What are the OC suspects responsibilities?
- Obtaining information about suspects and person of interest, as they are identified by the OC investigation
- Thoroughly profiling and investigating all suspects and persons of interest to enable the OC investigation to establish their involvement in the offence or eliminate them from the inquiry
- Seeking evidence to cover all ingredients of the offence
- Mitigating and dealing with possible defences that may be raised, where appropriate
- Providing a basis for further investigation
Four matter to cover from OC suspects in briefing the suspects team
- The circumstances of the offence including any analysis of the scene and witness evidence available
- The full details of all persons of interest and any suspect, where the identity of suspects are known
- Details of any descriptions of the suspects provided by witnesses (a schedule of descriptions may be prepared to assist)
- Whether any particular MO / crime signatures have been identified
The OC suspect must investigate all suspects thoroughly in order of priority as decided in consultation with the OC investigation. What particular matters may influence the setting priorities?
- Weight of evidence against a person or the likelihood of their leaving the area. You may also be influenced by a particular urgency in solving the case or the availability of staff
- Where there are no firm lines of susepct enquiry, priority should be given to anonymous information, especially during the early stages of the investigation. Information concerning the susepcts identity must be acted on immediately.
During the suspects phase of an investigation it is important for the OC suspects to reguarly debrief their team members. What general matter should be covered during the debriefs?
The enquiries that have been conducted so they can maintain a constant flow of information between members of the suspect team of the rest of the investigation team .
As OC suspect, what should you record when you observe injuries on the suspect.
You must record any explantions or comments made by the suspect about the offence or the cause of the injuries. Photographs of the suspect and any relevant marks or injuries must be taken.
During an investigation into multiple suspects for a serious offence, what step can investigators take to mitigate or eliminate the possibility of forensic cross contamination between the suspects?
- An appreciation must be made regarding which staff are assigned to seize clothing from suspects. It is vitally important involved are fully aware of cross contamination issues and where possbile, seperate officer should be assigned to each suspect.
- Suspects must be kept apart including travel in vehicles and when in cells.
- All clothing should be packaged, labelled, and sealed in accordance with standard procedures before transfer to OC exhibits.
In serious crime, a doctor may examine a suspect. The OC suspects will arrange, in consultation with the OC investigation, for a Police doctor to examine the suspect. The doctor must:
- Note any injuries, such as scrathes or bruises
- Take samples as necessary by the OC investigation using a specialist Medical Examination Kit, including
Blood
Saliva
Head hair
pubic and body hair (if relevant)
Fingernail scrapings
Swabs of the suspects hands or other relevant areas - Swabs the suspects hands for firearms residue using a speacialist Firearms Detection Kit, as soon as possible where a firearm has been involved in an offence. Such residue may persist on the hands or clothing of a suspect for up to three hours. Refer to Police Manual chapter ‘Firearm Discharge Residues’
- Provide a pofessional opinion regarding the condition of the suspect
Interviewing a suspect the OC suspect must ensure the interviewer?
-The interivew is conducted in accordance with the investigative interviewing suspect guide.
- The interview is monitored by a supervisor or experienced detective to ensure that all key points are covered.
- Ensure an explanation is sought from the susepct in relation to any exhibits found.
What responsibilities does the OC suspect have when an alibi is put forward by an offender concerning a matter in respect of which proceedings have been commenced?
- It is the responsibility of the OC suspect to make thorough enquiries to determine the veracity of the alibi and to fully report the result
- OC suspect must make enquires of people other than persons whose particulars have been supplied to confirm or rebut evidence in support of alibi
- Complete enquiries to establish where the suspect was at the time of the offence, who they were with and what they were doing.
- Wherever possible corroberation of the alibi provided by the suspect should be sought from forensic or other sources that are independant from the suspect.
