Burglary and allied offences, Continued…
Burglary procedures
Initial action
When you receive a report of a burglary, follow, where appropriate, the procedures in
the Homicide and serious crime investigations chapter, ‘Part 1 Initial response to
homicide or serious crime’ and the ‘Crime Scene Examination’ chapter of the Police
Manual.
Interviewing the victim
After clearing and containing the scene, interview the victim to establish:
• when the premises were last secured
• who last secured them
• the date and time that the offence was discovered
• who discovered it
• brief details of the offence
• brief details of the property stolen
• details of suspects
• whether anything has been moved or touched by the victim or anyone else
• whether the premises had been burgled before.
Examining the scene
A scene of crime officer (SOCO) should be used to examine any burglary scene wherever
possible. If no SOCO is available follow these steps when examining the scene.
Step
Action
1
Identify all possible points of entry and exit and:
Section 6(c) Official Information Act 1982
2
Take control samples, for example:
• Section 6(c) Official Information Act 1982
3
Ensure the scene and any significant evidence within it has been
photographed by a Police photographer (if possible) or by attending constable
prior to any evidence disturbance or collection.
Forensic examination
Follow these steps when conducting a forensic scene examination.
Step
Action
1
Start fingerprinting Section 6(c) Official Information Act 1982
Section 6(c)
Official
Information Act
1982
See also: ‘Crime Scene Examination’.
Section 6(c) Official
Information Act 1982
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Burglary and allied offences, Continued…
• Section 6(c) Official Information Act 1982
Collusion with an employee
While examining the interior of the building, consider whether the offence indicates that
an employee provided information about:
• Section 6(c) Official
Information Act
1982
Section 6(c) Official Information Act 1982
Insurance
Consider whether there is evidence that the complaint has been made for the purposes
of deceiving an insurance company, or to cover misappropriation of money. Where
appropriate, make enquiries with the complainant's insurer or access the NZ Insurance
Council database for more information.
Preparing the case file
Follow these steps to conduct the listed interviews and complete the associated
correspondence.
Step
Action
1
Interview the person who secured the building, ship or enclosed yard if fully
enclosed and the person who discovered the offence. Record the details on a
job sheet or in a written statement, whichever is appropriate. Obtain
elimination fingerprints.
2
Conduct a preliminary interview of the victim and clarify aspects of the
offence. Consider and evaluate the evidence and information to make a
reconstruction for an offence report.
3
Establish these points for the offence report:
• full particulars of the victim
• full description of the property stolen and how it can be identified
• any additional information that the victim has omitted in the interview
• insurance details
• who does the owner/occupier think may be responsible for the burglary and
why.
4
If applicable, obtain and include:
• a list of the staff
• a list of the occupants of the dwelling or apartment house
• elimination fingerprints.
5
Also include:
• the results of the scene examination
• the name of the attending Police employee who may be needed for further
information such as the identity of the suspect, or details of other property
stolen
• details of intended Police action.
6
Advise the victim what further actions will be carried out, and issue a
Complaint Acknowledgement Form (CAF) to the victim.
Important: Include the file number and/or event number.
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Burglary and allied offences, Continued…
7
Before leaving the scene, conduct local enquiries, interview witnesses and
record the details in a job sheet or written statement, whichever is
appropriate.
See also ‘Case management’.
Making further enquiries
Follow these steps to make further inquiries.
Step
Action
1
Complete POL23 (offence report) and POL23B (supplementary burglary
report).
2
Ensure your supervisor is advised of the offending.
3
Plan further enquiries and record these on the job sheet or for more detailed
investigations prepare an investigation plan.
4
Consider broadening the scope of local enquiries by questioning:
• Section 6(c)
Official
Information
Act 1982
5
Ensure the POL23 and 23B reports are submitted through your supervisor
prior to the end of your shift.
6
Ensure all identifiable property is recorded accurately for entry into NIA. Make
sure you arrange follow-up enquiries with the victim to obtain serial numbers
when they are not readily available.
7
Consider:
• obtaining a written statement from the victim
• contacting the media
• issuing a special notice
• whether similar complaints have been made, and whether the victim has a
criminal history.
8
Arrange for the exhibits to be examined by appropriate experts.
See also: ‘Crime Scene Examination’.
Section 18(e) Official Information Act 1982
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