the Family liaison in homicide and serious crime investigation chapter in the Police Manual, what are four objectives the FLO must establish before meeting with the deceased’s family?
- liaise closely with the OC Investigation regarding parameters of information to be shared with and/or held back from the family
- familiarise themselves with the enquiry
- familiarise themselves with all information established concerning the family, including known family composition or dynamics, cultural and lifestyle considerations, religious beliefs and communication requirements, e.g. language or disability
- familiarise themselves with available information and intelligence which could impact on the liaison role, such as previous Police involvement with the victim or family
- establish what contact the family has had with Police since the incident/death
- establish what information has been given to the family
- establish what information concerning the incident is already in the public domain.
It is a cold winters night and you have been called to a park where there has been a report of a stabbing. The victims has been taken to the hospital and there is a knife sitting in the middle of a pool of blood. The weather report is for severe thunderstorms.
Identify and briefly discuss 2 factors you would consider with regard to dealing with the knife.
Factor is any circumstance or fact that could possibly have an effect of the manner in which you will achieve your desired outcome.
Further risks to life, location of possible suspect, resources available, evidence requiring preservation, the environment and weather conditions.
The knife, blood, weather, suspect location.
Police who arrive at a serious crime scene should identify, preserve and record the scene.
In relation to preserving the scene what actions should Police take upon arrival.
- Log arrival
- Conduct an Appreciation
- Ensure safety for yourself and others
- Establish a common approach path
- Record relevant information.
When attending a scene where a body has been disturbed, the Police must take a certain action.
Discuss what action you would take.
- Do not attempt to retore the scene to its original condition.
- Make enquiries to enable the original scene to be subsequently reconstructed and photographed if required.
Before a Post-Mortem examination, the OC investigation must fully brief the pathologist of the circumstances of the death and discuss the plan for the post-mortem. The OC body must attend this briefing and ensure the pathologist is aware of any specific things the investigation team requires during the post-mortem.
What two items the OC Body must supply to the pathologist prior to the post mortem examination pursuant to Part 5 of the Homicide and Serious Crime chapter?
- POL 47
- Medical records of deceased, where available
- Toxicology report
- MEK kit
- Comprehensive photos and recordings.
All decisions relating to the selection of the exhibits for forensic examination and prioritization are made at the Forensic Strategy Meeting.
What specific matters must the OC Exhibits determine regarding each of the exhibits after the Forensic Strategy Meeting?
Must record on the exhibits register, all the decisions taken about the types of examinations to be conducted and the priority allocated to the examination of each exhibit.
The OC Body has the responsibility to ensure that photographs of the body are taken at the mortuary.
Describe the instructions to be given to the photographer regarding the taking of the photographs of the body.
- the body, before it is stripped
- the body, after it is stripped
- close up photographs of any wounds, marks, internal injuries and unusual features. These photographs must include a measuring scale placed in proximity to the feature being photographed, to make a permanent record of the dimensions of the feature.
In a serious crime, surrounding areas are often canvassed for information etc. In these cases, an OC Area Canvass is appointed and has the responsibility of recording matters in a master recording of ongoing progress.
What matters should the OC Area Canvass record?
- which addresses have been visited,
- which occupants interviewed,
- the documentation completed,
- and any relevant comments made.
In some circumstances, a delay may occur between the initial report and Police arriving at the scene. During this time, evidence may be lost or contaminated. To reduce the risk, the complainant/informant may be asked to assist Police.
Name 3 task they could assist with prior to Police arrival?
- to return to the proximity of the scene, and guard it, if it is considered safe for them to do so
- not to enter the obvious boundaries of the scene
- not to touch or move anything
- to prevent others from entering or touching the scene
- to await Police arrival and identify themselves to the first Police at the scene.
