This week we look at issues to consider when searching premises

In this series we look at various aspects of life as an SIO. This includes the necessary skill sets for the successful SIO, the management of serious crime investigation and specific elements of investigative practice from initial response through crime scene examination and investigative strategies to dealing with suspects and the media. The articles are excerpts from the 2nd edition of Blackstone's, the 'Senior Investigating Officers' Handbook', written by two highly experienced SIOs (see 'About the Authors' at the end of the article).

Premises Searching

It is highly likely during the course of an investigation that there will be a requirement to conduct extensive searches of premises that may or may not constitute crime scenes but should be approached as such until proven otherwise. These may be as crime scene searches or as part of an arrest or general search strategy. In most cases premises searches are simpler because they are easier to contain and secure; they may not present the same challenges as some outdoor scenes, eg rural and remote searches.

If an in-depth and thorough search of premises is required then a PolSA-led team should be considered. This will ensure a high assurance search is conducted once the forensic teams have finished. The SIO should also consider involving experienced detectives and maybe even a supervisory detective of sergeant or inspector rank who, although would not physically search, would at least be on hand to advise and guide the search team through their more extensive knowledge of the case. An exhibits officer will also be required.

Even if the search is not forming part of a designated crime scene, a CSI should, whenever possible, be deployed with search teams to accurately record and sometimes photograph the evidence and advise on the appropriate recovery, packaging, transportation, and storage of items.

The type of premises and incident under investigation will determine what the search strategy should entail. For example, bathrooms and kitchens are popular places to wash away forensic traces or dismember bodies. Therefore, baths, sinks, and shower traps should be examined for blood or flesh deposits, together with towels, soap, and shampoo bottles. Checking for any signs of a struggle or disturbance may also be important.

When recovering clothing and items against set criteria there needs to be a clear policy to determine what should/should not be seized. For example, if checking footwear, it is advisable to take photographs or drawings to compare against otherwise seizing too many exhibits may result. Also important is working to a clear examination and retrieval strategy.

For instance, when recovering clothing that is to be forensically packaged and sealed, best practice is to have it photographed in situ prior to recovery, and then front and back photographs prior to packaging.

Although time-consuming, this negates the need to submit numerous items for assessment to the forensic service providers, and allows the SIO to prioritize certain items. This is because items are difficult to see or describe once in bags that should be opened only under laboratory conditions.

KEY POINTS

1. A useful technique to consider is using someone who is familiar with the premises to go through them with the SIO (or nominated person) bit by bit (being careful about any possible contamination issues). They can help identify anything that is out of place, missing, unusual, or suspicious or any factors inconsistent with the lifestyle of the victim.

2. Some areas of premises may require specialist equipment to search below floors or behind walls, eg geophysical instruments.

If searching dwellings where there may be innocent third parties and occupants it may be worth considering a displacement plan. Sometimes people who have nothing to do with criminality get caught up in traumatic events because of their unfortunate association with or in relation to suspects and offenders. It is worthwhile anticipating this in advance and having a plan to minimize the disruptive effects of searches where they impact on others.

Note: This may also provide a suitable opportunity to speak to people who may be able to assist the enquiry.

Checklist—Primary crime scene search of premises(ie scene (1))

(Note: Not all these may be applicable, depending on the requirements of the search, and the list is not exhaustive.)

• Ensure a scene log has been commenced.
• Conduct a review of the security and utilize cordons and/or security measures where necessary.
• Conduct a health and safety risk assessment.
• Determine power of entry, ie warrant/PACE, etc.
• Premises may need to be searched and cleared for suspects prior to searching or examination.
• Look for signs of any forced entry.
• Consider offender’s route to and from the premises. Consider use of search trailing dog or trained police tracker.
• Establish a common approach path into and out of the premises.
• Determine personal protective equipment (PPE) policy, ie face mask, oversuit, gloves, overshoes.
• Use stepping plates where applicable (beware of slippery modern flooring).
• Consider utilities, gas, water, electricity; include in safety check.
• Consider additional scene lighting.
• Consider visual/still/aerial/360-degree photography.
• Consider whether a crime scene surveyor is required (to produce detailed plan).
• Decide which forensic experts (eg entomologist) may be required.
• Decide whether a forensic pathologist is required.
• Record whether lights on or off, heating on or off, curtains/ blinds open or closed.
• Record door and window positions.
• Consider use of specialist trained detector dogs to search for human blood, human cadavers, drugs, firearms, explosives, or accelerants.
• Check any mail or newspapers, diaries, letters, photographs, newspaper cuttings (eg linked to crime under investigation), computers, personal organizers, mobile phones, etc. Photograph them in situ.
• Consider footwear impression examinations.
• Look for signs of any disturbance in all interior places.
• If obvious traces of blood, arrange blood pattern analysis, ie drops, contact marks, cast-off, splatter, or whether any fingerprints or footwear impressions in blood (may need expert scientific blood interpretation).
• If weapons present, consider recovery policy (eg DNA preservation).
• If any firearm present, need to render safe. Then arrange joint examination by CSI and firearms officer and/or ballistics expert.
• Set a fingerprint examination policy.
• Set clothing recovery policy and consider examination and/ or photographing prior to being packaged and labelled.
• Determine computer type device and mobile telephone recovery policy (seek advice beforehand from experts).
• Check for vehicles or keys that may belong to associated vehicles (and search in situ or transport to undercover examination area). Check for soil deposits in footwells, boot, and wheel arches.
• Check any washing machines and laundry baskets (consider tests on handles and powder boxes, eg for blood traces or soil).
• Examine baths, sinks, shower traps, towels, soap, shampoo bottles for evidence of clean-up activity, plus door handles, mats, and carpets for forensic traces.
• Examine curtains (transfer of samples after opening/ closing or for use by offender in cleaning themselves) and bedding for traces (eg sexual partners).
• Recover any cigarette ends or anything else that may contain traces of DNA of visitors.
• Search under floorboards, in loft, behind bath panels, inside water cisterns, and in other likely concealed areas.
• Search all rubbish and dustbins.
• Search the exterior of premises that are connected to it(gardens, outhouses, sheds, garages, roof, guttering, voids, or sub-surface areas, etc)—this may require specialist geophysical equipment (eg metal detectors, magnetometer, electromagnetic surveys, ground penetrating radar, or microgravity).
• Check for indicative or collateral material and lifestyle indicators, eg drugs, sexual fetishes, magazines, or any other significant or unusual artefacts or items.
• Check what possessions are in the premises and who they belong to (may need inventory of all items in premises or certain areas or rooms to link people evidentially to items).
• Look for items that are clearly missing, eg in missing person cases the shower curtain may have been used to wrap up the body; damaged or missing furniture may be indicative of suspicious circumstances, eg severed cables or missing telephones.

Case study—House search evidence

During an enquiry into a missing person who had a criminal background, a house search was conducted at an address linked to a criminal associate. The officers conducting the search were briefed to look for any items that might belong to the missing person, eg mobile phone, jewellery, personal belongings, or any evidence of a struggle or fight.

The search team was provided with a full briefing as to the circumstances of the enquiry. During the search, one officer found a length of rope beneath the kitchen sink which he seized as an exhibit. He believed it might have been used for incapacitation, although there had been no specific information to suggest this had occurred.

When the body of the victim was found six weeks later, his hands were tied in front with a short piece of rope. The cut ends were discovered to be an exact microscopic match to those on the rope found during the earlier house search, from which the piece had been cut. This proved a damning piece of evidence against the offender who was convicted after a lengthy Crown Court trial and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Detective Superintendent Tony Cook was a CID officer with Greater Manchester Police for over 31 years until his retirement in 2009. During his time as an SIO, he led a number of high profile investigations including operations into gangland violence at Moss Side, the Bolton murder of a teenage girl in 2002, and the Denton strangling case. He was a trained assessor for promotion and a qualified Authorising Officer under RIPA. Tony received 14 commendations and a first-class BSc Honours degree in social sciences and a Diploma in Social Policy & Criminology from the Open University.

Andy Tattersall, formerly Detective Superintendent in Greater Manchester Police on the Force Major Incident Team, retired in 2007 after 33 years service and became the first ever Support Staff SIO in charge of a new Homicide Support Unit. With over 29 years in CID at all ranks Andy received the Homicide Working Group National Award for his Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Homicide in November 2006.

To see more details about the Senior Investigating Officers' Handbook, or to purchase a copy, click here