Crime Scene Management

CRIME SCENE MANAGEMENT:

These rules apply to all crime scenes but the most frequent scenes are housebreakings, robberies and hi-jackings.

HOUSE ROBBERIES AND HOUSE BREAKING AND HI-JACKINGS

Where house robberies, hijackings or break-ins are concerned:

§   Don’t touch anything;

§    Make sure that your own vehicle does not obstruct traffic, police or emergency vehicles. (NB!!)
§  Cordon the area off if possible.
§  Do not allow members of the public or onlookers on the scene.

§  Preserve finger prints. Never touch any exhibits whatsoever:

-         When necessary to move items to a safer place (e.g. where rain or water can wash away finger prints on exhibits) or to preserve them take care not to destroy finger prints:

-         Do not pick anything up by using a cloth or gloves as this erases the prints. Rather use braai tongs, pliers or improvise two sticks (like Chines chop sticks)

§  Don’t move around, your footprints could contaminate the scene;

§  Establish whether the police have been notified – if not, this must be a priority;

§  Supply the police with a list of possible witnesses when they arrive;

§  Find out if anyone saw anything suspicious, information of vehicles must be aired immediately;

§  Get descriptions of the robbers where possible, and broadcast this information;

§  Take photographs with your cellphone without moving around too much, if this is not possible, rather leave it. (NB:- This should not be done if the police are already on the scene – we do not want to be perceived as usurping the duties of the police.);

§       Do not eat or smoke on or near the scene.  This can contaminate the scene or destroy DNA information. 


General:
§  Establish which security company is used by the victim;

§  Establish whether building operations are taking place in the area, get the names of the contractors and take photos of their advertising boards if there are any;

§  Were any hawkers in the area?

§  Does the victim utilize garden services?  If so, get their details;

§  Report all of the above and any other relevant information to the CPF member responsible for the incident/occurrence book.

The most senior member will always take charge of an incident or scene

-           Where necessary the most senior or experienced member lending assistance will take charge of the scene and other members must please accept this as standard practice, it is in everyone’s interest.  (This member can ask for advice and assistance from our leaders where he is uncertain);

-          The most senior / experienced member at the scene must try to prevent that forensic evidence like fingerprints, footprints and blood splatter be contaminated by other members or citizens moving around unnecessarily;

-          Never take a suspect back to the scene of a crime, as they could then say that their fingerprints got onto the scene at that time.  (Thus keep them off the scene if possible);

-          The police must be contacted if this has not yet been done;

-          Radio contact must be maintained with Control (Control = The most senior person not on the scene, but with a strong radio signal);

-          Everybody must remain calm – only the most senior / experienced person on the scene uses the radio;

-           Avoid unnecessary chatter on the radio.  The channel must remain open;

-          The most senior member decides whether an alternative channel must be used.  He will broadcast the rules of such use;

-          An alternative channel is useful to repeatedly broadcast information pertinent to the situation rather than using the general channel;

-          The most senior person will decide whether it is necessary to take photos and will try to do this without agitating others or contaminating the scene.  (Photos are important as evidence.)  Rather take too many than not enough.  Use your cellphone but, there are two important exceptions:-

            * This should not be done if the police are already on the scene;

* Do not take photos of a deceased person unless absolutely necessary. We consider it to be unprofessional and insensitive.

-          In further emergency a member is authorized to interrupt any chatter by calling “Break! Break!” on the radio.  Everyone will then cease talking to allow you to explain the situation.

Interaction with the SAP on the scene:

-          The police or metro will take charge of the scene upon their arrival;

-          Please request the name of the SAP or Metro member on the scene, make a note of it and pass the information along to Control;

-          The most senior person must give a written list of names and contact numbers of  members of the police on the scene or those who could have witnessed something in the area.  (This procedure must never be deviated from)

-          Always request a SAP case number when practical.  (It starts with the letters MAS or CAS and appears as follows:  MAS 102/08/2010 – where the last two columns represent the month and year)

-          Don’t allow a lazy police officer to talk you or the victim or complainant out of laying a charge.  (It does occur, and, should this indeed occur , inform CPF Control)

-          Hand over any items found on suspects along with any other evidence to the police after you have taken note of the relevant officer’s name and have given it to Control.

        Avoid any contact with blood and do not move injured persons

-           Where people are covered in blood or injured it is imperative to avoid contact with blood by using rubber gloves or something similar;

-          Contact emergency services on your cellphone by dialing 112 or 147;

-          Never move an injured person or remove his crash helmet unless it is absolutely necessary.  Neck injuries could be aggravated.

-          Leave first aid to the professionals unless you have experience or it is absolutely necessary.

 (We shall deal with accident scene management in another training module)

Assault must never take place:

-          Severe action will be taken against any member of CPF implicated in assault or racism of an arrested person.

-          Assault and racism is strongly condemned as it causes embarrassment to other law abiding members. Illegal and vigilante action can lead to law abiding members resigning from the CPF. It will not be tolerated.