Crime Scene Initial Action

Question 1

What four steps should the first responding unit take EN-ROUTE to a serious crime scene?

Answer 1

1. Obtain all information from Comms.
2. Discuss roles/responsibilities.
3. Plan approach (location & nature)
4. Inform Comms when 10-7.

Question 2

What ten steps should the first responding unit take UPON ARRIVAL at a serious crime scene?

Answer 2

1. Note/stop vehicles leaving.
2. Park in clear safe area.
3. Note 10-7 time, weather, anything else relevant.
4. Stop & take note of what’s happening & where.
5. SITREP
6. Maintain radio comms - provide SFP.
7. Approach scene with relevant equipment.
8. Locate informant & ID scene, victim, suspect.
9. ID any interference to the scene
10. Record/mark CAP to scene.

Question 3

What is your first responsibility and priority when attending a serious crime scene, after ensuring that the scene is safe for you to enter? (Irrespective of Initial Action Arrival Steps)

Answer 3

The safety of the victim and/or any other injured person at the scene.

Question 4

What are your three top priorities after ensuring that the scene is safe to enter?

Answer 4

1. Preserve life
2. Protect from further injury
3. Conduct & record brief prelim interview if possible.

Question 5

What are the seven steps you should take if, upon arrival to a serious crime scene, your victim has been injured (but still shows signs of life)?

Answer 5

1. Commence first aid/request ambulance.
2. Conduct prelim interview.
3. If likely to 1S, take statement (signed or not).
4. Treat victim as scene and do not move unnecessarily.
5. Take DNA swabs from skin if appropriate.
6. Record/photograph injuries.
7. If taken to hospital, accompany and record relevant details.

Question 6

What four steps should be taken when an injured victim is taken to hospital?

Answer 6

1. Record the victim’s current medical condition.
2. Preserve clothing.
3. Debrief relevant medical staff.
4. Update OC investigation.

Question 7

What are the seven steps you should take if, upon arrival to a serious crime scene, your victim shows no signs of life?

Answer 7

1. Attempt resuscitation/Call ambulance. Note position.
2. Obtain confirmation of life extinct (unless death obvs)
3. Establish ID.
4. Do not move. Record previous movements.
5. Record exhibits/position/lividity/injuries/clothing.
6. Sketch plan/photographs.
7. Give early update to OC investigation.

Question 8

What are the five steps you should take when dealing with suspects at a serious crime scene?

Answer 8

1. ID routes. Isolate and ask to remain (consider arrest).
2. Consider searching pursuant to S&S.
3. Note appearance, demeanor & condition.
4. Record any comments.
5. Consider prelim int, R2S ASAP.

Question 9

What are your initial action responsibilities with regard to scene control and security?

Answer 9

Control, Freeze, Guard, Preserve.

Question 10

What six things should you do when “controlling” the scene?

Answer 10

1. Remove all people and assemble in clear area.
2. Ask not to discuss incident/separate.
3. Keep warring factions apart.
4. Obtain all details & prelim ints.
5. Find out if anyone has left.
6. R2S for interview.

Question 11

What must be remembered with regard to dealing with witnesses from a serious crime scene, and removing them from the scene to a Police station for interview?

Answer 11

Unless they have been arrested for an offence, their consent and cooperation is required.

Question 12

What four things should you stop when “freezing” the scene?

Answer 12

1. All movement to/from scene.
2. All activity within scene.
3. Anything being touched/moved.
4. Interference with exhibits.

Question 13

If movements are required within any scene that is subject to “Freeze, Control, Preserve, Guard” what should you do?

Answer 13

Record all movements in and out of the scene.

Question 14

What action should be undertaken when “guarding” a scene?

Answer 14

Establish boundaries with tape and appoint guards with defined duties. Use reliable civilians if necessary, and establish safe arrival and assembly point.

Question 15

What are the 11 duties of a scene guard?

Answer 15

1. Secure scene.
2. Record details.
3. Control movements.
4. Record movements.
5. Brief others.
6. Avoid disturbance.
7. Protect scene.
8. Brief replacement.
9. Respect security.
10. Demonstrate courtesy.
11. Inform others.

Question 16

What is the “preservation” of a serious crime scene reliant upon?

Answer 16

Your reconnaissance and appreciation to ensure the scene is preserved for the formal scene examination. It must ensure that all the main areas of examination and any possible exhibits are protected.

Question 17

What are the four initial attendance steps of the first attending CIB member?

Answer 17

1. Gain information.
2. Ensure initial actions are attended to.
3. Conducting a reconnaissance.
4. Carrying out an appreciation and taking any immediate action.

Question 18

When attending a serious crime scene as the first CIB member, what two things should be done when gaining information?

Answer 18

1. Obtain thorough briefing from attending staff, including what has been done, what is being done and what is still required, including post-event history.
2. Speak to the victim/witnesses to clarify circumstances.

Question 19

What are the four initial action steps that the first attending CIB member should ensure are completed in relation to the Victim?

Answer 19

1. Assess risks on the information available.
2. Plan response/approach.
3. Preserve life.
4. Preliminary interview.

Question 20

What are the nine initial action steps that the first attending CIB member should ensure are completed in relation to the scene?

Answer 20

1. Set path in/out.
2. Clear
3. Boundaries
4. Guard
5. Control
6. Freeze
7. Preserve
8. Observe
9. Note and record

Question 21

What are the three initial action steps that the first attending CIB member should ensure are completed in relation to the witnesses?

Answer 21

1. Separate
2. Contain
3. Prelim interview.

Question 22

What are the six initial action steps that the first attending CIB member should ensure are completed in relation to the suspects?

Answer 22

1. Separate
2. Contain
3. Preliminary search
4. Note demeanour
5. Consider preliminary interview
6. Record comments

Question 23

When attending the scene of a serious crime as the first CIB member, aspects of the scene should you consider with regard to public and staff safety?

Answer 23

Any that may harm staff. This includes the presence of any offender or potential weapons as well as consideration of the scene itself, i.e. the presence of broken glass or steep banks/cliffs.

Question 24

What is the purpose of a reconnaissance?

Answer 24

Enables you to ensure all initial action has been completed, and that scene preservation and security are established. Also forms the basis of crime scene plan/strategy for scene examination.

Question 25

When making an appreciation as a CIB member attending a serious crime scene, which three sources do the factors that you will consider come from?

Answer 25

1. Information gained from attending staff/witnesses 2. The reconnaissance you have completed 3. Any other relevant considerations, e.g. weather, time of day, time of formal examination, likelihood of persons returning, likelihood of interference, legal aspects.

Question 26

When making an appreciation as a CIB member attending a serious crime scene, what are some examples of courses open that will become the basis of immediate action steps you take?

Answer 26

- You may determine scene boundaries are too wide and move them closer. - The scene guard may be in the wrong place so you move them. - An exhibit may need to be uplifted immediately due to a change in weather conditions.

Question 27

When attending the scene of a serious crime as the first CIB member, what nine things should you have ensured post appreciation and immediate action?

Answer 27

1. The scene is clear 2. Witnesses/Suspects R2S for interview 3. Scene boundaries are correct 4. Scene guards are briefed and placed correctly 5. All staff present are briefed on further duties 6. Register/Scene log is established 7. CAP established 8. All exhibits preserved/secured 9. Scene preserved/secured for formal examination

Question 28

When attending the scene of a serious crime as the first CIB member, upon the arrival of further CIB members, what four things should you advise them of?

Answer 28

1. The situation 2. What has been done 3. What is being done 4. What needs to be done immediately