CRIME SCENE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES

ORGANISATION CRIME SCENE MANAGER’S ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

GUIDELINES FOR USE BY THE FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS INDUSTRY ON HOW TO MANAGE A ROBBERY CRIME SCENE UNTIL THE FIRST SAPS MEMBER TAKES CHARGE

A. CRIME SCENE MANAGEMENT AS A PROCESS

1.Organisation Crime Scene Manager (OCSM) acts according to the following agreed guidelines for:

  • Stabilising the Crime Scene environment
  • Reporting to the SAPS Control Centre
  • Securing the Crime Scene environment
  • Handing over to the SAPS 1st Member arriving on the crime scene
  • Identifying himself / herself to the SAPS CSM on his/her arrival
  • Identifying himself / herself to the Crime Scene Investigation Team (Blue)
  • Identifying himself / herself to the Crime Scene Processing Team (Green)
  • Assisting the SAPS CSM when requested viz:
  • During Crime Scene Processing and Investigation
  • At a later stage, in support of the ongoing investigation
  • Receiving the Crime Scene back from the SAPS CSM.

2. Pro-active Activities:

  • Ensures security systems, procedures and training are in place
B. ACTIVITIES ON THE SCENE
  1. Identification of Authorised OCSM:
  • The wearing of a 10 cm wide (broad) Red armband which will be worn on the left arm as the agreed identification
  • All staff must be instructed to accept his / her authority

2. Reporting of the Event:

  • Elements of reporting:
  • Alert SAPS/Metro Police
  • Inform them of Access routes which will not interfere with the Crime Scene
  • Alert Emergency Services, if applicable.

3. Securing the Crime Scene:

  • After the perpetrator(s) have left and there is no more danger on the crime scene, activate the Guidelines for securing the crime scene.
  • Close off the premises (e.g. Store entrance)
  • Calm everybody down, and move them away from the Crime Scene.

4. Setting up the Inner Cordon and Command Centre:

  • There will be NO unauthorized access to the inner cordon
  • Cordon off the crime scene area, using the Crime Scene Kit, which contains:
  • Red armband for the OCSM
  • Red and white chevron tape
  • Traffic Cones for:
  • Use to set-up the cordon
  • Marking and protecting evidence
  • White marking chalk for:
  • Marking evidence
  • Marking body positions (Injured and deceased)
  • Surgical gloves (for handling evidence)
  • 1st Aid kit
  • Identify perpetrator(s) access and departure routes and discourage entry into those areas
  • Set up a temporary Command Centre, outside the cordon
  • Where possible establish alternative access routes around the Crime Scene, controlled by the temporary Command Centre, for the use by:
  • SAPS 1st Member
  • Emergency Services
  • SAPS CSM
  • Undertake evacuation of the injured, witnesses, customers and possible suspects from the crime scene
  • Establish designated separate areas for:
  • Witnesses
  • Possible suspects (away from the witnesses)
  • Where applicable take control of Secondary Crime Scene(s)
  • OCSM delegates control to an appropriate back-up resource when applicable

5. Priority Actions:

  • Initiate care of injured staff, customers and public for:
Physical Injuries
  • Trauma Counseling after questioning by SAPS members (There is no legislation that determines the sequence of questioning of victims or suspects at a crime scene)
  • Care of deceased:
  • Do not disturb the positioning
  • Always consider and maintain dignity of victims
  • Use SAPS Pathology approved cover if necessary
  • Maintain the integrity of the body where possible for evidence protection.

6. Handling of Suspects:

  • Citizens arrest :
  • Always consider personal safety first
  • Exercise discretion
  • The Judicial Process has to be understood and guidelines applied.

7. Handling of Witnesses (Customers, public and staff members):

  • Identify yourself as the OCSM
  • Wear the Red armband
  • Encourage witnesses to testify
  • Take them to the designated area
  • Take down names, contact numbers and addresses
  • Limit or discourage conversations between witnesses and/or with perpetrator(s)

8. Handling of Evidence:

  • Handle in accordance with the guidelines provided by SAPS
  • 1st Rule: Protect the evidence matter.
  • 2nd Rule: If unavoidable, remove the evidence with the minimum of handling and mark/note the location.
  • Point out location to the SAPS CSM as soon as possible
  • Attend to ‘after the event’ evidence (e.g. found by cleaners after the event)
  • Handle injured persons and deceased also as evidence material by:
  • Marking positions
  • Noting postures
  • Control of videotapes and films is paramount
  • SAPS remove and takes the original copy

9. Keep extensive notes of the event:

  • Observe and note the number of criminals and their activities
  • Observe and note the characteristics of the criminal(s)
  • Write down every decision and activity, noting names, time and all other related details.

10. Hand-over to the SAPS:

  • Hand over to the SAPS 1st Member immediately after identifying him/her self as the 1st Member
  • Undertake the following:
  • Indicate Access routes
  • Indicate the Command Centre
  • Indicate the Designated holding areas for Witnesses and Suspects
  • Identifywitnesses
  • Identify suspects
  • Indicate positions of evidence
  • Provide information on possible secondary scene(s)
  • Hand-over all notes, retaining copies for own use
  • Identify yourself as the OCSM to the SAPS CSM

11. Scene Processing and Investigation:

  • Be available to assist the SAPS 1st Member and/or CSM during this period

12. Debriefing:

  • OCSM to be available for the SAPS Team debriefing in the Control Centre

13. Scene Return:

  • Accept scene back from SAPS CSM
  • Follow own guideline for normalization of the scene

14. After the Event Evaluation of the Incident:

  • Evaluation of Institution Crime Scene Process
  • Commend correct future actions
  • Correct mistakes
  • Lessons learned will be communicated to the SAPS CSM

15. Media:

  • NO communication with the media.

16. ECR Incident Management System:

  • Complete the applicable Incoident form, from the ECR Crime File
  • Contact the ECR Crime Call Centre, and provide the details requested.

17. Follow-up Activities:

  • Co-operation between OCSM and SAPS Investigating Official needs to continue
  • Exchange of further information that may come to light
  • Obtain suspect names detained by SAPS

Compiled by The ECR Crime Office in conjunction with the South African Police Services and the Banking Council.

July 2002

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