ActionCode|4| : What is an evidence?

In the next " Crime Scene Procedure" we will talk about the investigators roles, the word "evidence" will be used, so it will be better to define it first.
 
   Evidence is a piece of information that supports a conclusion. The classic example is from the law court: means, motive and opportunity. If the defendant had the means to commit the crime (say, owned a weapon to commit the murder), a motive or reason why he or she would want to commit the crime (would inherit $35,000,000 with the victim dead), and the opportunity to commit the crime (was alone with the victim when he died with the expectation of getting away undetected), and the evidence (there's that word again) proved the above, then it would be a reasonable conclusion that the defendant committed the crime. Of course, the court requires more evidence: for example, that the crime was committed with the weapon (which requires forensic and ballistic evidence), and that the defendant was the one that used the weapon beyond reasonable doubt. Nonetheless, the point is clear. For a conclusion to be acceptable as true, there must be evidence to support it.

Scots Law -wikipedia-
   An important part of the Law of evidence is that of corroboration in Scots law. This is a vital element of the law to protect the accused from unjustly being convicted. Each essential fact (facta probandum ) of a case must be corroborated by two independent pieces of evidence and one witness alone cannot corroborate an essential fact, it must be corroborated by a second independent source. Essential facts are those listed in the indictment and used to charge the accused and the sources of evidence come in many forms, such as documentary, DNA, forensic and report evidence or from a scientist or forensic pathologist.
   Corroboration will normally include direct evident, such as an eye witness and could include circumstantial evidence, which is evidence that has a relationship to the crime and can assist in 'proving' the essential fact also known as indirect evidence. Two pieces of indirect evidence which both relate to the same incident, may mean that direct evidence is not required, this is known as evidential facts and they do not require corroboration. The essential facts will vary with each case and the complainer is likely to lose, if an essential fact which is vital to their case cannot be proven.

if you want to read more about "evidence" check this article :  public.wsu.edu/~taflinge/evidence.html
                          ( it's old but well written :) )
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ActionCode|3| : Crime Scene Procedure (part1: first step)

 In the police agent life, there is a lot of difficult moments where he needs to use everything he knows to react correctly and send a criminal to jail. Remember that the criminal's lawyer will be happy to find a problem in the procedure and win a new easy case (and make a lot of money and clients of course). So how the police agent must react to the discovery of new crime scene ??
 The agent need to understand that by approaching victims appropriately, officers will gain their trust and cooperation. Victims may then be more willing to provide detailed information about the crime to officers and later to investigators and prosecutors, which, in turn, will lead to the conviction of more criminals. Remember that you are there for the victim, the victim is not there for you.

 In this "Crime Scene Procedure" first part, we will talk about how a police agent must react to  fresh crime scene from the discovery to the arrival of investigators step by step.

1) Ask for medical assistance:(sometimes when victims are lucky and had not been physically attacked or so traumatized the agent conduct them to police station and skipall these steps)
there are many cases:

first case: If victim is alive and can communicate:in this case the agent need to establish a good contact with the victim when wating to the assistance arrival.The agent can help victims by understanding the three major needs they have after a crime has been committed: the need to feel safe; the need to express their emotions; and the need to know “what comes next” after their victimization. The information in this handbook is designed to show you how to meet these needs.  

• Victims' Need To Feel Safe

    People often feel helpless, vulnerable, and frightened by the trauma of their victimization. As the first response officer, you can respond to victims' need to feel safe by following these guidelines:

1.     Introduce yourself to victims by name and title. Briefly explain your role and purpose.
2.     Reassure victims of their safety and your concern by paying close attention to your own words, posture, mannerisms, and tone of voice. Say to victims, “You're safe now” or “I'm here now.” Use body language to show concern, such as nodding your head, using natural eye contact, placing yourself at the victim's level rather than standing over seated victims, keeping an open stance rather than crossing your arms, and speaking in a calm, sympathetic voice.
3.     Ask victims to tell you in just a sentence or two what happened. Ask if they have any physical injuries. Take care of their medical needs first.
4.     Offer to contact a family member, friend, or crisis counselor for victims.
5.     Ensure privacy during your interview. Conduct it in a place where victims feel secure.
6.     Ask simple questions that allow victims to make decisions, assert themselves, and regain control over their lives. Examples: “Would you like anything to drink?”; “May I come inside and talk with you?”; and “How would you like me to address you, Ms. Jones?”
7.     Assure victims of the confidentiality of their comments whenever possible.
8.     Ask victims about any special concerns or needs they may have.
9.     Provide a “safety net” for victims before leaving them. Make telephone calls and pull together personal or professional support for the victims. Give victims a pamphlet listing resources available for help or information. This pamphlet should include contact information for local crisis intervention centers and support groups; the prosecutor's office and the victim-witness assistance office; the State victim compensation/assistance office; and other nationwide services, including toll-free hotlines.
10.     Give victim's—in writing—your name and information on how to reach you. Encourage them to contact you if they have any questions or if you can be of further help.

• victims Need To Express Their Emotions

    Victims need to air their emotions and tell their story after the trauma of the crime. They need to have their feelings accepted and have their story heard by a non judgmental listener. In addition to fear, they may have feelings of self-blame, anger, shame, sadness, or denial. Their most common response is: “I don't believe this happened to me.” Emotional distress may surface in seemingly peculiar ways, such as laughter. Sometimes victims feel rage at the sudden, unpredictable, and uncontrollable threat to their safety or lives. This rage can even be directed at the people who are trying to help them, perhaps even at law enforcement officers for not arriving at the scene of the crime sooner. You can respond to victims' need to express their emotions by following these guidelines:

1.     Avoid cutting off victims' expression of their emotions.
2.     Notice victims' body language, such as their posture, facial expression, tone of voice, gestures, eye contact, and general appearance. This can help you understand and respond to what they are feeling as well as what they are saying.
3.     Assure victims that their emotional reactions to the crime are not uncommon. Sympathize with the victims by saying things such as: “You've been through something very frightening. I'm sorry”; “What you' re feeling is completely normal”; and “This was a terrible crime. I'm sorry it happened to you.”
4.     Counter any self-blame by victims by saying things such as, “You didn't do anything wrong. This was not your fault.”
5.     Speak with victims as individuals. Do not just “take a report.” Sit down, take off your hat, and place your notepad aside momentarily. Ask victims how they are feeling now and listen.
6.     Say to victims, “I want to hear the whole story, everything you can remember, even if you don't think it's important.”
7.     Ask open-ended questions. Avoid questions that can be answered by “yes” or “no.” Ask questions such as “Can you tell me what happened?” or “Is there anything else you can tell me?”
8.     Show that you are actively listening to victims through your facial expressions, body language, and comments such as “Take your time; I'm listening” and “We can take a break if you like. I'm in no hurry.”
9.     Avoid interrupting victims while they are telling their story.
10.     Repeat or rephrase what you think you heard the victims say. For example, “Let's see if I understood you correctly. Did you say. . .?”; “So, as I understand it, . . .”; or “Are you saying. . . ?”

• Victims' Need To Know “What Comes Next” After Their Victimization

    Victims often have concerns about their role in the investigation of the crime and in the legal proceedings. They may also be concerned about issues such as media attention or payment for health care or property damage. You can help relieve some of their anxiety by telling victims what to expect in the aftermath of the crime. This will also help prepare them for upcoming stressful events and changes in their lives. You can respond to victims' need to know about what comes next after their victimization by following these guidelines:

1.     Briefly explain law enforcement procedures for tasks such as the filing of your report, the investigation of the crime, and the arrest and arraignment of a suspect.
2.     Tell victims about subsequent law enforcement interviews or other kinds of interviews they can expect.
3.     Discuss the general nature of medical forensic examinations the victim will be asked to undergo and the importance of these examinations for law enforcement.
4.     Explain what specific information from the crime report will be available to news organizations. Discuss the likelihood of the media releasing any of this information.
5.     Counsel victims that lapses of concentration, memory losses, depression, and physical ailments are normal reactions for crime victims. Encourage them to reestablish their normal routines as quickly as possible to help speed their recovery.
6.     Give victims a pamphlet listing resources available for help and information. This pamphlet should include contact information for local crisis intervention centers and support groups; the prosecutor's office and the victim-witness assistance office; the State victim compensation/assistance office; and other nationwide services, including toll-free hotlines.
7.     Ask victims whether they have any questions. Encourage victims to contact you if you can be of further assistance.

second case:if victim can't communicate:

then the agent need check the signs of life: Look to see if the chest is rising and falling,Listen for breaths from the mouth and nose, Feel on your cheeks respiration's from the mouth and nose;If these are absent, there are no signs of life; check them for 10 seconds and if absent, immediately start Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (we will talk about CPR later)

2) Confirm or pronounce death (if the victim is dead)

3)Conduct a scene walk through  

4)Take steps to preserve and protect area :
 A possible scene of a crime must be treated with the utmost care so as to not contaminate or destroy evidence. The following minimum protocol will be adhered to in order to protect the scene of a crime:

1.     establish a perimeter to protect the scene
2.     evacuate non-involved persons
3.     prevent unauthorized persons from entering the crime scene or contaminating any evidence
4.     prevent any damage or further damage
5.     maintain an accurate "scene log" to record the names and the times of everyone who enters and/or leaves the scene
6.     for court purposes, record names and times of any individuals who enter the scene who do not have a bona fide requirement to do so and advise the Correctional Manager of this fact
7.     maintain control of the scene until relieved by a designated officer or by police
8.     when another officer arrives to assume control of the scene, verbally confirm this as a fact and record the time and the person’s name and rank.

5)Determine the lead investigator.

  Then normally after some questions the agent can live the crime scene, here the role of investigation group begin. we will talk about it later.


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ActionCode|2|:The BOPE (SWAT:part 2)

"Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais (BOPE; Portuguese: [bataˈʎɐ̃w dʒi opeɾaˈsõjs poliˈsjajs ispeˈsjajs]; literally "Special Police Operations Battalion") is a special forces unit of the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State in Brazil.
Due to the nature of crime in favelas, BOPE units have extensive experience in urban warfare as well as progression in confined and restricted environments. It also utilizes equipment deemed more powerful than traditional civilian law enforcement."-Wikipedia-

BOPE is composed of over 400 members and was created in 1978,it is believed to be one of the most efficient military forces in Latin America due to the nature of crime in favelas, BOPE units have extensive experience in urban warfare as well as progression in confined and restricted environments. It also utilizes equipment deemed more powerful than traditional civilian law enforcement.
   Specialized in aquatic missions, missions transported by helicopters, missions in jungle and mountain environments, and missions using explosives, the BOPE carries out combat missions on an almost daily basis, taking heavy fire from the drug dealers. The most dangerous movement in an urban offensive is that between positions, when the soldiers are exposed to snipers and to automatic-weapons fire while they are clearly visible among the streets and buildings.
    BOPE team members' duties include: performing hostage rescues and counter-terrorism operations; serving high risk arrest and search warrants; subduing barricaded suspects; and engaging heavily armed criminals. BOPE teams are often equipped with specialized firearms including submachine guns, assault rifles, breaching shotguns, riot control agents, stun grenades, and sniper rifles. They have specialized equipment including heavy body armor, ballistic shields, entry tools and advanced night vision optics.

  

ActionCode|1| : S.W.A.T (part 1)

US S.W.A.T Team

SWAT (acronym for "Special Weapons And Tactics") is a commonly used proper name for law enforcement units, which use military-style light weapons and specialized tactics in high-risk operations that fall outside of the capabilities of regular, uniformed police."SWAT" is commonly used internationally, as a colloquial, generic term for these units.
Their duties include: confronting heavily armed criminals; performing hostage rescue and counter-terrorism operations; high risk arrests; and entering armored or barricaded buildings. Such units are often equipped with specialized firearms including submachine guns, assault rifles, breaching shotguns, sniper rifles, riot control agents, and stun grenades. They have specialized equipment including heavy body armor, ballistic shields, entry tools, armored vehicles, advanced night vision optics, and motion detectors for covertly determining the positions of hostages or hostage takers, inside enclosed structures.

  History:

  "The use of teams comprised of specially selected, trained and equipped personnel to resolve high-risk incidents, such as barricaded suspect/hostage situations, was born out of necessity. One of the most influential causes for the origination of these teams was the so-called Texas Tower shootings at the University of Texas at Austin, where Charles Whitman killed fifteen people and wounded thirty-one others on August 1, 1966. Also influential were the violent riots and disorders of the decade of the sixties, many of which involved sniper fire directed at police and civilians.
Among the first agencies to organize SWAT teams were the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, both having established their fledgling teams during the latter part of 1966. The acronym SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) was originated by the Los Angeles Police Department.
The passage of time has proven that the use of SWAT teams is the safest and most effective means of resolving high-risk incidents." [National Tactical Officers Association: ntoa.org]

  Role:

The exact duties differ depending on the agency and jurisdiction involved although all SWAT units can be characterized as being roled with carrying out high risk operations that would normally be outside of the regular law agency's .

  Weapons and Equipment

  SWAT team weapons vary from unit to unit. Entry Teams are typically armed with:

• assault rifle carbines

AR-15 variants like the M4a1, CQBR, Colt Commando
Sig Sauger 551 / 552
HK G36K / G36C

• sub machine guns

9mm HK MP5
10mm MP510
.40 / .45 HK UMP
5.7mm FN P90

• semi-automatic pistols

  Glock and Sig Sauer 9mm and.40 S&W pistols are common, as are
H&K USPs and
Beretta 92F 9mm
Colt 1911 .45acp pistols.
SWAT weapons are often fitted with tactical accessories such as flash lights, laser pointers, foregrips and various optics.

  Tactical gear carried by SWAT teams includes flashbang stun grenades, battering rams, haligan tools, ballistic shields, tactical radios and flexi-cuffs. Clothing includes body armor, protective helmets and eye wear, assault webbing for holding magazines, knee pads, gloves and rappeling harnesses.
     Here are some pictures of S.W.A.T teams around the glob :

BOPE - Brazil S.W.A.T Team

BOPE - Brazil S.W.A.T Team

BOPE - Brazil S.W.A.T Team

BOPE - Brazil S.W.A.T Team

US S.W.A.T Team (With SWAT Robot)

US S.W.A.T Team

Canada S.W.A.T Team

RAID - French S.W.A.T Team

  We will talk about every team and more teams later in next parts...