Initial Response to a homicide in the confines of              Manhattan's 33rd Precinct.

Prologue

This page is meant to provide an insight into the initial stages or the first crucial hours of a homicide investigation in the NYPD. Although it is fairly thorough regarding the steps taken by detectives during these crucial first hours of a homicide investigation, not all may be applicable in all homicide investigations. Homicide investigations are extremely complicated and each investigation harbors it own characteristics. Some recommendations are redundant only to underscore their importance.

Strategy

    The New York City Police Department's strategy to confront just about every phase of policing, from routine patrol to riot control is manpower. The NYPD simply floods a troubled precinct or manages crowd control by tapping into its most valuable resource, a manpower base of over 35,000 police officers and detectives.

      Homicide and other major investigations are no different. They usually commence with a sizeable initial response and can follow-up with a massive investigation. With an investigative force of over 6,000 detectives, the NYPD will, depending on the severity and maybe the notoriety of the case, assign anywhere from fifteen to over a hundred detectives. A round-the-clock investigation may run for several days or several months, usually winding down only after an arrest is made or "all leads exhausted" and the case is "dead". As advantage is taken of the available manpower,  numerous detectives are assigned  at the scene, at a hospital, at  the precinct, hunting  suspects,  locating witnesses,  notifying family, and often all simultaneously. There will be other detectives working behind the scenes in  a supporting role (conducting computer checks,  property clerk, the police lab, obtaining warrants, etc). There may also be detectives on standby for assignments as the investigation develops new leads. While the initial investigative team  may number about four or five detectives and a sergeant from the Precinct Detective Squad, numerous assisting detectives will join them, specialized detectives as well as uniformed personnel.  The initial response team  will assume responsibility for the case for the duration of the investigation. The detectives that are  brought in from the many specialized units or other commands  may sometimes be assigned temporarily for many days even weeks to assist  with the investigation.  Time is a major factor in the ability to bring a homicide investigation to a successful conclusion and the NYPD's Detective Bureau is well aware if it.

Manpower, the NYPD's policing strategy.

The Notifications

       Although communications between uniformed patrol and central communications are usually monitored by detectives, the notification of a homicide or major incident is often received at the squad office from either the first officers on the scene via landline, central communications (radio), or a call from the Stationhouse Desk Sergeant (front desk). The detective receiving the notification will note who made the notification, the time and how received. Upon being notified, further notifications are initiated by the squad detectives prior to responding. These notifications will be for numerous reasons.  A notification to the Detective Boro dispatch will allow the dispatcher to see what detectives are available at other commands for reassignment to the location of occurrence, the dispatcher may also transmit alarms and  notify high ranking officials. The detectives will make other  notifications,  usually but not limited to:

• Squad Commander, or covering supervisor if no supervisor is present at the squad

• Detective Boro Dispatcher

• Chief of Detectives

• Other ranking supervisors 

• Crime Scene Unit

• Homicide Squad, Robbery, Sex Crimes and other units

• Medical Examiner

• District Attorney's Office (if someone in custody or arrest imminent)

Members of NYPD's 33rd Detective Squad.

Multiple stab wounds cause of death.

        Since a response to a homicide should be expeditious and well orchestrated, the entire squad will be preparing for the response upon receiving the notification. While one detective is making the required notifications, another detective gets all the necessary basic equipment ready for the response to the crime scene . The initial detectives responding to the crime scene will not process the scene rather leaving this most crucial task to highly trained crime scene specialists*. This equipment usually consists of :

• Printout of 911**

• Vehicle keys and vehicle assignment

• Radios with fresh batteries

• Notepads

• Checklists

• Legal sized paper & pencil (sketch)

• Camera and film

• Gloves

• Flashlights

• Crime scene tape

• Crime scene Signs

* The NYPD maintains  highly trained detectives assigned to the Crime Scene Unit and thus initial response detectives will not process the scene, rather identify the crime scene and safeguard it pending arrival of the CSU. The CSU will  respond with their specialized equipment.

** The printout of 911 calls before and after time of occurrence can yield a treasure of information that can be useful. A witness who called 911 may deny being a witness during a canvass. A prior 911 call may reveal an incident prior to, but related to the homicide. It should be brought along and perused prior to commencing a canvass.

     While notifications and equipment needs are being satisfied, another detective may call the first officer or a supervisor at the crime scene and solicit as much information as possible since information can change from one moment to the next. This information is analyzed and acted upon as needed. The boro dispatcher is also constantly updated as needs may change and ranking supervisors  kept up to date. The detective will attempt to ascertain the conditions at the scene and request:

• to confer with patrol supervisor
• the scene's integrity be safeguarded and all unauthorized personnel kept out
• to avoid contamination / cross-contamination  or the disturbance of physical evidence
• identify all at the scene with proper identification,  pay attention to what they are saying especially to one another
• witnesses or possible suspects be held pending arrival of the squad or transported to the precinct for interviews
• confer with any officers going to the hospital or at the hospital

The Squad Supervisor will assign a detective ("lead detective") to the case and along with the assigned detective and the squad homicide coordinator immediately respond ahead of the other detectives.

Disarray in a burglary-homicide crime scene.

First Officer Responsibilities

In one of  law enforcement's most infamous crime scene photos, note the complexity of the Sharon Tate crime scene. This scene contains two bodies  with multiple stab wounds and tied with rope, one appears to have had his head covered with a towel. Furniture appears to have been disturbed and there are items strewn on the floor. In this crime scene you have ligature, synthetic and hair fibers, foot prints, finger prints, blood spatter patterns as well as serological analysis just to name some of the evidence to be processed.

  Perpetrator Detained

       Nothing is more crucial to any investigation than the actions of the first officers on the scene and the actions they take regarding the preservation of the crime scene, detention of witnesses and an arrest if possible. The immediate objective of the first officers on the scene must  be the safety of all parties involved and all else follows. Upon arrival, the officers should attempt to ascertain the perpetrator's location in order to ensure their safety. If an arrest is effected by the responding officers based on identification at the scene by witnesses, the officers should:

• After the arrest, ensure that the situation is under control and make sure that there are no other victims. Someone may be in need of medical attention elsewhere and not in the immediate crime scene or someone may have already been removed to the hospital by way of private transportation. 
• Notify the precinct detective squad and give detailed information, anticipate their response. 
• The officer should take plenty of notes paying careful attention to proper identification of all at the scene and times as events develop. Proper identification is stressed as witnesses who are cooperative at that time may elect to "not get involved" and disappear at a later date if not during the confusion and mayhem that may be present during the initial stages of a homicide. Detailed witness interviews should be left for the responding detectives. Sometimes witnesses do lie and corroboration is essential when dealing with witnesses.
• Note the circumstances that led to the identification at the scene, such as how perpetrator was identified, witnesses' remarks, lighting conditions, those present.
• Identify and safeguard the witnesses pending arrival of detectives making sure that they are separated and not discussing the incident. Pay attention to what the witnesses are saying and take notes.
• Request for additional units forthwith if assistance is needed for crowd control and safeguarding the  witnesses.
• Note the conditions of the perpetrator's clothing and physical appearance. Scrutinize for injuries, torn or bloodied clothing, and take notes. Clothing has been known to get lost during the initial stages of a homicide investigation. 
• Pay close attention to the perpetrator's spontaneous remarks ("he got what he deserved", "I did it because a man has to do what he has to do"), write them down and note the time and witnesses if others heard him.
• Do not interrogate, that should be left for responding detectives but allow him to talk unsolicited. Just listen and document his statements. If perpetrator must be questioned, comply with Miranda Warnings.
• After conferral with detectives, remove to precinct or keep perpetrator at the scene. Perpetrator may be left at the scene if identification issues arise.

The first officers should try to secure  the  crime scene  against contamination, cross contamination, and disturbances while perpetrator is in custody, but under no circumstances should safety be compromised for the sake of preserving the crime scene. Request immediate assistance. 

  Victim DOA at scene or removed to hospital

  Often the first officers will respond to a suicide or homicide crime scene and  met  with a victim still alive and in need of immediate medical attention. There may be screaming, crying, yelling, traumatized  people, arriving emergency medical   personnel and all while  communications asking what seems to be an indefinite number of questions.  There will also be numerous other units with deafening sirens arriving. In plain text, utter chaos. Other times the officers will be met with just an individual reporting the discovery of a dead body. Regardless, the first officers must get their priorities straight and then exhibit immediate control and authority.  The minute control is in effect the investigation has begun.  The first officers should:

DOA at scene

• Not disturb the body; there is no sense in touching the body if there are obvious signs of rigor mortis or putrefaction!
• Once the death is confirmed, request that all unauthorized personnel (including family) leave the crime scene area if not done so. Attempt to establish a barrier to protect the crime scene, make sure that all entrances and exits are secured.
• Contact the precinct desk officer and detective squad with all the current information available. Anticipate a response by the squad.
• No smoking, eating, drinking or use of bathroom at scene. Absolutely do not call from a phone in the crime scene unless 100% a must. In a brutal rape in Manhattan in 1990, an arrest was effected after the perp called a cab from the crime scene leaving a pristine set of prints on the telephone!
• All witnesses will be properly identified, detain witness who reported discovery of body, that may be your perpetrator.
• Note how and when the incident came to the officer's attention (communications dispatch for shots fired, flagged down in the street, heard screams, etc)
• All witnesses will be separated, debriefed, and eventually transported to the squad office. Their movement should be restricted immediately to avoid disturbing evidence, contamination and cross contamination. Pay attention to what they are saying and take notes.

 Slit wrists and throat leads to suicide. Note some personal items neatly placed on toilet seat.

Elderly female stabbed to death. The undisturbed crime scene would lead to a crime scene reconstruction crucial to the subsequent arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.

Victim  removed to hospital

• Treat the crime scene like any other homicide crime scene, as if there was a body there.....safeguard! 

• Observe what clothing and objects medical personnel tear, cut or remove from the victim. Also observe what areas of the crime scene have been disturbed because that will be about the 3rd question detectives will ask upon arrival!

• All witnesses will be properly identified, separated, debriefed, and eventually transported to the squad office. Their movement should be restricted immediately to avoid disturbing evidence, contamination and cross contamination.

• If numerous officers on scene, one should accompany the victim to the hospital while first officers should remain at scene. If victim is conscious, attempt to solicit a dying declaration but note that for a valid dying declaration the victim has to know that he is going to die. 

• At the hospital, keep track of the victim's property as well as clothing. The officer will probably have to voucher the clothing after the detectives have had a chance to examine. The clothing will probably follow the body to the morgue for the medical examiner's evaluation during autopsy. 

• When victim pronounced dead, obtain the name of attending physician, the time of death, and a detailed diagnosis of injuries apparently suffered. 

• Note all who show at the hospital inquiring about the victim, not only family and friends, but associates and strangers. Simply ask, "how do you know the victim"?

• All information should be called to the precinct detective squad immediately.

• Anticipate a response to the hospital by the detectives.

Response By Squad

    The initial response to a homicide or any major investigation by detectives is just that...an initial response. Detectives from the squad or other specialized units may eventually respond to a crime scene many times long after the body, witnesses, first responders, specialized units are gone and the crime scene has been sanitized. One of many reasons may be for a crime scene reconstruction after an autopsy. Another may be to look for items that were initially unimportant but as the case developed became significant or evidence. A crime scene may possibly be safeguarded  for many months. But it is the initial response that is usually the most crucial, and must be controlled and well documented by the initial responding detectives for they will ultimately be held accountable for the investigation's outcome.

     Upon arrival to the scene, first and foremost, the detectives make sure that the crime scene has been established and secured. Take charge of the scene immediately. The crime scene area will be established from the body or location of incident outward and as events dictate, will be adjusted accordingly.  A homicide crime scene can be from several feet to several blocks. Note the time arrived, weather and lighting conditions, who you arrived with. Also note the first officer to brief you and note his statement for he can also later be influenced by developments.  The detective supervisors and detectives will then begin the investigation of the homicide with the following:

Bound and shot, a drug related homicide.

• All unauthorized personnel will be asked to leave the crime scene area including ranking officials. Ensure that an officer is posted to keep out the unauthorized and to list those who enter the crime scene. No smoking, eating, drinking or use of bathroom at scene. If outside, a barrier should be established around the scene with rope, tape, officers, patrols cars, what ever it takes to preserve the scene. Body must not be disturbed pending arrival of Crime Scene Unit and Medical Examiner.
• The first officers will be conferred with (they are fellow detectives for the night) and other officers canvassed to ascertain the extent of their involvement. A list of officers should be made for elimination prints.
• The scene should be assessed for type of investigation (i.e. suicide, type of homicide such as domestic violence, burglary, robbery). Condition of the body noted but not touched pending arrival of Medical Examiner. Ballistics, weapons, blood and other objects should be carefully noted.
• All witnesses will be properly identified, separated, debriefed, and eventually transported to the squad office. Their movement should be restricted immediately to avoid disturbing evidence,  contamination and cross contamination. Person discovering body as well as other witnesses must be thoroughly interviewed and it should be in a controlled environment such as the Precinct. 
• Alarms will be transmitted with descriptions of perpetrators, vehicles or other information, if not done.
• Witnesses should be brought to a  show-up identification, do not bring perpetrator to witness/victim if possible. A show-up identification  should be conducted  if assailant has been apprehended away from the crime scene shortly after homicide. This is usually done by uniformed patrol who are normally first responders.
• In a building, an adjoining apartment or if in the street, an adjoining store or building lobby will be all but commandeered to set up a temporary headquarters. The crime scene must not be utilized to command the investigation.
• It is at the temporary headquarters that all investigators and supervisors should congregate for assignments and exchange of notes and other updates.
• Detectives should be given assignments and ensure a  follow-up  such as the process of property and evidence, accounting and transporting of all witnesses, canvassing the building, response to hospital and citywide hospital canvass if other victims possible, and so forth. They should follow up these assignments to avoid redundancy, omission, etc.
• Communications, Boro Dispatch, Medical Examiner and other responding or involved units should be notified and briefed. 
• Victimology should be immediately initiated,  family, friends, and enemies located. The family should be compassionately notified.

     Officer safeguards a crime scene while a detective makes notifications.

• Photos of the scene and a detailed sketch should be made including furniture, windows, doors, victim, objects and other evidence. It will be needed when interviewing witnesses or interrogating suspect. The crime scene may be disturbed by the time the CSU takes their photos and notes.
• Photos of witnesses and victim should be taken for canvass, interviewing, and identification purposes. A photo of onlookers should also be taken.... potential witnesses may be identified and also... Robert Chambers, after committing a homicide, returned to the scene and watched as detectives were present while sitting on a stonewall in Central Park!
• A canvass for witnesses should be initiated for each apartment in the building or witnesses in the street. All apartments should be accounted for.  If the incident is in the street then all buildings with a reasonable view should be canvassed. The 911 printout should be reviewed and all callers should be accounted for. Witnesses should be canvassed for other events as well, not just actual homicide. Did they see strangers loitering just before the homicide? Did they notice a double-parked car with engine running?  Business cards should be given to everyone not just witnesses to solicit cooperation from all. 
• A canvass in the vicinity of the crime scene should be conducted in an attempt to locate discarded objects such as clothing, weapons, drugs, blood trails, etc. All vehicles parked in the vicinity should be noted (perpetrator may have left vehicle behind).
• Crime Scene Detectives should be briefed about the crime and  directed as to what to process or what is being sought. They will collect evidence, and perform numerous other forensic tasks. These guys are impressive!
• Assistance from other units should be requested as events develop such as  K-9 Units for suspected trails, Emergency Service Units for searches and floodlights, Aviation Unit for rooftop, park searches, Scuba for search and recoveries.
• Detectives should be present  upon arrival of the Medical Examiner, as he  should  be briefed about the case before he examines the body. The Medical Examiner will explain important factors regarding approximate time and type of death, wounds, weapons, etc. Additional weapons, ballistics, identification and other leads may be under or on the body. All may not be what appears to be. The homicide victim may be a natural death after all.
• Specialized unites should be allowed to review the crime scene after all has been processed. Narcotics may look for traps, Vice may review record books, etc. 
• The crime scene should be secured with a seal to preserve the integrity when all police personnel have departed. Family should be allowed in the crime scene to retrieve only necessary items under escort.

      Emergency Service Unit Truck 2 during search for gunman. The officer holding the shotgun was Police Officer John D'Allara who on September 11, 2001 made the ultimate sacrifice.

At the Precinct Detective Squad

Detective mans the phones at the 33rd Detective Squad.

    A departure from the crime scene and arrival at the precinct detective squad office will at times give the appearance of utter pandemonium. There can be a score or more of detectives, supervisors, ranking officers, uniformed officers, witnesses, suspects, the media, and the just plain curious. The appearance of havoc is just that...an appearance. Quite the contrary, a very well organized homicide investigation is entering the mature stage where evidence, witnesses, victimology and other information at hand begins to be analyzed. Based on the information available and developing leads, the investigation is maneuvered from the Precinct Detective Squad. The following will usually be conducted:

• A check will be conducted to see who (civilians) is at the precinct and how they are involved in this homicide (i.e. witnesses, suspect, family of victim). Witnesses are immediately separated if not done so. Any subjects of the investigation is isolated from all and placed either in an empty interview room or holding cell.
• An assignment sheet is posted listing all detectives assigned to the case and what assignments have been carried out or currently assigned. This will allow relieving personnel to ascertain what needs to be done. Most crucial assignments should be assigned to the same core of detectives that will be held responsible for the case.
• A detective should be assigned to clerical duties to keep track of all evidence, reports, files, etc. He should update the assignment sheet based on incoming reports. 
• A meeting will be conducted with all detectives and supervisors where information, opinions, and other pertinent factors are shared. New assignments are given, the status of current assignments and results of completed ones are reviewed. Get in there!!
• The assignments may be distributed based on a detective's particular qualities. A streetwise detective may be asked to go back out to the streets to solicit information about possible perpetrators, motives, etc.  A detective with patience and other strong interview qualities may be asked to interview the subject of a homicide investigation and witnesses. A computer savvy detective may be asked to run the dozen or so computer checks regarding everything from the location of occurrence, vehicles, to criminal histories of all involved. 

The autopsy of a young homicide victim.

Although it seems indefinite in the amount of assignments that can be initiated during the commencement of the investigation and the first few days, the most common are:

• Narcotics, Vice, Warrants, Parole, District Attorney's Office, Identification Section, and other law enforcements agencies should be conferred with regarding all involved in the investigation as well as the location of occurrence.
• A hospital citywide canvass should be conducted if it is believed that there may be more than one victim or if an assailant has been injured. A score sheet should be maintained to assure a completed canvass.
•  If victim dies at hospital, detectives should respond to hospital and interview attending physicians and get an official time of death from declaring doctor. Since wounds will not be carefully examined until an autopsy is performed, probably the next day, the detectives should also confer with physician regarding the victim's wounds. Detectives should be aware that family and associates of victim might show at hospital, they should be brought to precinct to be interviewed.
• Detectives should be assigned to meet with an Assistant District Attorney to obtain search warrants as needed. Search warrants can be range from a search of a suspect's residence to scraping the suspect's fingernails for evidence of a violent struggle. Frequent conferrals with an ADA should be part of the investigation.
• Interview all associates and family members of the victim in an attempt to establish possible motives for homicide and identification of perpetrator. They will be more than happy to provide information. Visit victim's place of employment or location of recreational activities such as a street corner.
• Check cell and home phones, beepers, and laptops, email records. Review address books, diaries, letters. Check the victim’s car. All electronics devices should be left to qualified technicians to avoid accidental erasure of crucial information.
• Organize a line-up for witnesses if identification of apprehended assailant is in question or needs to be confirmed.
• Take witnesses to view mug shots.

Recovered firearm. The Glock was recovered  in a weeded lot months after the  homicide.

• Compose a photo array for presentation to witnesses if assailant is not apprehended but identified.
• Run a gun check if a firearm has been recovered and have the firearm traced...after it has processed by Crime Scene Unit. Confer with ballistics and make frequent follow up inquiries since a gun not recovered may be used in another crime at a later date.
• Confer with Latent Prints regarding any fingerprints recovered at the crime scene or the victim's own prints. Make frequent follow up inquiries since the perpetrator may be arrested at a later date for another crime and it may be his first arrest.
• Review the crime scene detective's summary of the crime scene, what was noted or recovered, what was photographed, other forensic tasks were performed, and what was vouchered as evidence or possible evidence. This information will be requested during the autopsy.
• Request Emergency Service Units' assistance and assemble an apprehension team if a lead on a possible location on a perpetrator is developed. 
• Become creative with telephone taps, using misleading telephone numbers (NJ area code although call is from NYC) and other methods if attempting to contact a suspect via telephone. Regular office phones should be avoided.
• Carefully examine the clothing of all suspects and remove the clothing for forensic purposes. Make a note of any injuries, old and new (lacerations, contusions, abrasions) on the body of a suspect or witness. An old injury may be claimed to be a self defense injury many months later at trial.
• Reach out to informants and request that other units and outside agencies also reach out to their informants.
• Contact previous complainants who live in the area, they may have information and may be ready to oblige.

   Respond to the Medical Examiner's Office for the autopsy. In one case, the stomach contents gave the detectives an approximate date and time of death in a double homicide discovered two days after the elderly couple were murdered. Other information that will be obtained:

• depth and angle of stab wounds

• defensive wounds

• ballistic entry, exit, and angle patterns

• tissue under fingernails

• bite marks

• broken bones / fractured skull

• old wounds

• healing wounds