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
- Introduce yourself to victims by name and title. Briefly explain your role and purpose.
- 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.
- 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.
- Offer to contact a family member, friend, or crisis counselor for victims.
- Ensure privacy during your interview. Conduct it in a place where victims feel secure.
- 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?”
- Assure victims of the confidentiality of their comments whenever possible.
- Ask victims about any special concerns or needs they may have.
- 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.
- 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
- Avoid cutting off victims' expression of their emotions.
- 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.
- 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.”
- Counter any self-blame by victims by saying things such as, “You didn't do anything wrong. This was not your fault.”
- 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.
- Say to victims, “I want to hear the whole story, everything you can remember, even if you don't think it's important.”
- 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?”
- 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.”
- Avoid interrupting victims while they are telling their story.
- 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
- 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.
- Tell victims about subsequent law enforcement interviews or other kinds of interviews they can expect.
- Discuss the general nature of medical forensic examinations the victim will be asked to undergo and the importance of these examinations for law enforcement.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- establish a perimeter to protect the scene
- evacuate non-involved persons
- prevent unauthorized persons from entering the crime scene or contaminating any evidence
- prevent any damage or further damage
- maintain an accurate "scene log" to record the names and the times of everyone who enters and/or leaves the scene
- 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
- maintain control of the scene until relieved by a designated officer or by police
- 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.
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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