Police information for dealing with a case/incident where the person has died

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.027967

I note you seek access to the following information:

Please note I have searched your website and the public domain in general, but could not find the information needed.

1. Where police involvement has been required, what official classifications are given by Met Police around the circumstances of death? (ie: unexplained, suspicious, no further involvement needed)

2. Where police involvement has been required, Which team within the Metropolitan Police are responsible for the classification regarding a death?

3. Once a death has been established as a murder, which team within the Met Police would this be assigned to?

4. In reference to the team/unit mentioned in question 3, Please provide a high level overview of the team structure from the most senior involved to the bottom of the teams hierarchy. Please note I am not looking for staff names, just the titles of the roles involved. Any basic information about what each role involves would be much appreciated.

5. Other than the team mentioned in question 4, is it commonplace for other teams within the Met Police or outside, to be involved within a muder case. If so, please state which teams or organisations.

6. What methods of Suspect Identification are used within the Metropolitan Police? (ie: suspect line up in person, photos ect)

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Where police involvement has been required, what official classifications are given by Met Police around the circumstances of death? (ie: unexplained, suspicious, no further involvement needed)

There are four (4) categories of death investigation which are;

(1) Expected death
In circumstances where there is medical diagnosis and a medical practitioner is able to sign a Medical Certificate of cause of death.
There is no requirement for the Police to attend unless there are concerns raised. If police are called and attend they will treat the death as unexpected.

(2) Unexpected death - investigated and not suspicious
Where the death was sudden and not expected. Police have attended and carried out an investigation. Evidence is available to indicate there is no third party involvement.

(3) Unexpected death – under investigation
Where the death was sudden and not expected. Police have attended and carried out an investigation. Investigations are unable to confirm that there was no third party involvement and further investigation is required

(4) Homicide
Where the death was sudden and not expected. Police have attended and carried out an investigation. In all likelihood there is third party involvement or there is obvious evidence of homicide.

Q2 - Where police involvement has been required, Which team within the Metropolitan Police are responsible for the classification regarding a death?

As above the initial attending officers will be responsible for the classification regarding a death.

Q3 - Once a death has been established as a murder, which team within the Met Police would this be assigned to?

Homicides within the MPS are generally investigated by the Major Investigation Teams (MITs) under the Specialist Crime Umbrella. There are 20 MITs in the MPS which are geographically located East, North, West and South. Each area provides a Homicide Assessment Team (HAT) which are made up of MIT officers. Each HAT car is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If a death is deemed suspicious, the HAT car for the region is contacted (unless they are already investigating a case in which circumstance another area provides the HAT response). The HAT car’s team attending usually but not always keeps the investigation. Reallocation depends on several factors including location and resourcing.

Q4 - In reference to the team/unit mentioned in question 3, Please provide a high level overview of the team structure from the most senior involved to the bottom of the teams hierarchy. Please note I am not looking for staff names, just the titles of the roles involved. Any basic information about what each role involves would be much appreciated.

A MIT team is made up as follow:
• 1 x Detective Chief Inspector (they are known as the SIO – senior investigating officer)
• 2 x Detective Inspector (Investigating officer)
• 4 x Detective Sergeant (Case Officer)
• 18 x Detective Constables.
• There are also several members of police staff attached to the team (4).

A5 - Other than the team mentioned in question 4, is it commonplace for other teams within the Met Police or outside, to be involved within a muder case. If so, please state which teams or organisations.

Generally response officers and local Borough Command Unit (BCU) Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where the incident took place. Other specialist units can also be involved including specialist search teams known as POLSA, Air Support Unit and Dog unit as examples.

Q6 - What methods of Suspect Identification are used within the Metropolitan Police? (ie: suspect line up in person, photos ect)

A variety of methods are used, each investigation is unique and has to be treated accordingly but the principle Identification methods used by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) are as follows:

• Street Identification – This would involve the victim or witness been driven past a suspect who would have been stopped by police officers/police community support officers and would be used in the Primary Investigation of a crime. However if the suspect has not been stopped, they may drive around the area where the crime happened as the suspect may still be in the area. This is used when the identification of the suspect is not known.

• E-FIT Identification – A computer generated image created by Police based on a description given by the victim/witness’ of the suspect. This is used when the identification of the suspect is not known.

• Witness Albums Display System (WADS) - The WADS is a computer based application that allows the entry, storage, retrieval and displayed viewing of suspects during criminal investigations. This is shown to the victim(s) and or witness(s) of the crime to see if any match the suspect. This is used when the suspect is not known.

• Video Identification – The suspect is filmed with their consent and this is shown to the victim(s) and or witness(s). This is used when the suspect is known and has consented to the procedure.