Boca Raton Police Services Department Special Victims Investigations PDF

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 42.02 SPECIAL VICTIMS INVESTIGATIONS Revised: August 17, 2021 II. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to provide Department employees with guidelines regarding the investigation into crimes involving speci...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 42.02 SPECIAL VICTIMS INVESTIGATIONS Revised: August 17, 2021 II. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to provide Department employees with guidelines regarding the investigation into crimes involving special victims. III. DEFINITIONS: Caregiver: The parent, legal custodian, permanent guardian, adult household member, or other person responsible for the child’s welfare. Child Abuse: Any willful act or threatened act that results in any physical, mental, or sexual injury or harm that causes or is likely to cause the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired. Hate Crime: An act or a threatened or attempted act by any person or group of persons against the person or property of another individual or group that may in any way constitute an expression of hostility due to race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, homeless status, mental or physical disability or advanced age. This includes, but is not limited to, threatening telephone calls, physical assaults, hate mail, criminal mischief, cross burning or destruction of other religious symbols and fire-bombing. Missing Adults: A person 18 years of age or older whose temporary or permanent residence is in, or is believed to be in, this state, whose location has not been determined, and who has been reported as missing to a law enforcement agency. Missing Juvenile: A person younger than 18 years of age whose temporary or permanent residence is in, or is believed to be in, this state, whose location has not been determined, and who has been reported as missing to a law enforcement agency. Missing Endangered Person: A missing person, adult or juvenile, who is suspected of being endangered or the victim of criminal activity. Non-caregiver: Anyone who does not fall into the category of caregiver. Parental Abduction: A juvenile who is missing and not emancipated and in the company of a non-custodial parent. Sexual Assault Counselor: A victim advocate from Victim Services of Palm Beach County who assists the sexual assault victim. Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 1 of 20 IV. PROCEDURE: A. SEXUAL BATTERY 1. STEPS TO CONDUCTING THE PRELIMINARY SEXUAL BATTERY INVESTIGATION: 15.10 a. Provide aid to the injured. b. Protect the crime scene to ensure that the evidence is not lost or contaminated. c. Observe and document all conditions, events, and remarks to determine if an offense has been committed and, if so, the exact nature of the offense. d. Based on probable cause, affect an arrest if it can be accomplished either at the scene or through immediate pursuit. e. Furnish other law enforcement officers (LEOs), through the Communications Section, with descriptions, method and direction of flight, and other relevant information concerning wanted persons or vehicles. f. Obtain complete identification of all witnesses. g. Obtain written or recorded statements from the victim(s), witness(es), and from the suspect, if such statements can be obtained legally. i. All suspects must be interviewed until he/she cancels the interview, or the LEO feels continued efforts are fruitless. ii. It is never acceptable practice to assume that the suspect will not talk to the police. h. Accurately and completely, record all pertinent information on the prescribed report forms. 2. SEXUAL BATTERY INVESTIGATIONS: 15.10 a. The preliminary investigation begins when the LEO arrives at the scene and continues until a postponement of the investigation or transfer of responsibility to a detective. i. A postponement of the investigation or transfer of responsibility shall not jeopardize the successful completion of the investigation. ii. Before the investigating LEO returns to service, he/she shall complete his/her initial field report containing all information obtained Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 2 of 20 at the scene and provide the victim with a copy of the Florida Sexual Violence Rights and Remedies pamphlet in accordance with FSS 794.052. b. The investigating LEO will determine whether a sexual battery occurred within our jurisdiction and will notify a patrol supervisor. i. The patrol supervisor will notify the on-call Investigative Services Bureau (ISB) supervisor. ii. The ISB supervisor will assign the appropriate detective and crime scene technician. c. The detective may conduct the preliminary interview before or after the Sexual Battery Examination Collection Kit (SBECK) whichever is more appropriate. The interview should be in coordination with the victim advocate from Palm Beach County Victim Services. The following circumstances should be taken into consideration in deciding when to conduct the interview: i. The victim is restricted somewhat and could become extremely uncomfortable if he/she has to wait too long for the SBECK. ii. If there was vaginal or anal sex, he/she should not urinate, shower, wash, etc.; if there was oral sex, he/she should not eat, drink, smoke, etc. until after the SBECK. iii. As a general rule, do not let the victim wash, use the restroom, or drink anything unless it is absolutely necessary. 3. SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAM (SART): a. Once the detective determines that the victim should be given a SBECK, he/she will accomplish the following: 15.10 i. During normal working hours, contact Palm Beach County Victim Services to arrange for a sexual assault counselor and sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) from SART to meet at the Butterfly House or the Boca Raton Regional Hospital, if the victim needs immediate medical assistance. ii. To contact a sexual assault counselor and SANE after normal working hours, call the sexual assault hotline. iii. If the victim has injuries which require medical treatment, the LEO shall notify Fire Rescue who will take the victim to the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Emergency Room for treatment of injuries and an SBECK. iv. Upon arrival at the determined facility, the detective will meet with the sexual assault counselor. Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 3 of 20 b. A physician and/or nurse will conduct the SBECK and their observations may be used for evidentiary purposes. 15.10 i. The sexual assault counselor will be present during the examination; they do not make observations for evidentiary purposes; they do NOT testify in court. 15.10 ii. The Butterfly House and/or hospital supplies the SBECK. iii. The Butterfly House, hospital or sexual assault counselor generally supply the SBECK report form. However, having a blank copy of the examination form is recommended. 4. EVIDENCE COLLECTION: 15.10 a. The detective, if there is no crime scene technician at the Butterfly House and/or hospital, will bring the SBECK and examination form back to the Department and any clothes taken into custody and submit them into evidence. b. The detective, if there is no crime scene technician at the Butterfly House and/or hospital, will bag each item of clothing separately in brown paper bags, not plastic, to maintain the integrity of the evidence. c. Only an SBECK that contains a liquid blood sample will need to be refrigerated. d. The detective or crime scene technician shall submit the SBECK as evidence directly to the Property and Evidence Room. If Property and Evidence Room employees are unavailable, the SBECK shall be secured in an evidence locker, or the refrigerator in the case of an SBECK containing liquid blood, located in the hallway leading to the Temporary Detention and Processing Facility. Before leaving the Butterfly House and/or hospital, the detective shall attempt to find out whether semen is present, and note it on the examination form. 5. SEXUAL BATTERY EXAMINATION COLLECTION KITS: a. In accordance with FSS 943.326, SBECKs and other DNA evidence associated with the sexual offense, if a kit is not collected, shall be submitted to the Biological Processing Lab within 30 days after: 27.14 i. Receipt of the evidence, if a report of the sexual offense is made to the Department; or 27.14 ii. A request to have the evidence tested is made to the Department by: 27.14 a) Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 The victim Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 4 of 20 b) The victim's parent, guardian, or legal representative if the alleged victim is a minor c) The victim's personal representative if the victim is deceased b. The victim or the person representing the victim, shall be informed of the purpose of submitting evidence for testing. He/she shall also be informed of the right to request testing by the medical provider conducting a forensic physical examination for purposes of an SBECK or the law enforcement agency that collects other DNA evidence associated with the sexual offense. 27.14 c. Collected SBECKs shall be stored within climate-controlled property and evidence storage areas until final disposition. 27.14 d. Monthly Review of SBECKs: i. The Persons Crimes supervisor shall conduct a monthly review of all SBECKs to ensure the kits and any other DNA evidence associated with the sexual offense are submitted to the Biological Processing Lab within 30 days. ii. The report shall be submitted through the chain of command to the bureau commander. 6. FOLLOW-UP SEXUAL BATTERY INVESTIGATIONS: 15.10 a. Determine if any leads or suspects exist. b. Determine if there is any additional information, via the originating LEO, or LEOs, informants, witnesses, and neighborhood canvasses. c. Disseminate information relative to crime(s) and suspect(s). d. Use the Crime Lab, Crime Analysis Unit, pawnshop/secondhand dealer detective, and field interview cards, and all other Department records to develop and identify suspects. e. Examine all physical evidence. f. If a suspect is identified and apprehended, attempt to secure a documented confession through a thorough interrogation. g. Determine the existence and identity of any co-defendants. h. Conduct a background investigation on the suspect, using FCIC/NCIC, criminal history files, in-house computer, and any other established sources. Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 5 of 20 i. Organize in an orderly fashion all notes, evidence, photographs, supplements, and laboratory findings for court presentation and make the prosecutor aware of all pertinent facts of the case and of the criminal history or background of the suspect, thereby assisting in prosecution. j. Write a supplemental report to the case indicating the status of the investigation. The investigating LEO shall, prior to submitting the report for approval, contact the victim and advise him/her that he/she may review the final report and provide a statement as to its accuracy. In the event the victim cannot be contacted by phone or email, the investigating LEO will send the victim a letter via USPS (United States Postal Service) via certified mail. k. 7. Notify the victim of the final case disposition or any change in case status. SEXUAL BATTERY NON-REPORTING GUIDELINES: a. The Communications Section will receive a call from a Palm Beach County Victim Advocate requesting that a LEO respond to the emergency room and retrieve an SBECK. b. The LEO will meet with the hospital representative, obtain a “Nonreporting ID Number” for the victim, and sign for the SBECK. The non-reporting ID number will be the date of birth and date of exam e.g., 080219601005214. c. The LEO will complete a civil matter (CVL) report, which will include the victim advocate’s name as the complainant. The LEO will provide the victim advocate with the case number. d. The LEO WILL NOT contact the victim for any reason. e. Jurisdiction is determined by the location of the emergency room, not by the location of where the sexual assault occurred. Therefore, jurisdiction will never become an issue for the responding LEO. f. The ISB should not be contacted. g. This procedure ONLY applies in situations where the victim does not want to make a police report and a Palm Beach County Victim Advocate is acting as the victim’s agent. All other sexual assault reports shall be investigated following the guidelines set forth in this standard operating procedure. h. The SBECK and all evidence from a non-reporting victim will be stored for 4 years, after which time the evidence may be destroyed. Palm Beach County Victim Services will notify law enforcement of impending evidence destruction dates. i. Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Non-reporting converted to reporting: Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 6 of 20 i. If the victim later chooses to make a full report and it is discovered that the crime occurred in a different jurisdiction, it will be the responsibility of the law enforcement agency that took the initial report to contact the appropriate jurisdiction. B. HATE CRIMES: 1. HATE CRIMES INVESTIGATIONS: a. The Department will take a proactive role in promoting peace and harmony within the community, and in ensuring that rights guaranteed by State laws and the United States Constitution are protected for all citizens regardless of their race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, homeless status, mental or physical disability, or advanced age. b. When violence, intimidation, threats, or other harassment infringes on citizens’ rights, the Department will use every necessary resource to rapidly and decisively identify the perpetrators and arrest them. c. The Department shall bring the investigative and enforcement resources of the Department into action, as appropriate, following all reported or observed incidents of criminal acts resulting from race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, homeless status, mental or physical disability, or advanced age hatred. d. Special emphasis shall be placed on victim assistance and community cooperation to reduce victim/community trauma or fear. e. The actions taken by the Department in dealing with incidents of prejudicial bias are signs of concern and commitment to the community on the part of the City government and the Department. f. The Department views all acts of race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, homeless status, mental or physical disability, or advanced age violence or threats as serious and will give priority attention to the investigation. g. Employees of the Department will be aware that acts of race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, homeless status, mental or physical disability, or advanced age violence may generate fear and concern among victims and the public and have the potential of recurring. h. The proper investigation of hate crime incidents is the responsibility of all Department LEOs. i. Each LEO must be sensitive to the feelings, needs, and fears of the community that may result from incidents motivated by hate. Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 7 of 20 ii. All Department employees shall report any incident of hate crimes that come to their attention to the shift supervisor. 2. INVESTIGATING LEO RESPONSIBILITIES: a. Review incident reports for patterns of hate crime incidents occurring at the same location or directed at a specific individual or group. b. Respond in a sensitive way to the feelings and needs of the victim(s), to include having a victim advocate respond if necessary. c. Preserve the crime scene and evidence. d. Take every investigative and enforcement action possible immediately. e. If the incident requires an immediate follow up and resources are not available to the LEO, the ISB supervisor shall be called, so a detective can respond. f. Prepare a detailed report and ensure when completing the report that the Hate/Bias Motivated box is documented properly. g. Make a follow-up visit to assure the victim(s) that the police are doing everything possible to reduce fear and apprehend the suspect(s). 3. SHIFT SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES: a. Respond immediately to the scene of all hate crimes. b. Ensure that the crime scene is protected, properly processed, and evidence gathered. c. Ensure that the ISB supervisor has been notified and if an immediate response is necessary. d. Ensure that the proper district commander is notified of the incident. e. Visit the victim(s) as soon as possible to assure them that the investigation is being actively pursued. f. area. Arrange for an immediate increase of patrols throughout the affected g. Assign an LEO to the location in a fixed post position; if in the judgment of the patrol supervisor, the potential for further acts of violence still exists. h. Ensure that physical remains (e.g., paint on walls) of the incident are removed after processing is completed. Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 8 of 20 i. If the remains cannot be removed, the supervisor shall impress upon building or property owners the need for complete restoration as soon as possible. ii. The shift supervisor or investigating LEO will complete the graffiti removal form on the City of Boca Raton website., if applicable. i. Ensure that the incident report contains complete data on the materials used, e.g., cross, literature or paint, including size, construction, wrappings, messages, plus the method of removal and the disposition of the remains. j. Assign the follow up investigation to the ISB and leave a copy of the report for the district commander. 4. ISB PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILITIES: a. Investigate all incidents of racially, ethnically, religiously, physical disability or advanced age motivated crimes. b. Maintain all reports of racially, ethnically, religiously, physical disability or advanced age targeted incidents. c. Maintain liaison with federal, state, and local agencies for intelligence information exchange. d. C. Keep the victim(s) informed of the status of the case. CHILD ABUSE CASES: 1. CHILD ABUSE CASES RECEIVED THROUGH CITIZENS: a. LEOs shall take the initial report of all known and suspected instances of child abuse. b. LEOs shall immediately notify the Department of Children and Families (DCF) of all known and suspected instances of child abuse involving caregivers and non-caregivers. c. The Communications Section will receive a Florida Administrative Message (FAM) from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office regarding a noncaregiver abuse report. i. If the reporter is an LEO from our Department, the public safety dispatcher shall verify that a case number has been generated and the FAM shall be forwarded to the Records Section for inclusion into the case file. ii. If the reporter is not a Department LEO, a call shall be generated and dispatched. Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 9 of 20 d. When it becomes apparent that a child abuse did occur in our jurisdiction, the LEO shall cease further investigation and notify his/her supervisor who will notify an ISB supervisor, if appropriate. e. The immediate safety and medical needs of the child is most important. f. At all times, employees of the Department will work in conjunction with Florida State Statute 119.071(2) (h), which specifically states that no information shall be disclosed to the public that would identify the victim of child abuse as delineated in FSS 827. g. DCF will not investigate reports of child abuse involving non-caregivers. h. The ISB will investigate all child abuse cases according to the procedures in this directive. i. A detective assigned to the Persons Crimes Unit of the ISB will generate a monthly report to check compliance with DCF reporting on caregiver and noncaregiver reports and forward it to the ISB commander 2. CHILD ABUSE PROTOCOL GUIDELINES: a. Department of Children and Families (DCF) faxes are received by the Communications Section as a call. The call shall be entered into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system with a 24-hour delay or an immediate response classification, depending on DCF’s report. b. The on-duty watch commander is responsible for ensuring all faxes received by Communications during his/her shift were faxed to Road Patrol and properly delayed or handled by responding LEOs. The watch commander will notify DCF of all incidents where a request to dispatch was not received. c. Communications Section employees shall contact the watch commander if DCF does not respond within the designated timeframe and the watch commander shall contact DCF. The watch commander shall add notes to the call as to what DCF has told him/her. d. The investigating LEO has 30 minutes to contact the DCF investigator once he/she arrives on scene. LEOs should refer to the Palm Beach County Child Abuse Protocol Initial Response Checklist for guidance in coordinating with DCF and compliance with the protocol (see Appendix C). e. A joint investigation with the investigating LEO and the DCF investigator shall commence. Our role is to complete a thorough criminal investigation into the allegations and the DCF investigator is to complete a child safety assessment. f. All DCF fax calls shall be coded as either Child Abuse (JAB) or Child Neglect (JNE). The only exception would be, if the crime occurred in another jurisdiction Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 10 of 20 and the investigating agency requests our assistance. We shall then fax the case to the other agency for their records. g. The Rapid Response Team (RRT) provides investigative assistance and inter-agency collaboration regarding serious crimes against children. LEO supervisors or the detective responsible for the assigned investigation shall immediately activate the RRT when investigating any of the following incidents: i. Unexpected death or potentially life-threatening injury to a child under 13 years of age; ii. Sexual Battery of a child under 13 years of age which occurred within the past 24 hours involving serious bodily injury; or iii. Any multiple victim/suspect case of child abuse. h. LEOs will complete the Rapid Response Team Information Sheet located on the Forms Directory of the Department Intranet and fax it to the PBC Criminal Justice Commission within 24 hours of requesting response from the RRT. i. If the children are at home at the time of the domestic or dating violence incident, they must be interviewed by the investigating LEO to determine if they witnessed or have any credible information that can assist with the criminal investigation (a statement, preferably recorded, will be obtained). The police report will list the children’s names and the narrative will include the referral to the DCF hotline. j. If the DCF investigator is responding to a domestic disturbance (DDM) case that we initiated, the original DDM case number shall be used for the report. k. The original case number shall be used for any Child Abuse or Child Neglect case that is followed up by DCF. l. The reporter names or any information that would identify the reporter on the DCF faxes shall not be included in our reports. m. The investigating LEO shall forward the fax he/she received from the DCF investigator to Records with our case number included. n. A juvenile’s name shall not be included in the public narrative, but the name can be included in the supplement. o. If at any time a supervisor or LEO experiences any issues with the Child Abuse Protocol, they are to bring the concerns to the Child Abuse Protocol specialist’s attention as soon as possible. The child abuse protocol specialist shall present the issues at the Child Abuse Protocol meeting. 3. CHILD ABUSE SPECIALIST: Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 11 of 20 a. The child abuse specialist shall be a detective assigned to the Persons Crimes Unit. b. The child abuse specialist shall be responsible for the following: i. Attending the Child Abuse Specialist meeting. ii. Conducting training for new LEOs and Department employees regarding the Child Abuse Protocol. iii. Completing a monthly Child Abuse Protocol report to be sent through the chain of command to the division commander. D. MISSING JUVENILES: 1. GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR ALL MISSING JUVENILES: A. The investigating LEO shall take an initial report with all important identifying information about the juvenile including, but not limited to height, weight, age, hair, eyes, scars, marks, tattoos, clothing descriptions, medical problems, etc. (See Appendix A) 15.12 b. The investigating LEO shall notify his/her supervisor who will respond to the scene. c. If applicable, the investigating LEO shall obtain any information regarding the juvenile’s computer or passwords along with any other applicable electronics with GPS-enabled functions. 15.12 d. LEOs shall complete the Teletype Entry Form located on the Department Intranet. The missing juvenile’s information shall be entered into the FCIC/NCIC Computer (Teletype) within two hours after the receipt of the report. 15.12 e. A BOLO with all pertinent information, including the juvenile and suspect information (if applicable), shall be sent via Teletype to appropriate areas and communicated to all on-duty employees via computer and the radio system. f. When appropriate, a public information officer will release information about the missing juvenile through traditional media outlets and social media platforms. g. The investigating LEO shall create a bulletin including the juvenile's biographical information and photograph that will be disseminated to police personnel. h. When appropriate, the investigating LEO shall have the juvenile’s information entered into the Missing Children Information Clearinghouse. 15.12 Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 12 of 20 i. Dental records, if available, shall be obtained for entry into the NCIC Dental File after 30 days. 15.12 j. Detectives shall attempt to obtain a biological specimen for DNA analysis within 90 days if the missing juvenile is not located. 15.12 k. When the juvenile is located or returns, the investigating LEO or an assigned detective shall meet with the juvenile and his/her parent/guardian for a debriefing and the juvenile shall be removed from NCIC/FCIC and a cancellation BOLO shall be sent. 15.12 2. AMBER ALERT: a. The Amber Alert Plan may be activated if the following criteria exist: i. The juvenile is under 18 years of age. ii. There is a clear indication of abduction. iii. The juvenile is in immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death. iv. There must be a detailed description of the juvenile and/or abductor/vehicle to broadcast to the public. A photo will be included, when available. b. To activate the Amber Plan, Communications Section employees shall call the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC) at 1888-356-4774. 3. MISSING CHILD ALERT: a. The Missing Child Alert will be activated if the following criteria exist: i. The child is under 18 years of age. ii. There is no indication that the child has been abducted. iii. A preliminary investigation has concluded that the child’s life is in danger. iv. Descriptive information and a photograph of the child is available. 4. MISSING JUVENILES UNDER ENDANGERED OR UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES: a. The investigating LEO shall immediately contact his/her supervisor who shall respond to the scene and assess if further investigative assistance is needed. If the endangered missing juvenile is not located, the patrol supervisor shall notify Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 13 of 20 the on-call ISB supervisor who shall be responsible for assignment of the continued investigation. 15.12 b. The investigating LEO shall determine the time lapse and scope of endangerment and other circumstances relating to the disappearance. c. The investigating LEO shall coordinate a search for the juvenile with his/her supervisor including the area where the juvenile was last seen. i. If circumstances allow, activate the mobile video recorders when approaching the scene to record vehicles, people, and anything of note for the investigation. ii. Verify the custody status of the juvenile. d. The investigating LEO shall search the residence, even if the investigating LEO is told that the family residence was previously searched. The LEO shall use a K-9 Team, the unmanned aerial system (UAS) team, if necessary and may involve employees from other City departments. e. The investigating LEO shall submit an Incident Report prior to the end of his/her shift. 15.12 f. If applicable, the Amber Alert Plan or Missing Child Alert shall be activated. (See criteria listed in the above sections). g. Information about a possible suspect shall be obtained including, but not limited to, name, physical description, address, vehicle description, possible destination, etc. h. The FCIC code for Criminal Abduction INC3/INC4 shall be used so that the Child Abduction and Serial Killer Unit (CASKU) and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) will be notified. i. If appropriate, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Child Abduction Response Team (CART) will be contacted for assistance. See Appendix B. 5. PARENTAL KIDNAPPING: a. The investigating LEO shall immediately contact his/her supervisor who shall respond to the scene and assess appropriate investigative call-out assistance. The initial incident report will be forwarded to the ISB for follow-up. 15.12 . b. The investigating LEO shall obtain copies of the custodial documents and place them in the case file. 15.12 Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 14 of 20 c. The investigating LEO shall review the custody documents and ensure that they have been properly served to the suspect parent. 15.12 d. If applicable, the Amber Plan shall be activated. (See Amber Alert criteria listed above). 6. MISSING JUVENILES – UNDER APPARENT VOLUNTARY CIRCUMSTANCES: a. The investigating LEO shall obtain information of school and friends, including addresses and telephone numbers, work, and places frequented. 15.12 b. A supervisor shall respond to the scene. c. The investigating LEO shall exhaust all leads in finding the juvenile after taking the initial report. 15.12 d. Investigating LEOs shall make follow up contacts with the complainant at least every three days. 15.12 i. As new leads are developed, they shall be followed up as soon as possible. 15.12 e. A Road Patrol LEO will be assigned the follow-up for the first 30 days. Juveniles 14 years of age and under shall be assigned to the ISB immediately.15.12 f. Upon the juvenile’s return, an LEO shall meet with the juvenile and his/her family to determine possible reasons for the departure and whether any follow-up shall be necessary by the Youth Crime Specialist. 15.12 g. If the juvenile is not located after 30 days, the case shall be forwarded to the ISB for further follow up. 15.12 E. MISSING ADULT INVESTIGATIONS: 1. MISSING ADULTS THAT DO NOT APPEAR TO BE IN IMMINENT HARM: a. If appropriate, the responding LEO shall coordinate a search for the adult with his/her supervisor using a K-9 team and/or UAS team. 15.12 b. The supervisor shall respond to the scene. c. The responding LEO shall record all important identifying information including, but not limited to, height, weight, age, hair, eyes, scars, marks, tattoos, clothing description, medical problems, vehicle description, etc. 15.12 d. Information shall be obtained on friends, including addresses and telephone numbers and information on occupation. 15.12 Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 15 of 20 e. If applicable, the investigating LEO shall obtain any information regarding the missing person’s computer and/or passwords. 15.12 f. Information shall be obtained from friends including the missing adult’s possible destinations, areas frequented and possible reason for the adult to leave. 15.12 g. Officers shall complete the Teletype Entry Form located on the Department Intranet under the Communications page. 15.12 h. The missing adult shall be entered into the FCIC/NCIC (Teletype) system within two hours after the receipt of the report. 15.12 i. A BOLO with all pertinent information shall be sent. j. A Road Patrol LEO will be assigned the follow up for the first 30 days. 15.12 i. The LEO shall ask the family to notify the Department if the person returns. ii. If the adult is not located after 30 days, the case shall be forwarded to the ISB for further follow up. k. Dental records, if available, shall be obtained for entry into the NCIC Dental File after 30 days. l. Detectives shall attempt to obtain a biological specimen for DNA analysis within 90 days if the missing person is not located. 15.12 2. MISSING ADULTS UNDER ENDANGERED CIRCUMSTANCES: a. If the missing person is endangered, e.g., suicidal, mentally unstable, in need of medical attention, etc., the investigation shall include the following: 15.12 i. The investigating LEO shall determine the time lapse and scope of endangerment. 15.12 ii. The investigating LEO shall obtain information for the missing person report including, but not limited to, the following: 15.12 Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 a) Initial descriptions b) Possible destinations c) Mental stability d) Personal habits e) Medications Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 16 of 20 f) Health conditions g) History of disappearing iii. The investigating LEO shall notify the shift supervisor that there is an endangered missing person. 15.12 and his/her supervisor shall respond to the scene. iv. If the disappearance is recent, the investigating LEO shall coordinate a search with his/her supervisor that includes the immediate area, possible routes the missing person may have taken, and contacts, including friends and relatives. v. LEOs may request additional Department resources through his/her supervisor to include K-9, UAS team, marine units, and outside resources such as the Fire Rescue Services, helicopter, etc. to aid in the search. vi. If the endangered missing person is not located, the patrol supervisor shall notify the on call ISB supervisor who shall be responsible for assignment of the follow-up investigation. vii. The report header shall be listed as Missing Person/Adult Endangered. viii. LEOs shall complete the Teletype Entry Form. 15.12 ix. A Teletype entry shall be completed and a BOLO sent to appropriate areas within two hours after the receipt of the report. 15.12 x. The case shall be forwarded to the ISB. xi. Dental records, if available, shall be obtained for entry into the NCIC Dental File after 30 days. xii. Detectives shall attempt to obtain a biological specimen for DNA analysis within 90 days if the missing person is not located. 15.12 3. MISSING ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA: a. The investigating LEO assigned the call shall notify his/her supervisor who shall respond to the scene. The LEO will be responsible for gathering information for a report, and to determine if additional units or other assistance (e.g., Fire Rescue Services, K-9, UAS team, helicopter, etc.) will be necessary to assist in the search. 15.12 b. If a person is determined to be suffering from Alzheimer’s or has symptoms of dementia, the investigating LEO shall notify the 24-hour Alzheimer’s Crisis Response Service at Alzheimer’s Community Center, – (800) 394-1771. Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 17 of 20 c. The investigating LEO shall conduct the initial search of the immediate area including unpopulated areas, fields, woods, ditches, waterways, and brush areas. d. If the initial search is unsuccessful, LEOs shall conduct additional searches within a mile radius of the last point of contact before expanding the area. e. If the missing person is not located, the patrol supervisor shall notify the on-call ISB supervisor who shall be responsible for assignment of the follow-up investigation. f. If the person was operating a vehicle and the vehicle was abandoned, the search shall be conducted within a mile radius of where the vehicle was located. g. met: The Silver Alert System may be activated if all the following criteria are i. The missing person is 60 years of age or older. ii. Under extraordinary circumstances when a person age 18 to 59 has irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties and it has been determined the missing person lacks the capacity to consent, and that the use of dynamic message signs may be the only possible way to rescue the missing person. iii. The missing person has an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties (e.g., Alzheimer's disease or dementia) that has been verified by investigating LEOs. iv. The person must be traveling by motor vehicle with an identified license plate number or other vehicle information that has been verified by law enforcement. h. A Silver Alert activation must be authorized by a supervisor. i. The Silver Alert System shall be activated as soon as possible after it is determined that all the above criteria have been met by contacting the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC) and providing the following information: i. Verified vehicle description and tag number. ii. Information that a statewide BOLO enforcement/911 centers has been initiated. iii. j. to other law Information that a regional media alert has been initiated. LEOs shall complete the Teletype Entry Form. 15.12 k. A Teletype entry form shall be completed and a BOLO sent to appropriate areas within two hours after the receipt of the report. 15.12 Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 18 of 20 l. Dental records, if available, shall be obtained for entry into the NCIC Dental File after 30 days. m. Detectives shall attempt to obtain a biological specimen for DNA analysis within 90 days if the missing person is not located. 15.12 F. MONTHLY REVIEW OF MISSING PERSONS CASES: 1. A detective shall conduct a monthly review of all missing persons cases to ensure all cleared cases are cleared from FCIC/NCIC and determine if any cases should be cleared from FCIC/NCIC. G. VULNERABLE ADULT INVESTIGATIONS 1. DEFINITIONS: a. For the purpose of this guideline a vulnerable adult is defined below: i. “Elderly Person “ means a person 60 years of age or older who is suffering from the infirmities of aging as manifested by advanced age or organic brain damage, or other physical, mental or emotional dysfunction, to the extent that the ability of the person to provide adequately for the person’s own care or protection is impaired. (FSS 825.101) ii. “Disabled Person” means a person 18 years or age or older who suffers from a condition of physical or mental incapacitation due to a developmental disability, organic brain damage, or mental illness, or who has one or more physical or mental limitations that restrict the person’s ability to perform the normal activities of daily living. (FSS 825.101) 2. INVESTIGATIVE GUIDELINES: a. The DCF Adult Protective Investigator (API) will immediately notify and send a copy of the initial intake report, to the Department when there is reason to believe that abuse, neglect, or exploitation has occurred and was perpetrated by a party other than the elderly and/or disabled vulnerable adult. b. The API shall immediately notify the Department in writing when there is reasonable cause to suspect that an elderly and/or disabled vulnerable adult (victim) has died as a result of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. c. The watch commander shall review the abuse report and determine whether a criminal investigation is warranted. If a criminal investigation is initiated, the criminal investigation shall be coordinated with the API and detective to proceed concurrently with, and not be hindered by, the protective investigation. d. Evidence gathered in criminal investigations shall be handled according to the Department’s written directives governing the collection and storage of property and evidence. Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 19 of 20 e. If the criminal investigation is deemed warranted by the investigating LEO, the elder abuse prosecutor of the Office of the State Attorney shall be notified immediately. This will allow for issues including the victim’s capacity to testify and evidence collection to be coordinated as early as possible in the investigative process. f. If the investigating LEO determines that a criminal investigation is deemed warranted as a result of the death of a vulnerable adult, the Major Violent Crimes Division of the Office of the State Attorney shall be contacted immediately. g. While working a case jointly, the investigating LEO and the API will share information whenever possible. Any reports received from DCF will be part of the permanent file and shall be exempt from production pursuant to FSS 119.07(1) and may not be disclosed except as specifically authorized by FSS 415.101415.113 in accordance with FSS 415.107(1). h. If the investigating LEO requests that the API not interview the possible responsible person, that request shall be honored. The API will document the request and the reason for the request. The investigating LEO will agree to advise the API when the interview may be conducted and shall, when appropriate, share the results of any interview conducted. i. The API shall be responsible for assessing the immediate safety of the elderly and/or disabled vulnerable adult. If the API determines the elderly and/or disabled vulnerable adult needs emergency protective services, the Department may be called for assistance. If the API determines that law enforcement assistance is needed, it shall be considered a priority call and the LEO shall meet the API at the location of the elderly and/or disabled vulnerable adult within 30 minutes. If it is more than 30 minutes, the Department shall contact the API with the estimated time of arrival. j. The investigating LEO will provide the API with a copy of the investigative report upon request once the case has been closed. 3. JURISDICTION: a. If it is established that the crime occurred in another jurisdiction and the investigating agency requests our assistance, we shall initiate an assist other agency report and fax the case to the other agency for their investigation. Approved: Michele Miuccio Chief of Police Effective: March 25, 2011 Revised: August 17, 2021 Date: Special Victims Investigations SOP No. 42.02 Page 20 of 20