FORENSIC STRATEGY
10.4 IMPLEMENTING THE FORENSIC STRATEGY
10.4.3 FORENSIC MANAGEMENT TEAM
The purpose of an FMT is to provide focus to an investigation so that its physical evidence requirements are constantly reviewed and met. The FMT provides a forum of advice to the SIO, ensuring that they have a comprehensive knowledge of the forensic scientific support available to them that can be applied across the spectrum of current investigative needs, as appropriate.
The FMT should include:
•
SIO;•
D/SIO;•
Scientific Support Manager;•
NCPE Crime Investigation Support Officer or Regional Adviser;•
CSC;•
Crime Scene Manager;•
Exhibits Officer;•
Officer identified to manage the delivery of the forensic strategy.In cases where scene interpretation is more complex it is good practice to include:
•
Relevant forensic Specialist Advisers, including a fingerprint expert;•
Home Office pathologist;•
Other experts as required.The objectives of the FMT are the:
•
Management of scientific support resources;•
Provision of scene management, coordination and operational advice;•
Strategic management of scientific support services to meet investigative needs.The FMT is responsible for reviewing the physical material recovered from scenes and prioritising the submission of exhibits. This process needs to be constantly reviewed to coincide with changing investigative developments.
All results of submissions are relayed to the SIO who, with the FMT and the Interview Adviser, should consider them in the context of their evidential value and relationship to the needs of the investigation. Forensic results have the potential to influence significant lines of enquiry and the prioritisation of further laboratory submissions.
10.5 FURTHER READING
•
ACPO (2005) DNA Good Practice Manual.•
ACPO and the Forensic Science Service (1996) Using Forensic Science Effectively.Evidence Where found? Comments
Category
Figure 18 Summary of the Main Types of Physical Evidence
Often visible staining but must give
consideration to the possibility that small, weak or diluted stains are often missed by the naked eye. Consideration should be given to a scientist/
scene examination specialist attending the crime scene to consider blood distribution or where it is suspected the scene has been cleaned.
It is important that intimate samples are collected at the earliest opportunity. It is possible for semen to be shed even where ejaculation has not taken place during the incident, for example where semen traces are already present on the penis.
The examination of the scene for semen staining may also be relevant and will normally require the attendance of scientists/scene examination specialist.
Intimate samples must be collected at the earliest opportunity.
Blood Can be found on any items associated with a crime where blood is shed, including suspect, victim, witnesses, scene, weapons, implements, and environment.
Semen Can be found on any items associated with a crime where
TEGY
Evidence Where found? Comments
Category
Figure 18 Summary of the Main Types of Physical Evidence (continued)
The DNA profiling success rates of such materials are often low and variable. Careful consideration should be given to the circumstances of the offence and early discussion with a scientist and/or the force Scientific Support Manager is advisable.
Most fingerprints will be developed using well-established techniques. Consideration should be given to joint examinations between DNA and relevant marks expert, eg, fingerprint expert;
chemical enhancement specialist particularly on surfaces or items considered crucial to the investigation.
Hairs that have been forcibly removed are particularly successful for DNA profiling tests.
The presence of shed hairs on the victim or at the scene may be of limited use, depending on the circumstances of the case.
Sensitive (LCN) DNA techniques should be considered at an early stage as there is the potential for contamination or loss of evidence.
However, care should be exercised when formulating a forensic strategy based on such evidence, and advice should be sought from a Specialist Adviser or other appropriate adviser.
The value of fibre transfer evidence depends on many factors including force and duration of contact, type of fibre and information about legitimacy of contact.
Consideration should be given to early collection and the recovery of relevant controls.
It is important to discuss the required samples with the designated Home Office pathologist.
Where specific drugs or poisons or medicines are potentially involved, this information must be conveyed to the forensic provider to ensure they are included in any screening tests.
All other categories of cellular
DNA DNA can be present in many forms on victims, suspects,
Evidence Where found? Comments Category
Figure 18 Summary of the Main Types of Physical Evidence (continued)
Can provide conclusive evidence and useful intelligence.
Suitable surfaces at scenes should be considered at an early stage. It may be appropriate to consider the use of specialist techniques, including light sources and chemicals, to visualise and enhance marks.
Consider the use of a ballistics expert at the scene to assist in interpretation and proper recovery of items and residues.
There may be a conflict between the recovery of ballistics evidence and other forms of evidence eg, fibres and DNA. Seek advice in such instances, either from the ballistics expert or other relevant specialist. In such instances a joint examination should be carried out between the appropriate experts.
Well-established use of such evidence.
Consider presence of other evidence when examining mobile phones (eg, DNA, fingerprints, drugs) before carrying out examination of the SIM card or phone memory.
It may be advisable to consult the in-house Hi-Tech Crime Unit or Technical Support Unit, as appropriate.
PATHOLOGY
CONTENTS
11.1 Introduction . . . 154 11.2 Related Sections . . . 154 11.3 Developing the Strategy . . . 154 11.3.1 Strategy Content . . . 154 11.4 Implementing the Strategy . . . 155 11.4.1 Key Roles . . . 155 11.4.1.1 Home Office Pathologist . . . 155 11.4.1.2 Coroner’s Officer . . . 155 11.4.1.3 Other Roles . . . 155 11.4.2 Initial Response and Pre-Post-Mortem Actions . . . 156 11.4.3 Crime Scene Attendance . . . 157 11.4.3.1 Briefing the Pathologist . . . 158 11.4.3.2 Taking Specimens at the Scene . . . 158 11.4.3.3 Removal of the Body . . . 159 11.4.4 Liaising with the Pathologist . . . 160 11.4.5 Victim Identification . . . 160 11.4.6 Time and Cause of Death . . . 161 11.4.7 The Post-Mortem . . . 162 11.4.7.1 Post-Mortem Attendance . . . 162 11.4.7.2 Sample Types . . . 162 11.4.7.3 Recording the Post-Mortem . . . 163 11.4.8 The Post-Mortem Report . . . 164 11.4.9 Interpreting Post-Mortem Results . . . 165 11.4.10 Exhibits . . . 167 11.4.11 Defence and Second Post-Mortems . . . 167 11.4.12 Release of the Body . . . 168 11.4.13 Retention of Material after Autopsy . . . 170 11.5 Further Reading . . . 170
11.1 INTRODUCTION
The SIO can draw on the expert assistance of a forensic pathologist to:
•
Advise on the removal of the body to the mortuary;•
Assist with the identification of the victim;•
Assess the size, physique and previous health of the victim;•
Determine the cause of death and, where possible, mode and time of death;•
Obtain and record evidence, including detailed photographic evidence of external and internal injuries;•
Provide advice on the type and dimensions of any weapon;•
Set the post-mortem findings in context against the initial crime scene assessment;•
Suggest early lines of enquiry to the SIO;•
Contribute to the forensic strategy;•
Contribute to the decision-making process throughout the enquiry.11.2 RELATED SECTIONS
Strategies relating to crime scene management (see 9 Crime Scene Management) and forensic science (see 10 Forensic Strategy) are intricately interwoven with pathology. The SIO will need to take account of the objectives and outcomes of all three when developing, reviewing and managing any of these strategies.
Other sections of this manual that are relevant to pathology include: