Crime Scene Initial Action and Examination

Question 1

Responding to injured victim responsibilities

Answer 1

• First aid and ambulance
• Preliminary interview
• Dying statement
• Treat victim as scene
• DNA swabs from skin
• Record and photograph injuries
• Accompany the victim, preserve clothing, ascertain condition

Question 2

Responding to dead victim responsibilities

Answer 2

• Call Ambulance and CPR if appropriate
• Get confirmation of life extinct
• Update to OC and Comms
• Do not move the body, record previous movements
• Record everything - exhibits, PAWDLE
• Sketch / Photos
• Establish persons (victim) ID

Question 3

If suspect is present responsibilities

Answer 3

• Identify route used by suspect to arrive/leave
• Isolate and ask to remain
• Consider k9 or caution
• Consider SandS search
• Take note of suspects appearance, demeanour and condition
• Record comments
• Prelim interview and return to station

Question 4

Scene Control responsibilities

Answer 4

Remove everyone from scene, make sure they don’t take anything or contaminate the scene
Separate and warn them not to discuss what has happened
Keep rivals apart
Obtain details and conduct prelim interviews
Find out who has left

Question 5

Freezing the Scene responsibilities

Answer 5

Stop all movement to and from scene
Stop all activity within the contained area, eg remove animals
Ensure nothing is touched or moved
Protect all exhibits 
Maintain a scene log of movements

Question 6

Guarding the scene responsibilities

3 x things

Answer 6

Set up boundaries with police tape
Appoint scene guards and define duties
Establish a safe arrival and assembly point

Question 7

Scene Guard Responsibilities

Answer 7

• Secure scene and deny unauthorised entry
• Record details of persons entering the scene
• Control movements - common approach path
• Record activity near scene - vehicles etc
• Protect scene, be aware of animals
• Inform OC of any actions taken
• Avoid disturbance - don’t personally enter the scene
• Do not discuss anything with media or bystanders
• Be courteous with members of the public
• Brief replacement

Question 8

Define Preserve

Answer 8

The preservation of the scene will be reliant on your reconnaissance and appreciation to ensure the scene is preserved for the formal scene examination.

Question 8

Initial CIB attendance four step process is…

GEAR

Answer 8

Gain information
Ensure initial actions are attended to
Conduct a RECONNAISSANCE
Carry out an APPRECIATION

Question 10

CIB immediate action

before leaving the scene ensure that…

Answer 10

Scene has been cleared of people
Scene boundaries are correct, better too wide than too narrow
Common approach path in and out to avoid contamination
Scene guards briefed and placed correctly
Register or scene log created recording details of people entering scene
Exhibits are preserved or secured
Scene preserved and secured for formal scene examination

Question 10

Crime Scene Examination Objectives is to:

OBJECTIVES

Answer 10

OBJECTIVES

Offence - establish if an offence has been committed
Backup - corroborate or exclude other evidence relating to the offence
J.
Exclude possible defences
Corroborate or contest witness and victim accounts
The innocent to be exonerated
Identify people associated with the offence
Verify confessions and admissions
Establish the offences key elements and provide facts for the basis of an inquiry
Suspect - establish identity and establish contact with victim or scene

Question 11

O/C Scene Responsibility is to:

COPSLECTURES

Answer 11

C - control/freeze/preserve scene
O - oversee/co-ordinate scene examination
P - proving relevant exhibits in court
S - staff briefed
L - link to O/C investigation
E - ensure photos/fingerprints done before search
C - CAP common approach path setup
T - test reconstruction
U - uplift & transport exhibits to O/c exhibits
R - reconnaissance
E - examination planning strategy 
S - safety of scene

Question 12

Define reconnaissance?

Purpose of reconnaissance?

Answer 12

A reconnaissance is the preliminary inspection or survey made to get an overall picture of the scene without disturbing the evidence.

• preliminary reconstruction
• an appreciation
• a plan of action

Question 14

Appreciation Factors

THE FACTORS

Answer 14

THE FACTORS

Type and size of area
Hot warm and cold zone places
Equipment, communication, transport and specialists

Find out search powers - warrant?
A plan for protecting scene from weather
Contamination risks
The logistics such as meals and accom
Offence - seriousness
Remember to prioritise the scene
Staff availability and staff safety

Question 14

Appreciation

Answer 14

Aim
Factors
Courses open
Plan

Commanders intent and constraints

To……

Question 15

The plan

Answer 15

Placement of zones
Protect against contamination
The starting place
Systematic search
Likelihood of evidence deteriorating
Any specialists required
Tasking staff
Exhibit handling
Recording system to be used

Question 16

Minimise Contamination by:

Answer 16

Preserve and control scene
Use stepping plates and decontamination model
Use protective clothing, face mask, double gloves
Use new clean packaging materials
Correctly record label and package exhibits
Obtain elimination footprints, fingerprints and dna swabs from anyone who could have contaminated the scene
Avoid examining associated scenes, use different staff for suspect and victim
Keep accurate exhibit records
Keep accurate scene movements log

Question 17

Actions prior to attending the scene

Answer 17

Any legal requirements, search warrants etc
Additional OCs appointed
Have got the necessary equipment
Roadblocks and cordons set up
Sufficient staff members
Specialists contacted
Staff have been briefed