Unit 3 - Scots Criminal Law: Police Powers and Principles of Evidence Flashcards
(111 cards)
Name some types of evidence you could find at a crime scene.
Contact evidence - fingerprints, DNA, Show impressions, hair and fibres, marks e.g. from tools, paint, glass.
How can we preserve evidence at a crime scene?
- double glove
- don’t touch anything unless you have to
- if you do touch or move anything make sure it’s noted and communicated to Crime Scene Manager or equivalent.
- Adverse weather: cover evidence using a box or a tent.
- Bag up clothing with each item given it’s own bag.
- Do not sit in any vehicle that needs to be examined.
- Do not put anything into marks/footprints etc
How can contamination impact a crime scene?
- It can stall the investigation - e.g. looking for the footprint of a Police Officer instead of a suspect.
- The investigation can fall apart e.g. suspect can say that the evidence came from a police officer in a scenario where they were with the victim and then went to the suspects home.
- The findings of any scientific examination can be rendered valueless.
What are the 3 steps for managing any crime scene?
Assess - Protect - Communicate (APC)
Assess - identify the crime scene e.g. where it is and how big it is. Priority is always to preserve life so check for any casualties. Observe details of the scene, remove any victim with minimal disturbance, manage routes in/out known as the Common Approach Path. Record all facts and report them to supervisor or SIO.
Protect - protect the scene against people and the elements. Cordons - think big as can always make it smaller if need be. The cordon should include the scene of the crime but also surrounding areas like possible entries/exits.
Communicate - asking questions, establishing facts, giving advice and assistance. Report situation to the control room. This will ensure you have the appropriate assistance. Notebook entry!
What should you note in your notebook if you are the first officer attending a crime scene?
Time (called to the scene and arrival time)
Persons present on your arrival.
Weather conditions.
Exact position of key pieces of evidence e.g. a body, a weapon etc.
Exact position of objects in and around the scene.
Signs of a struggle.
Location of keys.
Were doors and window open or closed, locked or broken.
Foot impressions.
Marks left by a vehicle.
Rough sketch of the crime scene.
Odours (cigarette smoke, perfume or aftershave)
Lights on or off.
Details of other responders e.g. paramedics, doctors. This allows us to eliminate their DNA, fingerprints etc from the enquiry.
Time of arrival or departure of personnel at a scene.
What information must be included in a Scene Entry Log?
DRMAN
Details of the officer keeping the log. Reason for entering crime scene. Movements/actions at crime scene. Arrival and departure time. Names of personnel attending at scene.
Name some examples of Health and Safety considerations at a crime scene.
- Electrical, structural and fire risks within buildings particularly Cannabis cultivations being identified.
- Incidents involving Chemical, Gas or Bio hazards.
- Body fluids, drugs and offensive weapons when searching persons or property.
- Dealing with violent individuals.
- Controlling large crowds, such as planned/unplanned protests, sporting events etc.
- Attending incidents relating to natural hazards such as open water.
- Operational activities during periods of severe weather.
Explain the guidance for obtaining descriptions of suspects from witnesses.
- Ensure the witness is willing to provide a statement (consider gender of Officer for certain offences e.g. rape).
- Be patient
- Do not prompt!
- Allow the witness to describe in their own way or words but check you understand.
- Obtain as much detail as possible.
- Start at the head and work your way down.
Age Build Clothing & Possessions Distinguishing features Elevation (height) Facial features Gait (how they walk) Hair Identify ethnicity Jewelry \+ Sex (gender)
State the areas you should pay particular attention to when noting details of a suspect.
Time - how long were they observed for?
Distance - from what distance?
Light - in what conditions? How was the visibility?
Previously seen - Has the accused been seen before? How long between observation and ID? Was the accused remembered for any particular reason?
Observation - was the observation clear or impeded e.g. a tree. Any discrepancies between the description and the appearance of the accused once traced.
What are the principles regarding identification of suspect(s) by a witness?
- Witness should be shown a sheet of 12 photographs, including the suspect’s photograph.
- The other photos should be of people of a similar age and appearance e.g. bald.
- The witness should be shown the sheet outwith the presence of any other witness. For this reason, you should pick your main witness.
- The witness should be left to make a selection without help or consultation with any other person.
- The photos should bear no marks to assist the witness pick the suspect’s photograph.
- If ID is made, there should be no confirmation whether it was or wasn’t the suspect chosen.
- In notebook, note date and time shown to witness, number of photo selected, statement from the witness whether positive or negative.
- Lodge as a production!
- “The individual that you witnessed may or may not be within the album”.
- If a witness makes a positive ID, another witness should not be shown the photos unless directed to do so by Procurator Fiscal.
- Usually, other witnesses would have a ID parade.
- Record of photos shown should be kept for court.
Other methods
- Electronic Facial Identification. Witness is interviewed and trained operator will produce an image based on very detailed descriptions.
- VIPER (Video Identification Parade Electronic Recording) - suspect recorded moving face from side to side under controlled conditions. 12 images initially of the suspect and others with similar appearance. The suspect/accused/solicitor can removed any 4 images, leaving a final 9 (including the suspect). They can also decide which order to put the photos. If showing to multiple witnesses, can change the order for each one.
- Traditional Identification Parade - for serious offences. Only if authorised by PF or Defence Agent.
Explain the provisions that might be made for identification by child witnesses.
- Video identification parade (VIPER) should always be the preferred method of ID of child witnesses or vulnerable witnesses. This removes the confrontational aspect of physically viewing the suspect.
- Don’t need to make a ‘dock identification’ anymore. Something which can be distressing.
- Instead, the Crown can submit a report to the court naming the person identified by the witness from an ID parade, or other identification procedure. This will be accepted unless challenged by the accused or their solicitor.
Define Evidence.
Evidence includes all legal means (exclusive of mere argument) which tends to prove or disprove the truth of the subject before the court.
Examples: eye witness statements, CCTV, DNA, fingerprints, admissions, forensic material.
What is meant by Onus of Proof?
- The prosecution must prove the guilt of the accused, BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT. The accused does not need to offer any explanation for their conduct.
- 3 types of verdict in Scots law = Guilty, Not Guilty and Not Proven (this is where they were unable to prove beyond reasonable doubt).
Explain the essentials required to prove the guilt of an accused.
CRIES:
Crime has been committed - before providing the accused has committed a crime, the prosecution has to prove a crime was committed.
Relevant charge to the crime - the charge made against the accused must relate to the criminal act committed.
Identification of the accused as the culprit - the accused must have been identified using corroborated evidence e.g. eye witness(s), forensic evidence, CCTV.
Evidence is competent/admissible - Police disclose all evidence to the court. The court decides what is competent and admissable.
Sufficient evidence to prove the case - there must be sufficient, admissible evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the crime libelled.
Explain the principle of corroboration.
- One piece of evidence is supported by another.
- Scots Law requires evidence from at least 2 separate sources to convict an accused.
- E.g. separate eye witness testimony, circumstantial evidence or physical articles of evidence (productions).
State the rule of best evidence.
The best evidence available must ALWAYS be led. The courts won’t allow evidence which by it’s very nature implies that better evidence is available. E.g. perishable evidence like fresh food - a printed receipt would be the best evidence as can’t bring in the perishable goods. Exception: authenticated copies of a document may be led even when the original exists.
What is documentary evidence?
- Documentary evidence - “Evidence of fact brought to the knowledge of the court by inspection of a document produced to the court” e.g. CCTV disc, notebook, screenshots of whatsapp, photos.
- Example: the court will normally accept that a substance is a certain drug if a certificate from 2 forensic scientists is produced.
What is hearsay evidence?
“Evidence at second hand given by a person who is merely repeating something said by another person”.
- Because of the rule of best evidence, hearsay is normally inadmissible.
- Exceptions:
Caution - statements made by the accused after caution.
Involuntary - exclamations made by person at the time of the incident e.g. “He’s got a knife”.
Death - statement made by a witness on their deathbed.
What is meant by a credible and competent witness?
Credible = “One whose evidence is held by the court to be trustworthy no matter how bad the character of the witness may be”. The PF will decide who is called as a witness but you can write in your Remarks section on the SPR if you have found them to be untrustworthy etc.
Competent = When the court decided to permit a person to give evidence this person is described as a competent witness. When a witness is cited they MUST attend to give evidence.
Police Officers are always Credible AND Competent witnesses.
What is the Common Law Caution and when should it be used?
“You are not obliged to say anything but anything you do say will be noted and may be used in evidence”.
This is said to a person:
- Prior to a search
- When someone is identified as a suspect
- Who is an arrested person or
- Prior to any questioning
Why? Advising them of their RIGHT to remain silent. Fairness. They must be asked if they understand. If not, try simpler terms, interpreter or appropriate adult. You must note any response to them understanding and thereafter. Check for understanding e.g. “What is your understanding of what I have said to you?” “What part did you not quite understand?”.
Only required when their is evidence to suggest that the person you are speaking with was involved. You might be speaking to someone that you had not initially suspected but then they say something incriminating. At that point, they should be cautioned straight away. Note what they said that led to the caution AND any further comments after.
Explain the term sufficiency of evidence.
To prove guilt of an accused, the evidence must be admissable (competent) BUT also there must be enough of it. There must be sufficient, admissible evidence to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that the accused committed the crime or offence libelled. This involves the principle of corroboration.
What is meant by best evidence in respect of two or more eye witnesses?
- An accused can be found guilty on the seperate testimony of two or more credible eye witnesses who saw the accused commit the crime.
- This kind of witness evidence is the BEST EVIDENCE and as such should be led first.
- The courts will not accept the testimony of a single eye witness, no matter how credible they are UNLESS there is further evidence by a second witness or enough circumstantial evidence.
- It is sufficient to convict based on 2 witnesses whom the court believes, regardless of how many other witnesses contradict them.
EXCEPTION: Road Traffic Offences. In some cases, only 1 witness is required.
Identify the corroborative evidence required to support the evidence of one eye witness.
Circumstantial evidence that amounts to another eye witness e.g. Man who murdered co-worker - umberella moved in his car, he had a motive (affair), tried to give himself an alibi, took way longer to get to his destination than should have etc, obsessive phone calls.
What is meant by circumstantial evidence?
Evidence provided by the facts or circumstances of the events which have an apparent relation to the crime and which can allow inference of guilt, or innocence, of the accused person.
Used for when there are none or only one witness.