Function:

The Saint Paul Police Department Homicide and Robbery Unit is headed by a Senior Commander who reports to the Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Division. The Homicide and Robbery unit is charged with responsibility for the investigation of all reported cases of assault, homicides, robberies and other related crimes including attempts for the purpose of apprehending and prosecuting the perpetrators thereof. This unit will additionally investigate:

Kidnapping when the victim is 18 years or older and there are no criminal sexual conduct allegations
Impersonations of a peace officer
Suicide attempts
Riots
Bigamy
Coercion
Assaults on departmental personnel
Death investigations including homicide, suspicious, suicide and child deaths
Critical incidents
Robbery
Cold Cases
Harassment, stalking and terroristic threats (non-domestic)
Unlawful possession of tear gas and/or electronic control devices
Drive-by shooting and other offenses involving the intentional or accidental discharge of a firearm (with an identified victim)
Unlawful possession of bullet proof vest
Obstruction of Legal Process
All non-domestic assaults

Preliminary Homicide Scene Procedures:

First Officers at the Scene:

The first officers at the scene largely determine the success or failure of the subsequent investigation. Evidence which is destroyed through thoughtlessness or carelessness can never be brought back again and thereafter the task of reconstruction may be impossible.

Remember – only the necessary number of police personnel should conduct the initial investigation. The least number of personnel permitted into the crime scene area the better, including medical personnel.

  1. Ascertain that the victim is dead.
  • Give medical aid if there is any doubt.
  • Should the victim have to be moved, make mental note of the position of the body and the immediate area around same to include any objects that are present so you can document in your police report.

2. Be accurate and methodical in all you do. Do not lose your composure.
3. Make written notes for your report regarding:

  • How call received (radio, telephone, citizen)
  • Time call received and time you arrived at scene
  • The weather conditions
  • Who was present at scene upon your arrival
  • Everything that you observe, to include reactions
  • Document ICC or Body Worn Camera

4. Protecting the scene:

  • First officer at the scene shall request a district supervisor to come to the scene.
  • The officer will then find a position at a reasonable location at or near the scene to keep unauthorized persons, including other police personnel away from the crime scene.
  • The officer assigned to guard the crime scene will record in a report the names of all persons entering the scene. This officer will be responsible to start a Crime Scene Sign-in (PM 607-10R).This form requires all personnel entering the scene to provide the following information: printed name and signature, their agency and unit assignment, the time of entry and exit, and the reason for entry into the crime scene.
  • The officer will advise the supervisor of the situation.

Supervisor at Scene:

The supervisor, on arrival, is in charge of the scene, and is responsible for the continued protection and preservation of the scene.

  1. Notify the watch commander and advise of the situation. When no watch commander is on duty, the supervisor will contact the on-call chief.
  2. Supervisor will take charge protecting the crime scene until Homicide or Forensic Science Unit personnel arrive to take charge.
  3. Supervisor will secure all ICC and Body Worn Camera evidence.

Homicide Unit or Forensic Science Personnel

  1. Upon arrival at the crime scene by an investigator or Forensic Services personnel, these personnel will assume control and responsibility for the crime scene itself and the continued investigation.
  2. All other police personnel will take their orders from the investigator or Forensic Services personnel until excused from the scene by them.

General

  1. The homicide unit investigator in charge of the scene, in consultation with the on-call chief and public information officer, will determine when and what information will be given out. All police personnel shall refrain from discussing anything pertaining to the crime or crime scene with unauthorized  persons (press, spectators, etc.).  The public information officer will field calls from the media. (See General Order 235.60: News Media)
  2. No one will enter the crime scene without approval from the officer-in-charge and will only enter after having signed the crime scene log sheet.
  3. All personnel entering crime scene will prepare a written report detailing why they were there, what they did and what they observed.

Updated February 1, 2019

Last Edited: March 4, 2019