Emergency Scene Management Quiz

Basic Investigations

• At the end of this lesson, students will know how to respond to any incident with potential for arrest. This includes following an investigative sequence focusing on fairness during the process and the outcome.

Think About This

• Students are presented with a scenario: responding to a fist fight outside a bar.
• Students need to determine the steps to take during the initial contact.

Basic Investigation Flow Chart

• After scene is secure: Attend to any medical needs of victims, witnesses, or suspects.
• Protect scene integrity: Use sensitivity when engaging with people at the scene.
• Determine if crime occurred: Understand responsibilities and agency limitations.
• Notify supervisor: Provide information about the crime type, complexity, need for assistance, and whether a detective will respond. Determine if you have jurisdiction. If not, refer to the appropriate agency.
• Identify and separate: Victims and witnesses to reduce contamination.
• Prioritize duties: Interviews, evidence collection, documentation, arrest, or BOLO (Be On the Lookout)
• Top things to remember: Determine victim and suspect relationship, if domestic violence or special classification crimes apply, the instrumentality used, any witnesses, gather statements from involved parties and witnesses, photograph the scene and look for video evidence, determine if physical evidence supports statements, if victim wants prosecution, and complete paperwork detailing all known facts. Execute arrest if necessary or file an at-large affidavit per policy and be ready to testify in court.

Scene Safety

• Approach building entrances carefully, avoiding a funnel situation.
• Identify yourself and purpose clearly.
• Maintain a position of advantage.
• Visually assess the scene, noting the number of people present, their body language, facial expressions, and the presence of potential hazards.
• Screen for potential weapons, animals, or hiding places.

LE711.1. Describe how to approach the scene entrance safely

• Deal with immediate threats first.
• Communicate with sensitivity and respect to calm the situation and maintain control.
• Turn down noise sources and ask bystanders to step away.
• Tend to any medical needs of involved parties.
• Ask if anyone has weapons.
• Control access to the scene to reduce contamination.
• Remain neutral and calm.
• Use verbal de-escalation techniques.

LE711.3. Describe how to engage with persons on the scene

• Identify victims and impartial witnesses.
• Assess the physical, intellectual, and emotional well-being of involved parties.
• Maintain awareness of personal space.
• Collect statements from victims and witnesses.
• Determine the instrumentalities of the crime (items used in the crime).
• Ensure the physical evidence supports the collected statements.
• Determine the victim's desire for prosecution.

LE711.4. Determine if a crime actually occurred

• Understand legal responsibilities for arrest, jurisdiction.
• Decide if referral to the state attorney is necessary.
• Notify supervisors if arrest is made.

Additional questions

• Does domestic violence or special classification of crimes apply?
• Does the victim want to prosecute, or will the state press charges?
• Is paperwork detailing all known facts complete?
• Provide the victim with a case number and the primary officer's name. Explain follow-up procedures.

LE711.5. Determine your course of action

• The remainder of this chapter and the following two chapters provide specifics on procedures for various crimes.

Victims' Rights and Brochures

• Officers are responsible for explaining victims' rights.
• Victims and their families are entitled to: due process, respectful treatment, freedom from intimidation and harassment, accurate and timely notice of legal proceedings (including trial, sentencing), reasonable protection from the accused, prevention of disclosure of information that could locate or harass the victim or family, consultation with the prosecutor, information about all post-conviction processes, return of property, and restitution.

LE712.1. Explain the rights and services available to victims

• Provide information about crime victim compensation.
• Provide crisis intervention services and referrals to community-based victim treatment programs.

LE712.2. Describe the information in the Victims' Rights Brochure

• Provide a Notice of Legal Rights and Remedies.
• Discuss definitions (domestic violence, sexual violence, etc.)
• Outline what Florida's domestic violence laws mean and how to receive help.
• Discuss actions to take if the abuser violates an injunction.

LE712.5. Decide which brochure to provide a victim

• Provide all victims and witnesses with the appropriate brochures.

LE712.3. Describe the domestic violence information in the Notice of Legal Rights and Remedies brochure

Sexual Battery

• Sexual battery encompasses non-consensual oral, anal, or vaginal penetration or penetration by another object. Victims may be embarrassed, fear retaliation or lack faith in law enforcement.
• Define mental and physical incompetence for consent.
• Describe elements and degrees of sexual battery (including age, force, and weapon).

LE728 responses

• Detail a trauma-informed approach to sexual battery investigations.
• Describe how to collect and preserve evidence.
• Mention the importance of coordinating with victim advocates and medical personnel
• Document the specifics of the incident, including the victim's appearance, emotional state, and any injuries.

Responding to Lewd and Lascivious Offenses

• Lewd and lascivious conduct involves sexual activity considered unacceptable by societal standards.
• Coercion (exploitation, bribery, threats, intimidation) is considered crucial.

Responding to Unlawful Sexual Activity With Certain Minors

Sexual Offenses Involving Children

• Understanding child pornography (production, possession, or distribution).
• Procedures for handling electronic devices, ensuring evidence preservation.
• Reporting procedures to relevant authorities (like DCF).

Responding to a Child Abuse, Neglect, or Abandonment Incident

• Understanding different responses of victims to traumatic events (shock, denial, disbelief, anger).

Respond to Child Abuse, Neglect, or Abandonment

• Secure the scene to preserve anything potentially relevant to the investigation, such as the location of injuries.
• Separate the child from the suspect or abuser to prevent additional harm.
• Interview all persons at the scene, considering their emotional state.
• Document accurately and completely, including any injuries, medical conditions, observed behaviors, the suspected abuser's history of violence, and corroborating statements from witnesses.
• Inform the correct authorities about the possible crime(s).

Responding to a Death Incident

• Determining the cause, manner, and time of death.
• Preserving the scene for investigation.
• Identifying the deceased.
• Interviewing witnesses.
• Reporting to the medical examiner.
• Maintaining proper documentation.
• Addressing emotional needs of family and friends.

Responding to Interference with Custody

• Review the legal elements of interference with custody.
• Be aware that this may be related to other crimes such as false imprisonment or kidnapping.
• Determine if a child is in immediate danger.
• Document accurately.

Responding to a Missing or Missing Endangered Person Incident

• Define Missing Child/Adult, definitions of endangered person.
• How to activate alerts (AMBER, Silver, Purple, or Blue).
• Explain the initial procedure for handling missing person situations.
• Identify and document the specifics of the incident.

Responding to Human Trafficking Incidents

• Understand various forms of human trafficking.
• Identify potential victims based on specific signs or warning signs.
• Document accurate details, including potential victim's history and the suspect's role.
• Initiate appropriate response measures.

Responding to a Robbery

• Understand the difference between robbery and other similar crimes, such as theft.
• Document robbery behaviors and relevant factors (specific means, use of a weapon, suspect actions or words that caused fear).
• Understand different types of robberies: sudden snatching, home-invasion, etc.
• Explain procedures for canvassing an area and collecting evidence.

Test your knowledge on effective emergency scene management. This quiz covers essential protocols for assessing a scene upon arrival, communicating in chaotic situations, and ensuring the safety of all individuals involved. Perfect for students and professionals in emergency response and management.