HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION

1. The member to whom the homicide is first reported will be instrumental in

the success of the investigation. They must obtain and record accurate
particulars including the nature and location of the homicide.

2. Impress on the caller the necessity to remain at the scene and if possible
to prevent contamination until the arrival of police.

3. Make an objective assessment of the situation and determine the best

course of action. Consider what assistance is needed.

4. Remember that a suspicious death may be due to homicide, accidental,

suicide or natural causes.

5. Adopt a methodical approach.

6. Keep an open mind. Do not jump to conclusion. Avoid drawing

premature inferences.

7. Remember that team-work is essential in homicide investigations.

8. Ensure that the victim is, in fact, dead. If there is any doubt obtain
immediate medical assistance.

9. Limit the local doctor to certification of death. The local doctor may be
able to help with an approximation of the cause and time of death.
However, never accept this as totally accurate. Leave the exact cause of
death to the pathologist who should be notified in each investigation.
Based upon the circumstances the pathologist may decide to attend the
scene.

10. On arrival, locate the person who reported the event, request witnesses
to remain at the scene, detain suspects and take whatever action is
necessary to prevent contamination.

11. Notify D.24. Use their facilities for notifying necessary services, e.g.
Homicide Squad, photographers, fingerprint experts, video operations
unit and crime scene section. The services of a licensed surveyor may
subsequently be necessary. In country areas the Lands Department will
provide a surveyor if required.

12. Inform superiors and maintain progressive situation reports.

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13. Inform the Coroner. In the metropolitan area, this is done through D.24.
In country area, he is usually the local Magistrate. Also inform the
pathologist, as he may wish to attend the scene.

14. It is essential to preserve the scene in its original state. Attending police
can assist by keeping unauthorised persons away, detaining persons
found at the scene, providing transport and communications and
maintenance of a log etc.

15. Whilst awaiting the arrival of the Homicide Squad and other experts,
endeavour to establish identity by inquiries. Identity must be established
and it may be necessary to make local inquiries or a canvass. The crime
scene must not be interfered with in any way.

16. Remember that the offender may be among the persons found at the
scene. Don't allow anyone to leave the proximity of the scene or anyone
to enter the scene. Persons found at the scene should be separated
from each other. Don't volunteer any information to any of these people.
Don't allow these people to move about the scene.

17. Make comprehensive notes. Note exact position of the body and relative
positions of wounds, weapon and other relevant items. If possible, one
man should record as the other describes the scene. Exhibits must be
photographed in original positions before being handled.

18. On arrival of the Homicide Squad, advise them of all action taken. If the
Homicide Squad is not available, you will be responsible for the
investigation and preparation of the brief.

19. Note transitory features - such as lights on or off, household appliances

in use - radio, television, heaters. Delivery of milk, bread or newspaper
may be significant. Look for indications of a recent meal or the presence
of company, foot prints, tyre tracks, articles apparently out of place,
forced entry, signs of struggle, indicators of motive, i.e. robbery - rape
etc.

20. Do not disturb the scene until photographs have been taken and the
scene recorded on video tape. Inform the camera operator of your
requirements. Have too many photographs taken rather than too few.
Remember that you cannot return next day and expect to find the scene
in its original condition.

21. Consider chalking the outline of the body prior to its removal. Care
should be taken to prevent the loss of exhibits during removal of the body
to the mortuary. Ensure that a police member accompanies the body.
Consider putting bags over the hands. Make sure you turn the body over
and check for other wounds and weapons prior to removal.

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22. The fingerprint expert should be given access to thoroughly check the
scene (and any secondary scenes) for fingerprints, with the crime scene
searcher.

23. Make a thorough search of the scene and surroundings. Direct Forensic
Science Laboratory experts. Make notes, have photographs taken, etc.
Do not discard any item until thoroughly satisfied it is not relevant.

24. Keep the number of searchers to the minimum necessary to carry out the
search efficiently.

25. Collect and label all exhibits. One man should be made responsible for
all exhibits. Maintain continuity.

26. Consider the possibility of casts of impressions and additional

photographs of any significant marks or stains. Take samples of
substances for analysis, together with control and reference samples.
Take samples of as many individual bloodstains as possible. Remember
the offender may have been injured.

27. If in a house, search thoroughly and systematically. Look for letters,

photographs, receipts or other sources of information which might reveal
a motive or a suspect. Search also the outside roof and guttering; inside
above the ceiling and under the house etc. as well. Search rubbish bins
and peruse telephone teledexes and photo albums.

28. Look for possible method of entry and exit. Check for signs of forced
entry.

29. Look for the murder weapon. Was it brought by the offender and left at
the scene? Was it something normally in the house and taken by the
offender? If a knife for example it may have been washed and put in a
kitchen drawer.

30. Make sure that the furniture and contents of the house are left in their
original positions for the benefit of the Government Surveyor, who will
prepare plans for court. Check these against your photos and sketch
when you receive the plans.

31. Do not leave the scene unguarded or the premises unlocked until you
have entirely finished with them.

32. Make house-to-house inquiries, to establish movement of deceased,

suspects, witnesses such as - Who saw the victim last? When? Where?
Under what circumstances? Has any suspicious person been loitering in
the area?

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33. If the deceased is unknown, endeavour to establish identity as soon as
possible. Consider dental identification, fingerprints, composite drawings,
clothing, jewellery, physical peculiarities.

34. Try to establish a motive for the killing. This may strongly indicate the
suspect.

35. A preliminary account should be taken from all persons found at the
scene, as soon as practicable, either at the nearest police station or at
the scene, if necessary. Adequate notes must be taken. Confirmatory
statements should be obtained when facts have been established.
Remember to obtain negative statements from persons exhibiting a
reluctance to assist.

36. If contacted by representatives of the media at the scene, refer them to

the Officer in Charge. Premature release of information might jeopardise
the investigation. On the other hand, it might be essential to make an
immediate release of certain information in order to gain public co-
operation.

37. Remember to notify D.24, and your superiors of the progress of the
inquiry.

38. The member who attends at the post mortem at the Coronial Services
Centre should organise a thorough search of the deceased's clothing and
observe the location and nature of any wounds. Notes should be taken
and arrangements made for photographing of wounds. Undressing of
the body should be left to the technicians. This can help him to
determine the posture of the body when wounds were inflicted. The
position of any wounds should be marked on a chart and record should
be made of the pockets in which any items were found. The member is
to take possession of all exhibits located, together with control samples.
If the victim was shot, consider having firearm experts view the wounds.
If the body has been immersed in water have close up photos taken of
the hands and feet.

39. Preparation of Form 83 (Report of Death) should be under-taken by one

of the investigators familiar with the facts. All information which might
assist the pathologist in establishing the exact cause of death is vital and
should be included.

40. Obtain photographs of the deceased before and after the body is
cleansed, prior to the post mortem examination. The appearance of
wounds may be important. Include a photograph of the face for
identification. The body should not be hosed down before the pathologist

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 inspects is. Particularly if anal/vaginal swabs are required. This applies
no matter how dirty or fly-blown the body is, valuable traces may be lost
from head, ears, hands, mouth, vagina, anus, etc., if this is done
prematurely.

41. Where relevant, remember to ask the pathologist to observe the nature
and stage of digestion of the stomach contents. The last meal consumed
by the deceased is often of importance.

42. Although blood, nails, muscle tissue and hair samples are normally taken
where poisoning is suspected, obtain adequate samples of head hair,
including roots. In arsenical poisoning, obtain samples of urine also.

43. A sample of deceased's blood is essential for comparison purposes and

examination by the medico-legal chemist. This is particularly relevant in
carbon monoxide poisoning.

44. Often samples of maggots are collected so that it may be determined

when death occurred.

45. In cases of homicidal sexual attack, obtain samples of pubic hair from the
victim, fingernail scrapings etc. Request the pathologist to obtain a
vaginal and anal smear for biological examination for semen. Check also
for pregnancy, virginity and finger pressure marks and bruising on the
thighs, calves and shoulders.

46. Package and label all exhibits carefully. Maintain continuity of handling.
Prepare appropriate State Forensic Science Laboratory reports.

47. In the event of a lengthy investigation, consider establishing and

maintaining an office in the area. If established, the telephone must be
manned constantly and an accurate record of all communications
maintained and indexed.

48. In major cases, a master file system at least in triplicate must be

commenced. A record of all information is kept and indexed for easy
reference, e.g. witnesses, suspects, motor vehicles, firearms etc.
Consider the use of an analyst.

49. If there is more than one suspect for the crime, keep all relevant matters
dealing with each suspect separately but in a common file. Cross
indexing is essential.

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50. Homicide investigation requires thorough, methodical painstaking work.
Be precise in relation to times, date, places, persons nominated and
alibis stated.

51. Sift through the evidence from time to time. Regular conferences of
members involved in the investigation are necessary to keep them
informed of latest developments.

52. Remember that exact cause of death, together with identity of the
deceased and motive for the killing often suggest the identity of a suspect
or offender.

53. Prepare a time-schedule of the deceased's movements for comparison

with those of a suspect.

54. If an offender is charged with murder, remember that he will probably

plead not guilty and contest the issue strongly in court. Seek additional
evidence to corroborate any admission or confession. Most successful
attacks are made on confessions which have not been adequately
corroborated. Remember alibi witnesses. Interview fully as you may not
get another chance later on. Once you have charged the offender do not
relax your effort. The hard work is only just beginning.

55. On arrest of an offender, remember to take possession of his clothing for

examination. Endeavour to obtain samples if required such as blood,
hair etc. If he refuses these, obtain all cigarette butts he discards he may
secrete saliva. This will assist you to establish his blood type.

56. Inform superiors of the arrest of an offender. If an offender is a foreign

national, notify the appropriate consular office. Cancel any teletype or
special wanted circulars.

57. Consider the value of a video re-enactment of the crime by the offender.
Where video equipment is unavailable, still photographs will suffice.
Remember to caution your offender appropriately.

58. In preparing the brief of evidence, commence with a summary of events

in chronological order. In listing the witnesses commence with the formal
evidence first - identification, photographer, surveyor, etc. List the
exhibits and the identity of the witness producing each item.

59. Procedure on charge of murder:-

1. Charged at watch-house.

2. Appear before Magistrates' Court at first opportunity.

3. Remand is requested to status hearing 14 days after arrest.

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 4. At Status hearing informant is to give evidence of the number of
witnesses, statements obtained and pending, and generally how
long is required to complete the brief. Once this is established a
mention committal date is set and date nominated for service of
brief.

5. At the Committal mention the defence will nominate how many

witnesses are to be called and number of days required to hear
committal. A committal date is then set.

6. At the committal the Hand Up Brief procedure is used with

witnesses being required to give evidence in cross examination
only. Once the accused is committed for trial the Magistrate will
then open the Coroner's Court hearing and make a finding in
relation to the cause of death and any persons who may have
contributed to the death.

The Melbourne Coroner has directed that the deceased's relatives

be informed of the time, date and place of the inquest. (See Op.'s Proc. Man.
9.11.2)

During the investigation of homicides, the detective becomes the

Coroners' Assistant and should any problems arise, the Coroner should be
consulted and his instructions sought.

An inquest is an inquisition and the normal rules of court

procedure do not apply although the practice is to follow them generally. It
should be noted that the police only appear at the inquest to assist the Coroner.
The police do not call the witnesses, the Coroner does. They are the Coroner's
witnesses. He is charged with ascertaining the identity of the deceased, the
cause of death, the time, place and manner of death and the identity of any
person(s) who contributed to the cause of death.