Conduct the initial investigation of a residential burglary

What is going on

A residential burglary at Larkspur Rise was reported at 07:10 when the occupant returned from a night shift to find the rear door forced. The attending member photographed the scene, seized a screwdriver and a glove as exhibits and lodged them in the Property and Exhibits Register. The occupant is distressed and has not yet given a formal statement. Neighbouring houses have doorbell cameras. The Operations Inspector has asked you to take carriage: review what has been done, complete the initial investigation, take the statement and update the Incident Log. He also wants your view on whether it links to a series of industrial burglaries in the district.

Your brief

Complete a thorough and lawful initial investigation that preserves evidence continuity, gathers witness and CCTV evidence, supports the victim, and produces an updated incident record and a written summary of lines of enquiry.

Work through it

You do not need to do it all. Doing a few of these will show you what the work is like. Your ticks and notes stay on this device.

• Read the Incident Scene Management Procedure and the Exhibit Handling and Continuity Procedure and list the checks you must make on what the attending member has already done.
• Review incident record NG-26-04412 and the two exhibit register entries, and record any continuity gaps or missing details in the Incident Log notes.
• Plan and document a door knock and CCTV canvass of the six nearest properties, recording each contact, the result and any footage obtained as new exhibit entries.
• Prepare and take a written statement from the victim covering the timeline, the property taken with serial numbers, and the point and method of entry, and note the support referrals you offered.
• Assess whether the method and timing match the industrial estate series by comparing the incident records, and record your reasoning.
• Update the Incident Log record with actions completed, evidence obtained, outstanding lines of enquiry and a recommendation on referral to the Criminal Investigation Unit.
• Identify the offences disclosed and the powers you relied on for the seizure of exhibits and the request for CCTV, naming the legislation in words.

What someone in this role would produce

• Continuity check notes on the existing exhibit entries
• Canvass record with any new exhibit entries
• Victim statement
• Updated Incident Log record with lines of enquiry and referral recommendation
• Written assessment of the possible series link