Investigator's role The role of an investigator is to gather all relevant evidence which either proves or disproves a person s involvement in an alleged offence. Under CPIA our role is define as all police officers have a responsibility to record and retain relevant material obtained or generated by them during the course of the investigation. Overall conduct of investigations is outlined in the MPS General Investigation Policy. Context There is an expectation that incidents will be reported contemporaneously where practicable using the officer s issue pocket book or Evidence and Action Book (EAB). Officers are now commonly going straight to typing there notes straight to statement. This works for CPS, who find it easier to read and the digital process for submitting files. Wherever these notes are made they constitute the original record and must all be completed in accordance with the guidelines as outlined in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984. In any event it goes without saying that any notes must be an accurate account of the officer s actions at the time. Any notes made may be subject to disclosure in accordance with PACE 1984 and / or the Criminal Investigation & Procedures Act (CIPA) 1996 at various stages of an enquiry or investigation. Request 1: "Please provide all MPS policy and training materials (including examples) concerning writing up the report of an incident, to include the use of attribution / source of information." Due to commercial sensitivities we are unable to disclose our lesson plans and material to you in full. We are however able to disclose the relevant lesson outcomes for your information. Initial investigation at scene 1. Explain what Contact Trace Evidence is. 2. State the three phases of initial action that should be taken at the scene of a crime 3. Identify six key aspects when investigating crime. 4. Explain how a crime is recorded and the details that are required for a crime report. 5. Demonstrate the basic principles of good questioning to ensure effective investigation. 6. Demonstrate through role-play / scenarios the basic principles of investigation and good questioning to ensure an effective investigation" Risk Assessment at Scene 1. State the information that should be obtained prior to attending any incident. 2. Outline the meaning of Harm, Opportunity, and Threat (HOT) Assessment for a victim, offender and nature of offence. 3. Identify the priorities and actions required when first arriving at the scene of a crime/incident.
4. Outline actions to be taken when dealing with a victim, an offender and witness at a primary investigation. 5. Identify examples of when a crime may be investigated further. 6. State when a victim should be informed at the outset that the matter will not be taken further. Crime Investigation Role Play Days 1. Explain why it is important to provide an initial response to incidents in accordance with relevant legal and organisational requirements (CoP IVSTA410) 2. State what information is required prior to responding to an incident (CoP IVSTA410) 3. Explain the factors which need to be considered prior to arriving at the scene of an incident (CoP IVSTA410) 4. Explain what actions should be taken at the scene of an incident (CoP IVSTA410) 5. Explain how to complete or update all relevant documentation at an incident (CoP IVSTA410) 6. Describe how to support people involved in an incident (CoP IVSTA410) 7. Identify opportunities for a crime prevention intervention (CoP IVSTA410) 8. Identify whether an offence of theft has been committed (CoP IVSTA401) 9. Identify whether an offence of burglary has been committed (CoP IVSTA401) 10. Identify whether an offence of robbery has been committed (CoP IVSTA401) 11. Identify whether an offence of destroying or damaging property has been committed (CoP IVSTA404) 12. Identify whether an offence of racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage has been committed (CoP IVSTA404) 13. Identify whether an offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 has been committed (CoP IVSTA405) 14. Explain the priorities and actions of the first responder or investigator of an assault (CoP IVSTA405) 15. Identify whether an offence of having an offensive weapon in a public place has been committed (CoP IVSTA406) The learning outcomes for the Evidence and Actions Book (EAB) day are as follows: 1. Identify what an EAB is and when it will be used. 2. Recognise the types of offences that will require completion of an EAB. 3. State report book rules and No ELBOWS. 4. Explain the terms original notes, notes made at scene and original narrative. 5. Explain the requirements relating to written records of conversation with persons suspected of an offence. 6. State the meaning of ADVOKATE. 7. Recognise the use of the Automatic Time Recording (ATR) machine in EABs. 8. Complete an EAB in relation to the given offence. Each student is required to complete an EAB following a practical assessment scenario which is assessed against the following criteria:
Competent Yes No 1.1 General observations: Achieved Not Achieved Is the report legible, clear and concise? Is the report grammatically correct and spelled correctly? Have pocket book rules of No ELBOWS been applied? Has the report been signed and ATR stamped on last line of the notes? Notes: 1.2 Have the following sections of the EAB been completed fully and accurately: Page 1: Front cover Pages 3-4: Persons concerned / arrested Pages 10-11: Exhibits pages Pages 12-13: Witness details Achieved Notes: Not Achieved 1.3 Pages 27-29: Notes at Scene Where practicable notes at scene should always be made. If no notes are made, then justification should be recorded. Are the following included?: Time notes start / complete / location / persons present Allegation Grounds for arrest Necessity for arrest (Code G) Time of arrest Caution Reply to caution Relevant comments / Significant statements Recorded speech initialled by persons present Prisoner endorsing the notes ( I agree that this an accurate record of what was said ) followed by their signature (or a refusal to sign) and countersigned by the police officer? Have the Notes at Scene been ATR stamped? Achieved Notes: Not Achieved
1.4 Page 31: Notes of arrest Achieved Notes: Not Achieved All boxes and sections completed accurately and correctly? 1.5 Pages 33-40: Narrative of Statement This narrative should set the scene fully and should include the information that is included in the Notes at Scene. Statement should begin: On DAY, DATE, TIME and PLACE and should include who the officer was with. It should include what information the officer had before attending the scene. If the call resulted from a CAD message then the CAD number and details should be included. All hearsay should be in brackets. Has the student recorded: The time that they arrived on scene What they saw when they arrived The allegation by the informant (made in the presence of the accused) in direct speech (if applicable) Any response made by the accused in direct speech The time of arrest The words used to inform the accused that they under arrest (including grounds and reason) in direct speech The reply to caution in direct speech And fully justified any use of force (Common Law / Sec 117 PACE or Sec 3 CLA 1967) In relation to Prisoner Transport, has the student explained: How the accused was transported The time of arrival at the custody area If the vehicle was searched before and after the journey Has the student: Ensured that any speech recorded is identical to that in Notes at Scene Fully justified any PACE searches and fully recorded the grounds Achieved Notes: Not Achieved
Included the details of the custody sergeant Stated if the prisoner was present when the facts of arrest were given Professional Discussion / Student self-reflection Assessor: Please record any details of professional discussions held with the student subsequent to your direct observation of their performance. Student: This section is to enable you to illustrate any areas of your knowledge and performance which you feel were not adequately demonstrated in the assessment. This may be due to the assessment scenario not providing you with the opportunity or it may be due to something which you forgot. You may wish to make a record of anything which you would do differently, or additional actions you would include, if you repeated the assessment.
Development Plan Specific Feedback Student s Trainer s Date Action Plan Date to be achieved by: Student s Trainer s Date Date for completion of Action Plan Action Plan Complete Yes / No Student s Trainer s Date
Request 2: Please provide training materials concerning writing up the report of an incident, to include the use of attribution / source of information when completing a report in CRIS. Context The students are taught to navigate through the system, and to understand how records are created and searched. They then participate in a practical trainer-led exercise to complete a report. CRIS is a way of recording Crime Reports, people are classified as Victims, Informants, or Witnesses and recorded respectively. The learning outcomes for the day are as follows: 1. Log on the CRIS via the Aware system 2. Describe the functions of the buttons on the CRIS desktop 3. Generate the Creation screen of a CRIS report using the information given 4. Describe the layout of a CRIS report. 5. Navigate around a CRIS report using the most appropriate method. 6. Enter information concerning an allegation of crime in the appropriate fields of a CRIS Report. 7. Classify a CRIS report using the classification code(s) relevant to the allegation and number of offences alleged. 8. Complete the details of investigation section of a CRIS report according to the agreed standard. 9. Sending and receiving of Memos and how to deal with them. 10. Complete a suspect screen. 11. Eliminate a suspect and carry out the transfer of data from the suspect to the accused screen. 12. Complete an accused screen from the information provided. 13. Complete a property recovery screen. 14. Describe the provisions of the Victims Code of Practice. 15. Run Fixed searches. 16. Explain the purpose of the fields within a Fixed enquiry. 17. Describe how look up tables work in CRIS Enquiries. 18. Explain the purpose of the fields within a Standard enquiry. 19. Use the appropriate wildcard in a Standard enquiry. 20. Describe the functions of the buttons at the top of a Standard enquiry results screen. 21. Locate the hybrid searches in the Central folder on the Standard enquiries menu. At the end of the training the officers are required to produce a CRIS report in accordance with the above guidance.
Initial investigation frontline checklist From Policy Toolkit on Intranet All actions are mandatory Actions First to arrive on scene? Assume supervisory responsibility and update CAD. Ensure details are recorded on CAD of all officers attending the scene. Continually identify, assess and manage risk. (See Risk policy) Provide/request medical aid. Ensure the protection and safeguarding of vulnerable people by assessing all victims/witnesses/suspects/persons in line with the Vulnerability Assessment Framework (VAF). If deemed vulnerable, follow the policing response as per the appropriate toolkit for adults and children. Complete MERLIN database and flag appropriately on CRIS. Establish full details of offence or incident - investigate all alleged offences. Record all investigative actions taken at scene. This should be directly onto CRIS, or first in PNB/EAB/other MPS document then transcribe onto CRIS. Make a note in EAB of anything which may be of evidential value or use in a later enquiry. Record any admissions or significant statements/unsolicited comments. Is this a critical incident, hate crime, domestic abuse or threat to life? Show relevant flags on CRIS report. Take appropriate action where a child is involved/present and any of the Every Child Matters Key Outcomes are not being achieved. Inform supervising officer if the investigating officer is personally known to any suspect or witness. This will result in impartiality and transparency in the way we police. Scenes Secure crime scenes. Cordon off scene where necessary and appropriate (contact Property Services 24/7 through CCC for tents, lighting, power, visual screens, traffic management). Identify, preserve and secure any additional crime scenes. Commence crime scene log at earliest opportunity. Use PNB/EAB if not available. Record venue correctly including postcode, so that hotspots can be identified by BIU. Consider conducting a search of scene/route taken by suspects.
Consider searching for CCTV sources and seize. If you cannot seize, view in situ and make notes. Consider video/photograph/sketch/draw the scene to preserve best evidence. Consider the use of an ICEFLO camera, if available. Where an ICEFLO camera is not immediately available, you must call upon support services via Met CC. (See Use of ICEFLO cameras for further guidance re the use of an ICEFLO camera or a West Point system) Evidence any image or footage of a scene or incident in a MG11, detail the taking, exhibiting and storage of the image or footage and update the CRIS and Investigating Officer. (See Use of ICEFLO cameras for further guidance). Consider the suitability of tasking the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) team. The ANPR Investigations team can be contacted 24 hours a day on 0207 230 (76)0044 Forensics Consult with scene examiner at earliest opportunity. If not available, contact Central Ops. Prevent cross-contamination by controlling scene/victim/suspect/exhibits. Avoid unnecessary disturbance of the crime scene by police/public. Wear gloves. Preserve evidence see forensics toolkit. Ensure correct packaging of exhibits (see Forensics policy). Consider forensic examination of victim(s) and suspect(s). Victims/Witnesses Ensure that all contact with the victim however communicated, i.e. in person, letter, email, SMS or via any another service, is recorded on the CRIS record DETS pages. Any investigative actions from this communication should be taken and also recorded on the CRIS DETS pages Obtain full contact details for victim and witnesses including alternative phone numbers, email addresses, parent/guardian details, school details if applicable. Conduct appropriate local enquiries to trace further witnesses - record your actions and enquiries. See Investigator's role for further guidance regarding language barriers. Identify vulnerable/intimidated victims/witnesses and deal according to their needs. Flag on CRIS (see VCOP policy). Consider obtain medical consent form from victim at earliest opportunity Provide victim care card and explain what will happen next. Ascertain preferred contact method. Offer victim support service and refer where appropriate. Provide them with their CRIS number before you go off duty.
Obtain initial account from the victim and/or witnesses. Record in an EAB or if applicable a 124D. This should not be an MG11. Do believe account without judging them. See guidance on first accounts. Officers must record a summary of what evidence / information each witness can supply - this is recorded in the Officer notes field on the VIW pages of CRIS. Consider obtaining early victim/witness statements. Consider future availability/cooperation of witness. Identify significant witnesses and deal appropriately. If the subject is a child (17 or under) and in local authority / foster care, the initial investigator must ascertain which local authority had original authority for placing them in care. This information must then be recorded in the dets of the MERLIN report. If a MERLIN report is made, this MUST be recorded on the CRIS DETS page. Suspects Ensure suspect description is recorded and circulated including stolen property/vehicles used Consider taking the victim/witness on a drive round to try to identify suspect. Record in EAB in the Street Identification section (pages 22) and follow the given instructions. Consider the correct ID procedures are conducted and identify suspects at the earliest opportunity Ensure appropriate intelligence is gathered on suspects and recorded on CRIMINT. Identify the most prolific and dangerous offenders and take appropriate action. Consider making arrest enquiries where suspects are known and grounds exist. Ensure that you comply with PACE Code G. (For arrest of pupils at schools, please see More Information) Ensure that an appropriate risk decision is carried out and documented prior to any pre-planned arrest or premises search. (see Risk policy) Consider exercising search powers under S32 PACE and S18 PACE where appropriate. Ensure you comply with PACE Code B. Seize any clothing described by victim/witnesses and items used during the commission of offence for possible forensic examination or identification. Complete Premises Search Book. See Complete a premises search book (Book 101). Examine all items in suspect s possession and make appropriate enquiries/necessary checks. If you have the power under PACE 1984, check suspect clothing and property under UV light to identify property marking such as Smartwater. Where suspect arrested, complete an EAB and any other required paperwork to support the arrest and evidence of the offence. Make sure completed paperwork is
made available and handed over. Consult with secondary investigation supervisor at earliest opportunity and comply with actions set. Suspect or person arrested is a CLPD subject (including Police employee)? Comply with CLPD toolkit and record action taken on CRIS. Other Actions Work Related Deaths Protocol - deceased - is there a connection with a work activity? Did the third party or organisation have a duty to protect the deceased or critically injured person? For example, this can include deaths in care, on a construction site or drowning at third party premises e.g. swimming pools. Guidance can be found at: http://intranet.aware.mps/resources/resources_directorate/05_peopleservices/wh o_are_we/peopleservices_operations/safety_and_health_risk_management_team/ Work+related+deaths.htm Record full details of property serial numbers. Consider if this is a false report of crime. See More Information for guidance. Ensure CRIS report is created with comprehensive details of all actions taken on DETS screen. This must be done before you go off duty and in conjunction with NCALT CRIS training packages. Place any other relevant intelligence on CRIMINT e.g. criminal associations, links to vehicles, locations, mobiles, officer safety issues, terrorism information. See Q and As. This must be done before you go off duty unless non-urgent. Take advice from your supervisor. Is there any reason to believe a subject mentioned in this report is vulnerable to becoming involved in Extremism? Email SO15 Mailbox - Local Ops Tasking Unit with details and CRIS number.