Homicide

When responding to a homicide, consider the following guidelines:

		First at the scene
		Initial investigating
		Police action
		Notetaking

First at the scene (Homicide)

In centres where special units respond quickly to homicides, the first officer at the scene only secures the scene until they arrive.

In centres where special units are either not available or will take a long time to arrive, the first officer at the scene may investigate a homicide.

1. Treat all deaths as homicides initially.
2. Safety first. Determine whether a dangerous suspect is at the scene.
3. Request assistance, if needed, in order to respond to a dangerous suspect.
4. Secure the scene.
5. Find out what happened.
6. Prevent the loss of evidence.
7. Make detailed notes.

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Initial investigating (Homicide)

A special unit will usually investigate. If a special unit is unavailable, the first officer at the scene should find out what happened.

1. Find out who discovered the body, when, and how.
2. Find out who might be a suspect.
3. Find out whether there is danger from a suspect.
4. Find out who the victim is.
5. Find out whether anyone moved the body.
6. Find out whether the victim said anything about the homicide.
7. Find out whether the suspect said anything about the homicide.

See also Witness or victim interview

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Police action (Homicide)

1. Secure the scene.
2. Maintain continuity of the body and evidence.
3. Search the scene for:
   • evidence
   • other victims
   • suspects
4. Consider roadblocks to find a suspect.
5. Arrest the suspect if you have reasonable and probable grounds.
6. Administer the charter rights and caution if you arrest a suspect.
7. Take photos, videos, and/or notes to describe the scene.
8. Notify the next-of-kin of the death.

See also Crime scene

See also Arrest without a warrant

See also Sudden death

See also Death notification

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Notetaking (Homicide)

Record the following information about the homicide.

1. Being called to the scene:
   • the time and origin of the call
   • the date and time of your arrival
2. The scene:
   • the location of the scene
   • the people at the scene when you arrived
   • how the scene was protected
   • the weather and temperature
   • the sounds and smells
   • the lighting
   • whether the doors and windows were open or closed
   • whether the shades on the windows were open or closed
3. The body:
   • who discovered the body, when, and how
   • a description of the body
   • the location and position of the body
   • the location of any discolouration on the body
   • continuity of the body
4. Interviews and statements.
5. Police action:
   • securing the scene, people entering or leaving the scene
   • searching the scene
   • continuity of the body and the evidence
   • steps taken to apprehend the suspect
   • notifying the next-of-kin

See also Notetaking

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