Initial Action

Question 1

The first Police arriving at the scene of a serious crime are responsible for?

Answer 1

All police action until they are relieved by a supervisor, CIB staff or the O/C Investigation.

Question 2

The primary functions of initial police responders include?

Answer 2

Attending the scene at an early stage, taking control of the situation and co-ordinating tasks

Question 3

What are the health and safety duties of all Police employees?

Answer 3

Maximise safety and Minimise Risk- a key enabler of this is TENR.

Question 4

The expectation of the Commissioner and health and safety at work act 2015 is?

Answer 4

That people in the workplace will take reasonable care to ensure that their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other people.

Question 5

Some incidents notified to the police are not initially identifiable as a homicide. Such instances may include?

Answer 5

• Report of a missing person
• sudden unexplained death of an infant
• unexplained death
• report of an abduction
• crime scene without a body present
• hit and run, vehicular collision
• suicide
• fatal fire
• drug related deaths

Question 6

What investigation model should first responding Police apply when attending a serious crime scene?

Answer 6

VAWSEIPO
Victim-identify and locate the victim/s
Appreciation- make an initial appreciation of the incident
Witnesses- locate and contain witnesses
Scene- Preserve the scene-FREEZE CONTROL GUARD PRESERVE
Exhibits- Note and preserve evidence
Ingredients- whether ingredients of offence established
Powers- What powers are available and whether to execute them
Offenders- Identify and apprehend suspect/s

Question 7

Identify the basic principles underpinning all serious crime investigations

Answer 7

1. Appreciation Process
2. Preserve Life- Preserve Scene
3. Identify & apprehend suspects- secure evidence- identify victim/s

Question 8

Where practicable, what Word document should be implemented by police responding to crucial initial stages of an investigation?

Answer 8

Initial Action checklist

Question 9

What is the definition of an appreciation?

Answer 9

A proven method of problem solving. The process follows a series of set steps to ensure an optimum course of action is decided on. An appreciation is ongoing.

Question 10

What are the key benefits of applying the appreciation technique?

Answer 10

• Increases the chances of success
• Establishes a sequence of activities to be carried out
• Manages Risk
• Reduces uncertainty
• Eliminates duplication
• Ensures nothing is overlooked
• uses resources effectively

Question 11

To conduct an appreciation what steps should be followed?

Answer 11

1. Aim- a short one line statement
2. Factor- any circumstance or fact that could possibly affect how you will achieve desired outcome
3. Courses Open- list of possible ways the aim could be achieved (after deductions made from factors)
4. Plan- a proposed course of action

Question 12

No matter the circumstances of a death, Polices purpose is always to?

Answer 12

Investigate throughly and gather sufficient evidence to explain the circumstances of the death.

Question 13

The person reporting an incident is a critical witness in an investigation. Every effort should be made to obtain?

Answer 13

• Identity and location of the suspect
• a first hand account of what the complainant knows
• precise details of the location of the scene
• circumstances leading to the discovery
• identity of the victim
• details of anyone else at the scene
• their full contact details
• their demeanour
• their relationship to the victim and or the suspect
• details of the action the complainant took and where they have been?
• Details of any hazards or safety issues

Question 14

If there is a delay between initial report and Police attending a scene, evidence may be lost or contaminated. To reduce the risk, the complainant/ informant may be asked to?

Answer 14

• return to the proximity of the scene and guard if safe to do so
• not to enter the obvious boundaries of the scene
• not to touch or move anything
• prevent others from entering or touching the scene
• await Police arrival and identify themselves to Police

Question 15

Once at the scene it is imperative Police responders ensure?

Answer 15

Their own safety, the safety of other responders and that of others present at the scene

Question 16

Before initial action can be safely undertaken what must be conducted?

Answer 16

An appreciation on known information

• to dictate how, why and in what form initial action should be taken
• Subject to the appreciation a reconnaissance should be conducted to establish who is present at the scene (injured people, hidden offender)

Question 17

What is the first priority when attending as first responders?

Answer 17

Ensure the safety of the attending police member/s

Question 18

Having ensured the safety of those present, the next priority is?

Answer 18

To establish the physical location of the victim and their medical status

Question 19

The medical status of a victim falls into 3 categories, what are these?

Answer 19

• Alive and uninjured
• Alive but injured
• shows no sign of life

Question 20

If victim is alive and uninjured you should?

Answer 20

Proceed to preserving the scene

Question 21

If the victim is alive but injured you should?

Answer 21

• Call an ambulance and consider CPR if appropriate
• Record body position and any movements
• details of any attending medical staff
• If practicable a detective should accompany a victim to hospital otherwise without delay

Question 22

On arrival at the hospital, what steps should the detective follow?

Answer 22

1. Obtain medical opinion about the victim’s current medical condition
2. Seize the victims clothing and other possessions
3. Establish victims id
4. Obtain a pre-transfusion blood sample (Police Toxicology Kit)
5. Seize any discarded bandages, and not position where bandages were
6. Arrange firearms residue samples (cases suspected to be firearms incident)
7. Note and photograph any injuries
8. Arrange DNA swabs to be taken from victims skin
9. Obtain details or any or all people who visit or contact the victim
10. Conduct a scoping interview using TEDS questions
11. Conduct a preliminary interview with ambulance and emergency staff who treated the victim

Question 23

If it is anticipated the victim may die, consider recording an immediate statement. If the victim dies, is this statement admissible in proceedings?

Answer 23

Yes. As hearsay evidence, under section 18(1) of the Evidence Act 2006.

Question 24

If a victim dies and their statement is to be considered admissible evidence what must the court satisfy?

Answer 24

That both the content of the statement and the person who made it are reliable. Police taking the statement must therefore record any factors demonstrating the reliability.

Question 25

The circumstances to consider under section 16(1) of the evidence act 2006, include?

Answer 25

- the nature of the statement - the contents of the statement - the circumstances relating to the making of the statement - circumstances relating to veracity of the person and the accuracy of the observation of the person

Question 26

If the victim shows no sign of life it is Police responsibility to?

Answer 26

- Preserve life, we must never assume a person is dead unless no other conclusion is possible. - The victim should not be moved any more than necessary - the original position should be recorded

Question 27

What steps should be followed when you discover a body?

Answer 27

1. Consider calling an ambulance & CPR 2. Remain with the body until CIB or supervisor relieves you 3. Arrange a doctor to pronounce life extinct 4. Treat the victim as a scene 5. Instruct medical staff to leave clothing on 6. If medical treatment required, request things such as bandages, tubes etc. are left in situ 7. Conduct scoping interviews with medical staff 8. Ascertain if the victim spoke to anyone before death (what was said) 9. Record body position and obvious injuries and clothing 10. Objectively record everything, sight, sound, smell 11. Record all exhibits 12. Sketch a plan including body position and position of exhibits

Question 28

Police arriving first at a scene should follow what steps to preserve the scene?

Answer 28

1. Identify- Gather information, Establish crime scene, Consider Common Approach Path 2. Secure- s&s 2012, Remove all people, prevent further loss or damage of evidence, prevent unauthorised person exiting or entering scene 3. Preserve- Consider best path into the scene, record any movement or actions in scene 4. Consider- Initial photographs of scene and people present 5. Record- Notes, sketches, photograph/ video recording

Question 29

What s&s power do Police have to secure a scene?

Answer 29

S116

Question 30

A scene log is used to ensure?

Answer 30

- there is no unauthorised entry into a scene - integrity of evidence or potential evidence is secured - intelligence opportunities are maximised - contamination issues are managed

Question 31

What are the duties of a scene guard?

Answer 31

- Secure scene - Record Details - control movement - Record movement - Brief others - avoid disturbances - Protect Scene - Brief replacement - Respect Security - Demonstrate Courtesy

Question 32

Initial questioning of a witness should be directed towards?

Answer 32

Obtaining a brief account of what the person witnessed.

Question 33

As a minimum what points should be established when initially questioning a witness?

Answer 33

using TEDS questions - what happened - where exactly the incident happened - When it happened - Who was involved - What the witness did - Where the witness went, what they touched and who touched the witness - Who else was present?, description of those present - What did those other people present, say or do?

Question 34

What else should Police consider obtaining from a witness at a scene?

Answer 34

Forensic evidence - Evidence may have been transferred to the witness from the victim, suspect or scene itself - Recover all available evidence from the witness

Question 35

The plan to preserve and recover evidence from a forensically important witness should consider what issues?

Answer 35

- immediate DNA swabs on areas suspect may have touched - immediate DNA swabs of any blood present on witness - Forensic medical examination, fingernail scrapings, hair combing etc. - seizing clothing and foot wear - seizing any items of property touched by suspect

Question 36

Where possible with witnesses consider these points?

Answer 36

- avoid cross contamination (use different vehicles and rooms) - photograph witnesses at the scene - photograph any injuries suffered by witnesses

Question 37

What steps should be followed to ensure key material is obtained from witnesses?

Answer 37

1. Obtain full details 2. Assemble in clear area 3. isolate witnesses from one another 4. Conduct brief scope questioning- using TEDS 5. Establish whether any people have left already? 6. If witness made call from scene, establish numbers-this may establish timings 7. Record regos of nearby vehicles 8. seize any CCTV

Question 38

In relation to suspects of homicide or serious crime, what is the priority?

Answer 38

The identification, Apprehension and Isolation of the suspect

Question 39

What are the procedures for suspects that have been identified at the scene?

Answer 39

1. Seperate the suspect from other people at the scene 2. Consider the condition of the suspect 3. Ask them to remain at the scene and to co-operate with Police 4. If the suspect refuses to co-operate, consider grounds to arrest them 5. To prevent cross contamination issues, consider using officers who have not attended scene to manage the suspect 6. If the suspect is arrested or detained- caution 7. Consider searching suspect, suspects vehicle and belongings 8. Consider searching the vicinity of the suspect or route they have taken 9. Note suspects appearance and behaviour 10. Record everything the suspect says 11. Interviews should be recorded on DVD

Question 40

Before leaving the scene you should?

Answer 40

Co-ordinate with others- provide sit reps to comms and CIB members attending the scene

Question 41

When crime scenes involve Maori as a victim, witness or offender, all Police must;

Answer 41

Be prepared to carry out their scene duties in a manner that demonstrates respect for the beliefs and values that stem from Maori culture

Question 42

At the crime scene, members of the family may want to stay within or be involved at the crime scene, can this be permitted?

Answer 42

Yes. Only after consultation with with the O/C investigation

Question 43

Maori believe blood is sacred. Before cleaning and releasing the scene what should be considered?

Answer 43

- Advising the family that the scene examination has been completed and whether or not blood remains at the scene? - allow family to have input into the cleaning of blood from a scene - If family wishes to clean scene, provide the necessary equipment

Question 44

Other things to consider when dealing with maori victims, witness, offenders?

Answer 44

Deceased victim prayer, early release of the body, Consultation with family/whanau ( Iwi liaison officer)

Question 45

Where can 'A practical reference to religious diversity' be found?

Answer 45

On the Police intranet. It helps build knowledge if the beliefs and behaviours of different ethnic and religious groups.