Memorandum of Understanding detailing the cross border agreement for the forensic examination of recovered vehicles between Kent & Essex Police, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire Police, Norfolk &Suffolk Police, Surrey & Sussex Police, Thames Valley Police and the Metropolitan Police Service.
Implementation date 18/10/2022
This document seeks to clarify the agreed process for the forensic examination of recovered vehicles between the named Police Forces when the Owning Force of the crime is not the Recovering Force for that vehicle.
Nationally, Forensic Investigations are undertaken by Crime Scene
Investigators/Scenes of Crime Officers/Volume Crime Scene Examiners and are performed under their own Standard Operating Procedures that are designed to meet ISO17020 standards. Where a vehicle is examined by the Recovering Force it is accepted that it will be done so as per their own procedures.
Any vehicles recovered by the Recovering Force on behalf of another force will not automatically be examined by CSI. When a vehicle is recovered, the Recovering Force will notify the Owning Force to make them aware and will await further instruction from the OIC. If the OIC does not specifically request the examination then it will not take place. If the Recovering force cannot complete the requested examination due to periods of very high demand, the Recovering Force will notify the Home Force at the earliest opportunity.
The below text sets out the basis for any requested examination undertaken by CSI. All conditions below are reciprocal by agreement and are not legally binding.
TOMV
- A standard stolen vehicle examination will be conducted according to the Recovering Force’s own procedures as soon as practicable, upon request. This examination will include:
- Recovery of any relevant DNA samples eg, cigarette ends, drinking vessels, deployed airbag. Cellular/touch DNA swabbing (steering wheel, gear stick, etc.) will not be considered as a basic routine examination. OIC to agree with CSI/SOCO if required – i.e. part of a series or operation.
- Recovery of any relevant items suitable for chemical fingerprint enhancement o Should drugs or weapons/firearms be found the examiner will make contact with the OIC/CSM to determine any specific requirements prior to seizure
- Examination of relevant areas for fingerprint using powders
- Any other evidence type would need to be specifically requested by the OIC and agreed by the examining CSI
- The MPS do not routinely examine TOMV but will conduct a basic examination upon request. (Powder fingerprint exam and DNA recovery dependent on whether the vehicle has been preserved or not)
Stolen from Burglary
- CSIs will require specific information about the incident and what is required from the OIC prior to any examination. This information should include details of any suspects and/or arrests made.
- CSIs will undertake a relevant examination of the vehicle with the agreement of the OIC, as soon as practicable. This examination will include:
- The same level of examination as a TOMV examination o Photography if required by the OIC
- Recovery of any specific stolen item if identified by the OIC (MPS require the OIC to attend to collect stolen goods directly)
Used in Crime
(crime occurred within the Home Force’s boundary but the vehicle found within the Recovering Force’s policing area)
- CSIs will not examine these vehicle without a forensic strategy agreed by the OIC/local CSM or CSI.
- If the crime is serious or major then please revert to the below policy
Major/serious crime
• The default position will be that the Home Force for the crime takes responsibility for the examination. The Recovering Force will only assume responsibility upon request by the CSM for the incident and with an agreed forensic strategy made to the Principal Crime Scene Coordinator (or similar rank) and that request is accepted. This includes any request for urgent forensic examination of the exterior of the vehicle prior to recovery.
• Where the greater crime has occurred within the recovering Force’s borders the forensic strategy for the examination will be the responsibility of Recovering Force. However, detailed discussion with a Forensic Manager in the home force will take place so that all relevant forensic considerations to assist all offences are agreed in the forensic strategy
• Where a major crime has occurred in the Home Force and the vehicle has been deposited in a neighbouring force then the Home Force will retain the responsibility for the examination.
Submissions – fingerprints/chemical treatment/ DNA
• All recovered fingerprints will be submitted to the Examining Force’s fingerprint bureau (all crime types)
• The examiner may choose and submit up to 2 items for chemical fingerprint enhancement and should be selected by which items are of most relevance (volume crime)
• DNA submissions will be facilitated by the Examining Force upon receipt of a GF111/volume crime DNA submission or MG21/MGFSP from the Home force endorsed by an individual that has budgetary authority. The Home Force should identify which FSP to submit the items to and any relevant lab references.
• In the case of complex, serious or major crime, any items recovered for the purposes of DNA, chemical fingerprint enhancement or other forensic discipline will not be submitted. Any submissions will be the responsibility, and at the expense of, the Home Force for that offence.
Identifications
- Any identifications made by the Examining Force will be distributed by their Forensic Intelligence Unit to the relevant Force’s equivalent department where they are a stakeholder relating to that examination.
Retention/release
• Upon completion of the examination, the local Vehicle Recovery Unit will be responsible for release. Vehicles involved in volume crime will be released upon completion of exam. If no examination request is made, then the recovered vehicle will be released as per the Home Force’s own procedures. Stolen vehicles are recovered under the Road Traffic Act rather than PACE so can be released prior to examination upon request by the RO.
• Vehicles involved in major crime should only be released with permission from the SIO.
Examination Reports
- Examination reports will be supplied to the officer in the case and any other nominated person as requested (e.g. Crime Scene Manager etc.).
MOU Management
• This document will be reviewed annually by all parties or whenever any service issues arise. Should the latter occur a proportionate investigation will take place following the appropriate Quality Management Procedure
• When agreed the originals of this document will be retained by each Force within their ISO17020 Framework.
• This document will be managed and stored within the Forensic Services Quality
Management System and will be made available, upon request, to all signatories and their nominated individuals.
• This document is not legally binding and therefore any party can withdraw from this agreement at any time. However, it is agreed that the withdrawing party will provide a 3 month period of notice to withdraw to allow for alternative arrangements to be made.
Glossary
CSI Crime Scene Investigator
SOCO Scenes of Crime Officer
VCSE Volume Crime Scene Examiner
CSM Crime Scene Manager
OIC Officer in the Case
SIO Senior Investigating Officer
Home Force The Police Force that own the crime report
Recovering Force The Police force recovering the vehicle
Examining Force The Police Force examining the vehicle
Contacts
[redacted]
Author:
Principal Crime Scene Coordinator. Essex Police.
In consultation and agreement with:
[redacted]
