North Wales Police

Crime Scene Attendance Guidance RESTRICTED

Crime Scene Attendance Guidance Document Type: Parent Policy: Document Owner: Department: Document Writer: Effective Date: Review Date:

Guidance Crime Scene Attendance Policy – 030/1.3 Head of Crime Services Scientific Support Unit Forensic Operations Manager 17/10/2014 30/06/2016

1.

SUMMARY OF KEY PROCEDURE DECISIONS

1.1

Any officer may request the attendance of a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) - all requests for CSI attendance between the hours of 08:00 hours and 22:00 hours will be made via ICAD.

1.2

Call-outs may be made for the on-call CSI / on-call Crime Scene Manager (CSM), if appropriate, to crime scenes that have been authorised by the Duty Inspector. All CSI call outs must be authorised by the on call CSM.

1.3

The Crime Scene Investigation Department will attend: • • • • •

•

Serious crime, complex and series crime including repeat victim crimes Arson All burglary dwellings and burglary other than dwellings (including attempted burglaries) – unless it is deemed unnecessary following a quality, documented evaluation All Theft From Motor Vehicles (TFMV) and Unauthorised Taking of Motor Vehicle (UTMV) – unless it is deemed unnecessary following a quality, documented evaluation Other volume crime (including theft and criminal damage) only following a proper documented evaluation is made and the authorising officer is of the view that there is worthwhile evidence that can be obtained by attendance of a CSI All Other Scenes at the discretion of a Detective Inspector, or in their absence, their nominee, the Scientific Support Manager or Forensic Operations Manager

030/1.3

Page 1 of 12 Crime Services RESTRICTED

North Wales Police 1.4

The Crime Scene Investigation Department will not necessarily attend: • • • •

1.5

Crime Scene Attendance Guidance RESTRICTED

Common assaults Road Traffic Collisions where no criminal activity is suspected Explosive Devices – under no circumstances will Crime Scene Investigation staff examine a suspect device before it has been made / declared safe, and they should not be called upon to do so Public relations and administrative requirements are not normally considered factors justifying CSI attendance.

A Crime Scene Manager will attend all scenes of: • • • • •

Murder Suspicious death (after CSI assessment if appropriate) Fatal Arson Fatal Shootings Death in Custody

1.6

A Crime Scene Co-coordinator must be contacted at the earliest opportunity by either the attending CSI or the CSM in the event of a suspicious death

2.

INTRODUCTION

2.1

In order to maintain a quality service, all staff should ensure high standards are achieved in terms of quality information, effective communication, issues of contamination, continuity, health and safety, preservation of the scene for CSI and advice to aggrieved parties not to handle items or carry out repairs before examination.

2.2

CSIs are responsible for thoroughly examining crime scenes to recover the best possible evidence and intelligence available, by using the appropriate techniques, for the investigation of crime.

2.3

Remember that, to the officer attending, this may just be another crime scene to attend. However it must be appreciated that to the victim the impact of a crime may be devastating. Providing a thoroughly professional service and offering reassurance will enhance the reputation of the individual CSI and build public confidence in the police service as a whole.

2.4

The legal basis for this document is derived from: • • •

Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Health and Safety Act 1974

030/1.3

Page 2 of 12 Crime Services RESTRICTED

North Wales Police

Crime Scene Attendance Guidance RESTRICTED

Actions taken as a result of this procedure are also carried out with the informed consent of the owner of property in most cases. Where there is no consent, the Police Reform Act 2001 is used.

3.

SCENE ATTENDANCE

3.1

The Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Department will attend: •

All Serious Crime (Murder / Suspicious death, Serious Assaults, Arson, Sexual Offences, Robbery, Distraction / Aggravated Burglary, Hate Crime, Domestic Violence) and all complex and Series Crime including Repeat Victim Crimes. If the circumstances of the case are such that CSI attendance at the scene is not considered to be appropriate, a Senior CSI MUST be informed to evaluate this decision and to recommend any assistance that they or Scientific Support may be able to provide. This evaluation must be included on the ICAD (Command and Control) as appropriate.

•

Arson - CSI staff must ensure that the Fire and Rescue Service have declared the scene safe, before entering. Ideally, the "all clear" should be entered on the event log, together with the identity of the person making the assessment.

•

All Burglary Dwellings and Attempt Burglary Dwellings) – unless it is deemed unnecessary following a quality, documented evaluation (e.g. the relevant area for forensic examination has not been preserved).

•

All incidents of Burglary Other Than Dwelling should be flagged for CSI attention - CSIs will attend scenes after an evaluation, any scenes not attended will have the reasons documented on the ICAD Event.

•

All UTMV (Unauthorised Taking of Motor Vehicle) Recovered Vehicles – unless it is deemed unnecessary following a quality, documented evaluation.

•

All incidents of TFMV (Theft From Motor Vehicles) should be flagged for CSI attendance – CSIs will attend scenes after an evaluation, any scenes not attended will have the reasons documented on the ICAD Event. (e.g. scene not preserved and has been cleaned up by IP who wishes to use their vehicle).

• •

Other Volume Crime (including theft and criminal damage) only following a proper documented evaluation is made and the authorising officer is of the view that there is worthwhile evidence which can only be obtained by attendance of a CSI.

030/1.3

Page 3 of 12 Crime Services RESTRICTED

North Wales Police

Crime Scene Attendance Guidance RESTRICTED

•

Common Assaults – CSIs will not routinely be required to photograph assaults falling in the category of either ‘Common Assault’ or ‘Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm’.

•

Domestic Violence - CSI will attend Domestic Violence Incidents. In relation to repeat victims, a Senior CSI should be consulted and a forensic strategy formulated.

•

Road Traffic Collisions – Road Traffic Collisions will not be routinely attended by CSIs. A CSI may be required to attend scenes where there is a suspicion of criminal activity and /or if a specialist photographer is needed because there is something evidentially valuable to the investigation which can only be properly dealt with by a CSI. North Wales Police will comply with the Road Death Investigation Manual.

•

Discovery of Suspected Explosive Devices - Upon discovery of a suspect device it must not be touched under any circumstances. The Control Room should invoke the relevant action plan, regarding issues such as cordons, call out of Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) etc. Under no circumstances should the item be handled or transported to a police station before being declared safe by a qualified EOD officer. In terms of recovery of any evidence, the immediate priority must always be safety of the public and police. Under no circumstances will Crime Scene Investigation staff examine a suspect device before it has been made / declared safe and they should not be called upon to do so. Once safe, the issue of forensic integrity is paramount and the advice of CSI staff should be sought where necessary.

•

Firearms (including ammunition) - Where a firearm / ammunition is recovered the following steps should be taken, bearing in mind that the safety of the public and staff is the primary concern: A Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) will attend the scene as soon as it is safe to do so. If practical the weapon should not be handled or approached until the CSI has been consulted. The attending CSI and firearms officer will wear a forensic scene suit, gloves, and facemask and adopt the usual anti-contamination procedures. It is preferable for a firearms officer who hasn’t had scene / arrest involvement to make weapon safe to minimise cross contamination. Where practical and safe to do so, adhering to all health and safety guidelines and advice from the firearms officer present, the CSI will make a visual examination of the weapon for obvious physical evidence e.g. hairs, blood, fibres etc. The firearm should then be photographed and documented in situ prior to it being made safe.

030/1.3

Page 4 of 12 Crime Services RESTRICTED

North Wales Police

Crime Scene Attendance Guidance RESTRICTED

If physical evidence is present the CSI should consider the possibility of recovering it at this stage. If this is not possible due to personal risk then the firearms officer should be made aware of it to prevent it being lost, as the weapon is made safe. Where safe to do so the CSI should monitor the making safe of the weapon and have the correct packaging available for the recovery.

3.2

•

All Other Scenes – at the discretion of a District or Detective Inspector, or in their absence, their nominee, Scientific Support Manager or Forensic Operations Manager.

•

Public relations and administrative requirements are not normally considered factors justifying CSI attendance.

CSI RESPONSE

3.2.1 Senior Crime Scene Investigators (SCSI) A SCSI may attend any crime which has been tasked for CSI to attend. 3.2.2 Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) Grade 2 A CSI Grade 2 will attend all scenes which fit the attendance criteria. It is the responsibility of the CSI to contact their Senior CSI (or the on-call Crime Scene Manager if outside normal hours) if the CSI requires advice and assistance. 3.2.3 Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) Grade 1 A CSI Grade 1 will be tasked according to their individual skills and abilities. They will routinely attend all auto-crime within the attendance criteria unless the vehicle has been involved in serious crime. They will attend minor burglary other than dwelling scenes that fit within the attendance criteria. Examples of minor BOTDs include shed breaks and garage breaks. CSI Grade 1 will attend burglary dwellings scenes and more complex BOTD after an initial training period, at the discretion of the Senior CSI. Serious crime will NOT be attended by CSI Grade1 unless it is under the supervision of an experienced CSI or Crime Scene Manager.

4.

REQUEST FOR CSI ATTENDANCE

4.1

Any Police Officer or Investigation Support Team (IST) Officer may request attendance of a CSI. Officers requesting CSI attendance must ensure that CSIs are only sent to crime scenes from

030/1.3

Page 5 of 12 Crime Services RESTRICTED

North Wales Police

Crime Scene Attendance Guidance RESTRICTED

which useful evidence or intelligence can realistically be obtained and that they are not sent to worthless scenes. If an officer is uncertain, then he / she can seek advice from the on duty CSIs during the hours 0800 – 2200. Out of hours the officer should seek the advice of a more experienced police officer or supervisor. All requests for CSI attendance between the hours of 08:00 hrs and 22:00 hrs will be made via ICAD. 4.2

Requests for CSI outside normal hours

4.2.1 All Call-Outs for Crime Scene Managers (CSM) and CSIs must be directed via the On-Call Crime Scene Manager who will be booked on ICAD. 4.2.2 Call-Out for CSM and CSIs to serious crime must be authorised by the Duty Inspector or SIO (Senior Investigating Officer). 4.2.3 Call-Outs for an on-call CSI to URGENT volume crime scenes which CANNOT wait until the following day without there being a compromise to the forensic evidence will be considered by the On-Call Crime Scene Manager; it will still require the authority of the Duty Inspector, however the Crime Scene Manager will make the final decision with regard to allocating resources to such incidents. 4.2.4 In making the final decision the following factors will be considered: • • •

The likelihood of evidence being lost if a visit is delayed until morning The available resources versus competing demands The views of the victim

4.2.5 Any attendance at these jobs could mean that there is no CSI to attend a more serious job should it arise and it impacts directly on staffing levels the following day; this will therefore be strictly monitored. 4.2.6 Crime Scene Investigators Grade 1 are not on call and can only be requested to attend a scene outside of normal hours via the Senior CSI, Forensic Operations Manager or Scientific Support Manager. 4.3

Briefing of CSI

4.3.1 The officer requesting attendance should ensure the CSI is briefed and is made aware of any suspects in custody. He / she must also ensure that the CSI is given the correct contact details for the IP to avoid unnecessary delays in scene examination. These contact details could include the address and telephone number where the IP will be if they are not going to remain at their home address. A mobile phone number if available should always be taken. In addition, the CSI needs to know the times of availability of the IP. 030/1.3

Page 6 of 12 Crime Services RESTRICTED

North Wales Police

4.4

Crime Scene Attendance Guidance RESTRICTED

Timeliness

4.4.1 All scenes should be attended as soon as possible. 4.4.2 Priority Crime (as defined in the Monthly Intelligence Bulletins) should be attended within 4 hours of request or tour of duty whichever is the later. 4.4.3 Priority will be given to scenes of serious incidents. 4.5

Liaison with Injured Party (IP)

4.5.1 Incidents which are flagged to CSI via ICAD between the hours of 0800 – 2200 hours will be reviewed by the on duty CSIs who will arrange for the incident to be resourced appropriately. 4.5.2 Dependent on the incident the scene will be either be resourced by a Dynamic CSI who will be dispatched as soon as they are available or the Coordinator will contact the victim of crime and arrange a convenient time for CSI to attend and an appointment will be made. The CSI Coordinator will update the Outlook Calendars with the appointments and also update the ICAD. 4.6

Scenes which Cannot be Attended within Agreed Timescales

4.6.1 It is the joint responsibility of CSI Department and Control Rooms to keep victims of crime informed if there is likely to be significant delays in a CSI attendance, particularly if the scene cannot be attended for operational reasons until the following day. 4.6.2 If the crime was tasked through ICAD for the CSI Department between 22.00 hours the previous day and 08.00 hours on the day in question, the Control Room must contact the IP to advise that CSI will not be able to attend until the following day for all crimes reported up to midnight, and the same day for all crimes after midnight. 4.6.3 It is then the responsibility of the CSI who MUST contact the IP directly or arrange for the Control Room to contact the IP, if they cannot attend within 4 hours of the start of duty for priority crime and within 8 hours for other crime. This contact needs to be made at the earliest possible opportunity and an appointment should be made where possible to enable the IP to make plans accordingly. An estimated arrival time should be given if the crime was tasked for CSI attendance through the Command and Control during the working day. •

It is the responsibility of the Control Room to inform the CSI Coordinator or duty Senior CSI that additional work has come through.

030/1.3

Page 7 of 12 Crime Services RESTRICTED

North Wales Police

Crime Scene Attendance Guidance RESTRICTED

•

It is the responsibility of the CSI Coordinator or duty Senior CSI to re-prioritise the allocated workload of the CSI. Advice can be sought from Districts if necessary.

•

If the Senior CSI or a CSI Coordinator is not on duty then the Control Room can contact the CSI closest to the area directly.

4.6.4 If time permits, it is best practice for the CSI Coordinator or CSI to contact all IPs on their list of jobs for the day to advise of a likely estimated time of arrival. 4.6.5 Tasking of CSI of work which will incur overtime must be done via the Senior CSI or Crime Scene Manager. 4.7

No Reply Procedure

4.7.1 If a CSI attends the crime scene and nobody is in, a “no reply” note should be left at the property with the full contact details for the CSI office. 4.7.2 Reasonable endeavour will be made by the CSI to re-contact the IP if they do not reply themselves. This will include telephone calls until such a time as a message can be left either on an answering machine or with an appropriate person. A further revisit will not usually be made without the IP contacting the office unless the crime is a serious crime. The efforts made by CSI to contact the IP will be recorded on Locard (the Scientific Support work management system) and the will also be updated. 4.8

Scene Attendance by Crime Scene Manager

4.8.1 It is the responsibility of the Police Officer attending the scene to ensure that evidence is preserved in all cases where Scientific Support personnel will be requested to attend. 4.8.2 In all cases involving a sudden death the Force Policy on Sudden, Unexplained & Suspicious Death must be adhered to. 4.9

Crime Scene Managers (CSM)

4.9.1 Qualified CSMs are usually Senior Crime Scene Investigators; however, there are also experienced CSIs who can perform this function. All Crime Scene Managers will be suitably qualified. 4.9.2 A CSM will attend all scenes of: • •

Murder Suspicious death (after CSI assessment if appropriate)

030/1.3

Page 8 of 12 Crime Services RESTRICTED

North Wales Police • • • •

Crime Scene Attendance Guidance RESTRICTED

Fatal Arson Fatal Shootings Death in Custody Serious Sexual Offences

4.9.3 It is the responsibility of the CSM to notify the Forensic Operations Manager or in his / her absence the Scientific Support Manager at the earliest opportunity of any of the above events. 4.10

Requests for a Crime Scene Manager

4.10.1 Requests for a Crime Scene Manager between the hours of 08.00 hours and 22.00 hours should be via the local Control Room for the CSM on duty for that area. If there is no CSM on duty or if the individual is committed, then the Scientific Support Manager or Forensic Operations Manager should be contacted. 4.10.2 After 22.00 hours there is a call-out rota for Crime Scene Managers. The CSM will be booked on ICAD, and the rota is located on Outlook Public folders, CSD Scientific Support CSM Rota.

5.

CRIME SCENE COORDINATOR

5.1

A Crime Scene Coordinator will be a member of the Scientific Support Department who has received training in the field. Currently the appointed Crime Scene Coordinators are the Forensic Operations Manager and the four Senior CSIs. A Crime Scene Coordinator will be appointed at the discretion of the CSM or SIO.

5.2

The Crime Scene Coordinators are not on-call. However, they may be contacted for out of hours duties by the CSM.

5.3

The Forensic Operations Manager or Scientific Support Manager must be contacted by either the attending CSI or the CSM in the event of a suspicious death at the earliest opportunity. OUT OF HOURS REQUESTS FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS WITHIN SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT

6.

6.1

Fingerprint Experts, Chemical Treatment Officers, Imaging Technicians and staff from the Audio-Visual Unit are not routinely on-call out of normal office hours. However, they may be available out of normal office hours to undertake urgent work. Requests must be made via the Duty Inspector, Area Control Room, who must obtain authorisation from the duty Detective Superintendent.

7. REQUESTS FOR SPECIALISTS OUTSIDE SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT TO ATTEND THE SCENE 030/1.3

Page 9 of 12 Crime Services RESTRICTED

North Wales Police

7.1

Crime Scene Attendance Guidance RESTRICTED

Forensic Scientists

7.1.1 Any request for the services of a scientist, either at a crime scene or during the course of an enquiry, will be made via a Crime Scene Manager, who will notify the Forensic Operations Manager or Scientific Support Manager, outlining the reason for the request. 7.1.2 The Crime Scene Manager will consult with the Investigating Officer and, if appropriate, arrange for the attendance of a scientist. 7.1.3 A Forensic Scientist can only be called out to a crime scene with consultation with the Crime Scene Manager and authorisation by the Senior Investigating Officer. 7.1.4 A Forensic Scientist should always be considered for a fatal arson or fatal shooting. 7.2

Forensic Pathologists

7.2.1 Where it is considered necessary for a Home Office Pathologist to be called, the duty Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) or a Detective Superintendent in his / her absence, must be informed in advance. 7.3

Police Surgeons

7.3.1 Police Surgeons called to scenes of suspicious deaths should not enter the scene (unless urgent reason for doing so – e.g. saving of life) without full barrier clothing. In homicide cases they should also be advised that their role is to pronounce life extinct, and that no further examination of the body is to take place. The Home Office Pathologist will undertake this role. 7.4

Boundaries

7.4.1 The CSI Department is a Force resource and as such the boundaries for CSIs are a loose boundary. 7.4.2 CSI resources and relative workloads will be assessed on a daily basis throughout the Force area by the duty Senior CSI. 7.4.3 CSI resources from one County may be required to carry out duties in another County for either a short of a longer period of time. Whilst this will often be due to major crime commitments, it could also be to address an imbalance in the distribution of work on any given working day. 7.4.4 Changes to Boundaries will be through the control of the Forensic Operations Manager or Senior CSI. Any changes will be 030/1.3

Page 10 of 12 Crime Services RESTRICTED

North Wales Police

Crime Scene Attendance Guidance RESTRICTED

communicated to Control Room and the relevant County as appropriate. 7.5

Quality of Service

7.5.1 In order to maintain a quality service, all staff should ensure high standards are achieved in terms of quality information, effective communication, issues of contamination, continuity, Health and Safety, preservation of the scene for CSI and advice to aggrieved parties not to handle items / carry out repairs before examination. 7.5.2 CSIs are responsible for thoroughly examining crime scenes and, by using appropriate techniques, for obtaining the best possible evidence / intelligence available. Thereafter it is their responsibility to suitably preserve and document that evidence / intelligence for use in the investigation of crime. 7.5.3 All scientific support staff attending such scenes will consider the following:

7.6

•

Positive Police Attitude – A negative attitude by Police personnel is likely to negatively influence the victim’s perception of the individual officer / staff member and the organisation as a whole. Negative comments as to the value of CSI attendance at that particular scene should never be expressed to the victim.

•

Sympathetic Approach – Police personnel attending such crimes should sympathise with the victim offering support and reassurance.

•

Explanation of the scene examination process - Provide the victim with clear information and detail your scene examination options and intentions.

•

False Promises - Do not raise victim expectations by providing assurances, which may not be realised. Remember – CID may not attend.

CSI Responsibilities at Scene

7.6.1 Following a request to attend the scene, the CSI should: • • • • •

Attend the scene at the first available opportunity. Contact and advise the victim of their estimated time of arrival. The victim should be updated where delays prevent attendance at the agreed time. Whenever possible liaise with the Reporting Officer prior to and following the scene examination. Conduct a thorough crime scene examination. Update the victim with the result of their findings.

030/1.3

Page 11 of 12 Crime Services RESTRICTED

North Wales Police •

Crime Scene Attendance Guidance RESTRICTED

Process the result of the examination by updating Locard (the Scientific Support work management system) at the first available opportunity and in all circumstances prior to the end of their tour of duty.

7.6.2 Senior CSIs will accompany staff to ensure quality examinations are conducted; they will also provide action plans for any development issues identified. 7.6.3 Senior CSIs and the Forensic Operations Manager will also conduct Quality Checks (QC) on scene examinations conducted and discuss. 7.7

Scene Contamination Issues

7.7.1 Everyone attending the scene of a serious crime MUST wear full protective clothing, gloves, overshoes and a face mask. Scene Suits will be worn irrespective of previous contamination which may have occurred prior to control of the scene e.g. public access. Scene Suits will be exhibited after the examination. 7.8

Performance Monitoring

7.8.1 Scene Attendance will be monitored against the targets set for the year on a monthly basis in arrears. 7.8.2 Scene Attendance will be in the Force monthly performance bulletin.

030/1.3

Page 12 of 12 Crime Services RESTRICTED