3 key elements of homicide
victim, location and suspect
OC Body responsibilities
- death cert by D or paramedic using deceased cert
- maintain security of body, exhibits and samples from scene for PM
- note observations of body
- note medical staff who have attended victim/ actions
- establish if victim moved or not
- photograph in situ
- transport to morg on OC authority
- complete sudden death procedures/ID/Medical history
OC body at PM
- direct photographs (before/after clothing)
- preserve evidence from body - label/record samples
- arrange fingerprints/palm prints
OC investigation
notify coroner
arrange PM
consult with pathologist prior to PM
who may want to attend scene prior to body being moved
pathologist
crown solicitor
what info should be given to interested parties re scene
photos/video taken
actions of first responders
ID/history
timeframes
scope and priorities of investigation
environment factors
factors re removal of body
coroner, views of pathologist, esr, crown
requirement for any examination prior to removal
best method /path of removal
chain of custody
what evidence may be lost during removal
- larvae and insects
- potential fingerprints
- DNA
- extra-venous items (loose hair, fibres, glass)
- firearm residue
process for removing body
1- photos/video it
2. mark position
3. record position
4. consider health risks
5. cover head, hands and feet with paper bag secured to ape
6. ensure clothing not contaminated with foreign objects
7. wrap in sheet prior to body bag
8. carefully search under body lay
9. retain all used to move body as exhibits
10. obtain approval from OC investigation
11. arrange undertaker
what details of the body should be recorded
position, appearance, wounds, clothing, direction of blood trails, colour of skin due to gravitation (lividity)
role of OC body during PM
observe, document and deal with exhibits associated to the body in a structed and methodical manner
purpose of PM
- mode and time of death
- how death/events at scene
- nature and size of any weapons
- height and statre of suspect
- areas of interest for witness/suspect
- negating possible defences
what are the requirements if a person has been/may be charged in relation to PM
their legal representative must be infomred of the time, date and place of pm
OC body at arrival of morg
1 ensure dont wash body
2. ensure body labelled and secured in secure fridge
3. retain key
4. ensure body remains in current condition until commencement of PM
5. arrnage formal ID
when body cant be ID, other options
fingerprints, DNA profiling, dental, medical examination (scars, birthmarks, tattoos), personal effects,
what info can pathologist provide with skeletal remains
if remains are bones, if bones are human, age, gender, height and race
what must the pathologist be supplied with
POL47, MEK kit, toxicology kit, medical records, photos of weapons or scene
stripping body at PM
done in presence of pathologist.
when might radiological examination be appropriate
- cases of suspected non-accidental in children
- firearm or explosive deaths
- badly burnt or decomposed bodies
when may a CT scan be beneficial
- trace the path of bullets
- blunt force head trauma injuries
limitations:
priorities to patients therefore not readily available.
1S file must include
ST formal ID
POL47
deceased person cert
deceased person ID
when may a 2nd PM take place
- patholoist unable to determine from first
- suspects lawyer seeks approval from corner for independent PM
- solicitor general orders a PM after an application to high court
