Investigation - Case Management

Level 1

• Understanding of this technical skill needs updating to give the post holder a sound basis to perform the requirements of the role.
• Needs further time in the role to gain experience under tuition and guidance to successfully apply this technical skill to the required level.
• Support and development in this area necessary for successful application of these standards in practical situations.

Level 2

• Understanding of this technical skill needs updating to give the post holder a sound basis to perform the requirements of the role.
• Needs further time in the role to gain experience under tuition and guidance to successfully apply this technical skill to the required level.
• Support and development in this area is necessary for successful application of these standards in practical situations

Investigation - Case Management - Level 3

• Take charge of the initial response and ensure that immediate actions are taken to preserve and secure evidence.
• Identify victim, suspects and witnesses and initiate initial enquiries in accordance with relevant legislation.
• Manage an ethical and professionally led investigation in line with relevant legislation and national and force policies.

Example: Take responsibility for the investigation and review available information or intelligence.

• Ensure the widest parameters of the scene(s) are identified, monitored and adequate measures have been taken to protect them.
• Ensure health and safety measures are being addressed for all persons at the scene.
• Where appropriate attend the scene, take charge, ensuring that you are fully briefed by appropriate officers at the scene.
• Obtain and evaluate the available information, consider likely risks and impact of the incident, and instigate fast track actions as appropriate.
• Ensure a scene log is initiated and maintained.
• Ensure that potential evidence is handled in accordance with recognised procedures.
• Ensure that victim(s), potential suspect(s) and potential witnesses are identified.
• Develop an initial investigation strategy taking into account agreed investigation protocols, and national and force policy.
• Record strategy and all initial decisions and their rationale, using appropriate documentation.
• Appoint investigation team using officers with appropriate skills and experience.
• Brief, task, and delegate to personnel as appropriate, ensuring that they work to the investigation plan.
• Establish a major incident room as appropriate and assess the quality of incoming information to the inquiry.
• Review media strategy with appropriate officer respond to media requests in accordance with strategy.
• Establish a management team and ensure that they are fully briefed to carry out their various roles in accordance with the nature of the investigation.
• Consult specialist advisers and teams as appropriate ensuring they are fully briefed.
• Ensure that family liaison officer(s) have been appointed where necessary, and that a community impact assessment has been completed in accordance with current ACPO policy.
• Ensure that the progress of the initial investigation is documented in accordance with force policy.
• Continually review, evaluate, revise and develop initial investigation strategy in response to the changing nature of the investigation.
• Ensure that all personnel are briefed as to the progress and needs of the investigation, delegating tasks as appropriate.
• Manage the finance and resources needed to support the full requirements of the investigation.
• Respond to developments in the investigation and take appropriate action.
• Identify possible links to other investigations, co-ordinating decisions and actions with other investigating officers.
• Continually review actions taken during the investigation and identify lessons learnt, areas for improvement and opportunities to inform future good practice.
• Ensure that correct procedures are in place for the recording, retention and storage of material in the course of the investigation to ensure integrity and continuity.
• Ensure that the progress of the investigation is accurately documented.
• Ensure all significant strategic and tactical decisions, including rationale, are recorded and communicated to the investigation team.
• Brief and debrief specialist advisers and teams as appropriate.
• Ensure that relevant persons are kept updated as to the progress of the investigation and court appearances.
• Liaise with media, as required during the investigation, in accordance with the defined media strategy.
• Deal with suspects and legal representatives in accordance with relevant legislation and the investigation strategy.
• Where required, liaise with the Crown Prosecution Service and other agencies to conduct a case conference.
• Monitor personnel and welfare issues taking action as required.
• Conduct a review of the investigation to identify areas needing further investigation.
• Follow up additional lines of enquiry and information as required.
• Where a review team have been appointed consider their recommendations, instigating further actions as required.

Investigation - Case Management - Level 4

• Review major investigations using approved methods, to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and policy.

Example: Act as review officer on behalf of the ACPO officer commissioning the review.

• Confirm terms of reference for the review and establish a review team using officers with appropriate skills and experience.
• Brief and task the team to carry out review.
• Ensure you are fully briefed by the Senior Investigating Officer regarding the nature of the investigation.
• Work closely with the Senior Investigating Officer throughout the review.
• Assist the Senior Investigating Officer to determine the progress of the investigation in accordance with relevant legislation and policies.
• Obtain investigation records in accordance with policy.
• Consider visiting significant scene(s) as required to further enhance the review.
• Examine the investigation process including policy decisions made.
• Take advantage of new investigative opportunities having regard for scientific and technological advancement as appropriate.
• Keep the senior management team fully aware of any issues identified.
• Inform the Senior Investigating Officer as a matter of priority, anything requiring immediate attention.
• Document review decisions and actions in the Senior Investigating Officers policy file.
• Carry out the review within time scales as stipulated within the review policy.
• Regularly debrief review team.
• Monitor personnel and welfare issues taking action as required.
• Prepare a review report which identifies actions taken, lessons learned and suggested good practice.
• Share initial review findings with the Senior Investigating Officer and forward any responses to the commissioning officer together with the report.
• Present report to the ACPO officer commissioning the review as required.

Investigation - Case Management - Level 5

• Review current or unsolved major crime investigations to ensure that the investigations are conducted effectively and in accordance with best value principles.

Example: Regularly review major crime investigations to monitor progress against policy and provide recommendations for further action.

• Conduct further regular reviews to ensure previous recommendations have been actioned.
• Visit the enquiry and ask questions of the senior investigating officer to maintain a quality and sharpness of investigation.
• Be available to give advice and direction when requested.
• Review allocated levels of human and financial resources and broker disagreements where necessary.
• Where appropriate make critical decisions regarding the conduct of the investigation including the cost and, if appropriate, terminate the enquiry.
• Commission reviews of unsolved major investigations.
• Authorise the appropriate follow up actions having due regard to strategic issues, community or political pressure.

Investigation - Case Management - Level 6

• Undertake sensitive or high profile investigations in other Forces.
• Achieve the linked enquiry's objectives in partnership with colleagues from other forces, ensuring that effective resources and co-ordination are provided.

Example: Agree terms of reference for the investigation with relevant chief officers or other statutory agencies.

• Ensure investigation is scoped, including resources necessary.
• Ensure that a policy log is opened and continuously updated recording how the investigation is conducted and the reasons for this approach.
• Fully brief team regarding role objectives and professional standards.
• Debrief team regularly to ensure enquiry meets the objectives identified in the terms of reference.
• Identify, recommend and market changes in the approach of the enquiry to relevant chief officers and the other statutory agencies as appropriate.
• Consult effectively with others as appropriate to manage the investigation to a conclusion, in a manner that recognises the sensitivity of the investigation.
• Ensure investigation has been fully documented in accordance with policy and an audit trail exists to detail all actions and the reasoning behind them.
• Assist in post investigation reviews as appropriate.
• Agree the terms of reference for the enquiry with relevant chief officers.
• Ensure the investigation is scoped to ascertain the resources necessary to effectively conduct it.
• Define the objective of the enquiry, the resources necessary and the method of resourcing and funding.
• Ensure a policy log is opened and continuously updated to record how the enquiry will be conducted and the reasons for that approach.
• Identify the necessary skills and knowledge required and ensure the team collectively meets these requirements.
• Oversee processes to ensure effective communication and co-ordination of activity within the team, making optimum use of available resources.
• Fully brief team regarding role objectives and professional standards.
• Debrief team regularly to ensure enquiry meets the objectives identified in the terms of reference.
• Recommend and market changes in the approach of the enquiry to the relevant chief officers, where it is believed necessary for the achievement of the overall objective.
• Lead the enquiry with regard for victim's needs and care, in accordance with legislation and good practice.
• Consult effectively to foster and maintain positive and professional working relationships and achieve a conclusion satisfactory to all partners.
• Ensure the investigation has been fully documented in accordance with policy and an audit trail exists to detail all actions and the reasoning behind them.
• Assist in post investigation reviews as appropriate.