What are the OC Body responsibilities?
- Ensure death has been certified by a doctor or qualified paramedic using a Deceased Person Certificate
- Maintain security and continuity of the body, samples and exhibits, from the scene to the commencement of the post-mortem examination
- Secure and guard the body, body samples and any exhibits relating to the body, with dignity and respect
- Note and record observations relating to the body
- Note details of medical staff or others who have attended the victim
- Record what actions have been taken by any party in respect of the body
- Establish if the body has been moved or disturbed
- Ensure the body is photographed ‘in situ’ and consider using video recording
- On authority of the OC Investigation, arrange transportation of the body to the mortuary
- Complete sudden death procedures
- On authority of OC Investigation, arrange formal identification of the body
- Obtain historical medical records of victim for information for pathologist
- Attend the post-mortem examination with the OC Investigation, or deputy appointed by them and:
- Attend the briefing of the pathologist by the OC Investigation, and contribute as required.
- Ensure the Police photographer takes appropriate and sufficient photographs of the body before clothing is removed, again after the body is disrobed, and during the post-mortem examination. The pathologist will direct the photographer.
- Preserve evidence from the body.
- Record, label and secure all samples and exhibits associated with the body.
- Arrange for fingerprints and palm prints to be taken, if required.
- Attend the debrief of the pathologist and record the findings, on direction of the OC and/or pathologist
- Ensure all cultural responsibilities have been addressed
Prior to removing the body, what must the OC Body do?
Make an appreciation in respect of the removal of the body. These factors should be considered in the appreciation:
- Notification to and response from, the Coroner
- Views of the pathologist, ESR and Crown Solicitor attending the crime scene
- Consultation with other relevant experts
- Requirement for any examination or action needed before removal, based on known facts of the case
- Best method and route for the body removal, to minimise the contamination of the scene or the body, for example by using sterile stepping plates
- Supervision of the body removal
- Chain of custody of the body from the scene to the mortuary
- Safe custody of exhibits
- Family and/or cultural considerations
- Record the SOP for what and how items of protective clothing must be used in relation to the scene and the body. Unless a specific reason exists to retain them, items of PPE should be placed in a bag and destroyed. The SOP for PPE used at a scene should be recorded once and thereafter scene staff may refer to the SOP, rather than recording every use or change of PPE.
What action should Police take where the body has been disturbed at the scene?
- Establish what movement has taken place and that the OC Body record this information ASAP.
- Do not attempt to restore the scene to its original unchanged condition.
- Make enquiries to enable the original unchanged scene to be subsequently reconstructed and photographed, if required.
Describe who should be appointed as OC Body at a serious crime scene?
An experienced investigator with awareness of forensic issues. Where this is not possible, the OC Body may require additional support and/or monitoring.
The appointment of an additional deputy to assist the OC Body as ‘Scene Exhibits Officer’ specifically during the post-mortem examination, should also be considered.
Describe the role of the OC Body during a post-mortem examination?
The primary role of the OC Body during a post-mortem is to observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body, in a structured, methodical manner.
How can the pathologist’s findings with the body assist in an investigation?
- Determining where possible, the mode and time of death
- Establishing how injuries and/or events at the scene may have contributed toward the death of the victim
- Determining the nature and size of any weapon(s) used
- Determining the approximate height and stature of the suspect
- Providing areas of interest for subsequent interviews of witnesses and/or suspects
- Negating possible defences
- Identifying the victim, if identity has not been established
What instructions should be given to a person identifying a body?
It is important those carrying out the formal identification are fully informed what is required of them and what they should expect to see when they view the deceased, particularly after a post-mortem examination has taken place.
List the methods of identifying a body that has decomposed:
- Fingerprints
- DNA profiling
- Dental records
- Eye examination records
- Medical examination records, including scars, birth marks, implants or prosthetics, x-rays, surgical wounds, amputations and tattoos
- Personal effects
- Facial reconstruction
What information might a forensic anthropologist prove through analysis of skeletal remains?
- Whether the remains are actually bones
- Whether the bones are human
- The age, gender, height and race of the person
When may the OC Body take notes regarding a post-mortem examination?
The OC Body must not make any notes of discussions concerning the post-mortem examination, unless specifically directed to by the OC Investigation and/or the pathologist.
When should the OC Body strip the body of clothing?
Stripping of the body will take place immediately before the post-mortem examination commences, but must only be undertaken on the specific direction of the OC Investigation, generally after a visual examination and collection of evidence from the clothed body has been completed.
In addition to photographs taken at the scene, the OC Body must ensure the photographer at the mortuary takes sufficient appropriate photographs of:
- The body, before it is stripped
- The body, after it is stripped
- Close up photographs of any wounds, marks, internal injures and unusual features
- These photographs must include a measuring scale placed in proximity to the feature being photographed, to make a permanent record of the dimensions of the feature
What is the OC Body’s responsibility in relation to exhibits from the body?
- Responsible for recording, labelling, packaging, sealing and securing all physical exhibits relating to the body, including samples taken during the post-mortem
- All exhibits must be packaged and sealed before leaving the mortuary, without exception and will be recorded in a Scene Exhibits Schedule
At the conclusion of the post-mortem, the OC Body must hand all exhibits to the OC Exhibits. List three things that the OC Body must provide the OC exhibits with:
- The post-mortem Scene Exhibit Schedule
- Copy of the OC Body’s notebook entries
- Formal statement
Who is responsible for managing the removal of the body?
The OC Investigation is ultimately responsible for ensuring how the removal and examination of the body will be managed. The body must not be moved without specific authority from the OC Investigation.
Police who should attend the post-mortem are:
- OC Body
- OC Investigation
- Member specifically designated as exhibits officer for post-mortem (if required)
- Police photographer
- SOCO or fingerprint officer (if required)
