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Serious Crime Investigation > Victims > Flashcards

Victims Flashcards

1
Q

Value of the Victim

A

The Victim is one of the three key elements of a homicide, together with the suspect, and the location.

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2
Q

Responsibilities of the OC Body

A
  1. Ensure death has been certified by a DR or a qualified paramedic using a Deceased Person Certificate (POL 265)
  2. Maintain security and continuity of the body, samples and exhibits, from the scene to the commencement of the post- mortem examination.
  3. Note and record observation relating to the body
  4. Note details of medical staff or others who have attended the Victim.
  5. Record what actions have been taken by any party in respect of the body
  6. Establish if the body has been moved or disturbed.
  7. Ensure the body is photographed ‘in situ’ and consider using video recording
  8. On authority of the OC Investigation, arrange transportation of the body to the mortuary.
  9. Complete sudden death procedures
  10. On authority of O/C investigation, arrange formal identification of the body using POL 265A
  11. Obtain historical medical records of Victim for pathologist.
  12. Attend the post- Mortem examination with the OC Investigation, or deputy appointed by them, and
    * attend the briefing of the pathologist by the OC investigation, and contribute as required.
    * ensure the Police photographer takes appropriate and sufficient photographs of the body before clothing is removed, again after the body is disrobed, and during the post- mortem examination. the pathologist will direct the photographer.
    *Preserve evidence from the body
    * Record, label and secure all samples and exhibits associated with the body.
    *Arrange for fingerprints and palm prints to be taken if required.
  13. Attends the debrief of the pathologist and record the findings, on direction of the OC and/ or pathologist.
  14. Ensure all cultural responsibilities have been addressed.
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3
Q

The OC Investigation responsibility is to:

A
  • 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 relevant and benefit of conducted X ray or CT scan of the body
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4
Q

When briefing an Expert and other interested Parties, the key area for consideration are:

A
  • 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, or developments since the discovery of the body
  • Time frames relating to the finding of the body, the last sighting and other significant times that may impact upon time of death.
  • 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.
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5
Q

Appreciation to be made prior to body removal

A
  • 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 body removal to minimise contamination of the scene or the body, eg. 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.
  • Record the Standing Operating Procedures for what and how items of protective clothing (e.g gloves and paper suits) must be used in relation to the scene and the body.
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6
Q

Preparing for Removal of the body

A
  1. Record the position of the body by sketch plan and direct a Police photographer to take photographs. Consider video recording or other imaging techniques.
  2. In consideration with the Crime Scene Coordinator and/ or OC Scene, consider marking and recording the position of the body before moving it, for example by measuring the distance from at least two nearby fixed features.
  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 (coloration of skin due to gravitational movement of blood)
    -Extent of any rigormotis present.
  4. Consider what health risks may be presented by handling the body.
  5. Cover the hands, head, and feet with paper bags, with a wide tape to prevent any trace evidence being lost. Tape so that it is secure but not so tight as to leave new marks on the body.
  6. Ensure clothing on the body is not contaminated by contact with foreign objects
  7. Wrap the body in a plastic sheet and place it in a body bag.
  8. Carefully search underneath where the body lay.
  9. Retain, as exhibits, all sheets, bags or materials used to transport the body.
  10. Obtain approval fro the OC Investigation to remove the body from the scene.
  11. When directed by the OC Investigation, arrange a contracted undertaker to remove the body to the mortuary, Ensure you are able to account for the security and continuity of the body as an exhibit at all times, until the pathologist commences the postmortem examination. Ensure the undertaker uses a body bag which is sterile.
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7
Q

What is the primary role of the OC body during a postmortem?

A

Is to observe, document, and deal with exhibits associated with the body in a structured, methodical manner.

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8
Q

What is the purpose of a postmortem

A
  • Determining where possible, the mode and time of death
  • Establishing how injuries and/ or events at the scene may have contributed toward the death of the victim.
  • Determining the nature, and size of any weapons used
  • Determining the approximate height and stature of the suspect
  • Providing areas of interest for subsequent interviews of witnesses and/ or suspects
  • Negating possible defences.
  • Identifying the Victim, if identity has not been established.
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9
Q

Who may attend a Postmortem?

A
  • The Pathologist
  • The Coroner
  • Any other Pathologist assisting (if authorised by the Coroner)
  • A doctor who treated the deceased
  • A doctor, nurse or funeral director representing the deceased (if authorised by the Coroner.)
  • A doctor representing the interests of the suspect who has or may be charges in relation to the death (if authorised by the Coroner)
  • Any other doctor or trainee doctor (If authorised by the Coroner)
  • Police
  • Any other person
    authorised by the Coroner.
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10
Q

What Police members should attend the Postmortem?

A
  • The OC Investigation
  • The OC Body
  • A member specifically designated as exhibits officer for postmortem, if required.
  • Police Photographer
  • SOCO of fingerprint officer if required.
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11
Q

Particular consideration should be given to seek authority for the following parties to attend the Postmortem:

A
  • ESR Forensic Scientist
  • Crown Solicitor.
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12
Q

What Experts may be considered to be in attendance at the postmortem?

A
  • Odontologist
    -Biologist
    -Medical Illustrator
    -Toxicologist
    -Ballistics expert
  • Crime Scene Examiner
    -Entomologist
    -Anthropologist
    -Disaster Victim Identification.
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13
Q

What should the OC Body ensure they have when attending the Postmortem?

A

MEK examination kit

Toxicology kit

Body label

A notebook and pens for use solely during the post-mortem

A Scene Exhibit Schedule form - a template is included in the Serious Crime Template

Copy of completed Pol 47
Pol 265 Deceased Person Certificate

Pol 265A Deceased Person Identification

Exhibit packaging supplies including envelopes, tape, exhibit labels and numerous paper exhibit sacks of various sizes

Protective clothing i.e. paper suit, gloves and carbon filter masks

Photographs from the scene, if available, showing the body ‘in situ’

A range of available exhibit numbers for the post-mortem, obtained from the OC Exhibits

Pre-printed exhibit labels bearing the allocated exhibits numbers, if available

Roll of brown paper, for placing layers between folds of any bloodstained clothing

Firearms residue kit, if relevant.

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14
Q

On Arrival at the mortuary, the OC Body must:

A

1 Ensure mortuary staff do not wash the body.

2 Ensure the body is labelled and secured in the secure mortuary fridge.

3 Retain any key used to secure the body, until it is required for the postmortem.

4 Ensure the body remains in its present condition until the commencement of the postmortem.

5 Arrange formal identification of the body.

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15
Q

*** What methods should be considered to identify the body? (If decomposed/ mutilated)

A

Fingerprints

DNA profiling (identification results take 3-4 weeks or 48 hours for urgent analysis)

Dental records, available through the Region Forensic Dentistry Advisor

Eye examination records

Medical examination records, including scars, birth marks, implants or prosthetics, x-rays, surgical wounds, amputations and tattoos

Personal effects

Facial reconstruction

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16
Q

What information can be provided by skeletal remains

A

Whether the remains are actually bones.

Whether the bones are human.

The age, gender, height and race of the person.

17
Q

Who and what is covered in the briefing to the Pathologist?

A

The OC Investigation or 2IC, will fully brief the pathologist of the circumstances of the death and outline the plan for the post-mortem.

The OC Body will attend this briefing and ensure they are aware of any specific samples the OC Investigation requires to be taken during the post-mortem.

The pathologist must be supplied with relevant information and material, i.e.

  • Copy of the Notification to the Coroner (Pol 47).
  • Medical Examination (MEK) kit.
  • Toxicology kit.
  • Medical records of the deceased, where available.
  • Comprehensive photographs and/or video recordings taken at the scene. These should include photographs of exhibits, weapons and the body ‘in situ’, which will benefit the briefing for the post-mortem, as well as the subsequent examination.
18
Q

What is the ruling on taking notes concerning the postmortem?

A

The OC Body must not make any notes of discussions concerning the postmortem examination, unless specifically directed to by the OC Investigation and/or the pathologist.

19
Q

** How is a Body to be Stripped

A
  1. The body must only be stripped in the presence of the pathologist.
  2. Remove the body from the secure mortuary fridge and assist mortuary staff to take the body into the postmortem examination room.
  3. Remove the body from the body bag, carefully.
  4. Seize the body bag and any sheets or wrappings used to transport the body, as exhibits.
  5. If necessary, direct the Police photographer to take additional photographs to ensure that appropriate and sufficient photographs of the body are taken before clothing is removed, and again after the body is disrobed. The pathologist will lead direction of the photographer.
  6. Remove items of clothing from the body.
  • Search clothing pockets and make an inventory of each of the pocket contents.
  1. Make an inventory of clothing and possessions, as each item is removed.
  2. Label each item of clothing and each possession.
  3. Seal each item in a separate paper bag or container.
  4. Ensure exhibits do not cross-contaminate each other by coming into contact with one other.
  5. Maintain security and continuity of the body and exhibits taken from the body, until the postmortem examination commences.
  6. In cases involving obvious head trauma, before blood and debris is washed from the body, particularly the head hair, consider placing a fine sieve in the mortuary table drain hole to collect trace evidence that may have been transferred from a weapon, for later comparison with exhibits the suspect(s) have had access to.
20
Q

Photographing the Body

A

In addition to photographs taken at the scene, the OC Body must ensure the photographer at the mortuary takes sufficient appropriate photographs of:

  • 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.
21
Q

OC Body responsibilities re. exhibits

A

The OC Body is responsible for recording, labelling, packaging, sealing and securing all physical exhibits relating to the body, including samples taken during the postmortem.

All exhibits must be packaged and sealed before leaving the mortuary, without exception and will be recorded in a Scene Exhibits Schedule.

22
Q

*** What action needs to be taken after the postmortem

A

The OC Body must hand all exhibits to the OC Exhibits, in order to maintain an unbroken chain of custody. They should also provide the OC Exhibits with:

  • The postmortem Scene Exhibit Schedule
  • OC Body’s notebook entries
  • OC Body’s Formal statement.
23
Q

Who prepared the sudden death file?

A

The OC Body must prepare the Sudden Death (1S) file and submit as soon as possible. The file must include:

  • Statement of victim’s formal identification
  • Copy of the Police form 47 (report for the coroner) or, in the case of a child under the age of 2 years, a Police form 47A (Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy)
  • Copy of Deceased Person Certificate (Police form 265)
  • Copy of Deceased Person Identification (Police form 265A).
24
Q

Why would a second postmortem be directed by the Coroner?

A
  • The pathologist is unable to determine cause of death in the initial postmortem
  • A suspect’s lawyer seeks approval from the Coroner to conduct an independent postmortem
  • The Solicitor General orders a further postmortem, after an application to the High Court.
25
Q

Who is responsible for release of the body following the post mortem?

A

It is the responsibility of the OC Investigation to confirm the post-mortem process is concluded and that the body is no longer required. Without undue delay, the Coroner must be requested to make an order to release the body to the next of kin.

26
Q

*** Victims medical statuses

A
  • Alive and uninjured
  • Alive but injured
  • Shows no signs of life

Serious Crime Investigation (9 decks)

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