Serious Crime Flashcards
(15 cards)
What are the 2 key tasks of an investigation?
- Gather and preserve evidence
- Accurate and detailed documentation
The initial Police responders must assess the situation quickly yet carefully and decide what the most important things to do are and what order they should be done. Their primary functions are?
- Attend the scene at an early stage.
- Take control of the situation.
- Co-ordinate tasks.
Some incidents notified to Police are not initially identifiable as a homicide. Such instances include:
- Missing persons report (2M)
- Sudden death of an infant (1S)
- Hit and run vehcile collision (1V)
- Suicide (1X)
- Fatal fire (1F)
- Drug related deaths
What are the 2 main purposes for Police attending the scene of any death?
(1)Investigate thoroughly and (2) gather sufficient evidence to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death.
What is the first priority when conducting a risk assessment at the scene of a serious incident?
Ensure safety of the attending Police members.
The actions of the first responding Police have a critical effect on an investigation and on potential for gathering evidence. List the points in general investigation mode that should be applied in all cases?
VAWSEEPO
Victim - identify and locate victims.
Appreciation - make an initial appreciation of the incident. Assess personal risk and then preserve the lives of others
Witnesses - located and contain witnesses
Scene - preserve the scene (set boundaries)
Exhibits - note evidence and preserve any that would otherwise be lost or destroyed
Elements - have the elements of the offence beeb established?
Powers - identify what powers are available and consider whether to execute them
Offenders - Identify and apprehend suspects
Appreciation definition
A proven method of problem solving. The process follows a series of set steps to ensure 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. An appreciation is an ongoing process.
*Police attending a serious crime incident must make an appreciation before making decisions and prioritizing tasks.
What are the benefits of applying the appreciation technique?
- Informs all Police what they are expected to achieve.
- Increases the chances of success of the investigations and objectives.
- Manages risk.
- Eliminates duplication.
- Ensures nothing is overlooked.
Appreciating technique
- Aim - a short one-line statement with a clear and accurate objective.
- Factors - any circumstances or fact that could affect how you achieve your objective. *Ask, so what? And therefore. E.g resources (staff), risks, environment, suspects
- Courses open - all possible ways the aim could be achieved. Advantages/disadvantages and risks of each alternative. These questions must be asked:
- what are the possible results or consequences of each alternative?
- which alternative is the most appropriate to reach the objective? - Outline plan - a clear and concise plan to achieve you aim. Must be the logical outcome of the appreciation.
Initial police arrive at a stabbing victim. It is anticipated that they will die so you decide to take a statement. How can police satisfy that the statement is admissible?
Consider recording an immediate statement whether the victim can it or not. If the then victim dies, the statement may be admissible as hearsay evidence.
S18(1)(a) EA 2006 - Hearsay Statement admissibility rule the court must be satisfied that the content of the statement and the person who made the statement are reliable.
S16(1) EA 2006 - Hearsay Statement admissability circumstances to consider:
- The nature and contents of the statement
- Circumstances relating to the making of the statement
- Circumstances relating to the veracity of the person making the statement
- Circumstances relating to the accuracy of the observation of the person making the statement
What is the first thing to consider when undertaking a course of action at a serious crime scene?
What risks may exist
What action should police take when the body is disturbed at the scene?
It is not uncommon for movement of the body to have occurred during the initial stages of the police and other emergency services response.
- establish what has been moved
- do not touch anything
- do not attempt to restore the scene to its original condition
- make enquiries to enable original scene to be reconstructed and photographed (if required)
What action must police staff at the scene of a serious crime take if the media are present?
Locate media.
Advise OC investigation that media are at location.
Keep media away from the crime scene.
Do not make any comment to the media.
You are the first at the scene of a homicide and you are advised that the suspect is still present. What should be your first priority in relation to the suspect?
The identification, apprehension and isolation of the suspect. Consider your powers under S&S 2012
Explain the common approach path
The common approach path should avoid any route possibly used by the suspect or victim. It should be considered for all movements in and out of the scene to avoid damaging or losing potential evidence. Consider using stepping plates if no alternative path can be used.
