Review of the Critical Incident Response Plans of the United States Attorneys’ Offices
Report Number I-2004-001
December 2003
CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE PLAN CONTENT ANALYSIS
APPENDIX A - CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE PLAN CONTENT ANALYSIS | Number and Percentage of Plans Failing to Address Action Items | ||
---|---|---|---|
Action Item | CTS-Recommended Action Items (from 48-Hour Checklist) | Number of 76 Plans Failing to Address Item | Percentage of 76 Plans Failing to Address Item |
1 | Obtain the best information available on the incident | 30 | 39% |
2 | Determine FBI plans for establishing a command post | 24 | 32% |
3 | Advise EOUSA and CTS per the DOJ Crisis Response Plan | 21 | 28% |
4 | Establish clear communication channels with Headquarters | 31 | 41% |
5 | Establish initial support needs and liaison with Criminal Division | 57 | 74% |
6 | Deploy AUSAs consistent with incident magnitude | 12 | 16% |
7 | Ensure that deployed AUSAs know their role and interrelationships | 16 | 21% |
8 | Plan for overlapping relief shifts for AUSAs to ensure coverage and smooth transitions | 32 | 42% |
9 | Designate a Senior AUSA to handle reassignment of crisis response AUSAS to include contact with court regarding postponing court calendar | 45 | 59% |
10 | Ensure availability of victim/witness resources and service | 21 | 26% |
11 | Ensure AUSAs have appropriate equipment (e.g., cell phones, laptops, ACIRG Manual, electronic forms) | 33 | 43% |
12 | Ensure availability of accommodations and transportation if event outside USAO area | 52 | 67% |
13 | Identify information flow at command post | 38 | 50% |
14 | Assign AUSAs at critical information flow points within the command post and the "SAC's Room" | 53 | 70% |
15 | Ensure AUSAs know investigative developments in timely manner | 51 | 67% |
16 | Designate AUSA(s) to review affidavits and applications for process to ensure advisability, accuracy, consistency | 47 | 62% |
17 | Designate case agents | 54 | 71% |
18 | Review law enforcement coordination between federal agencies, and state and local authorities | 38 | 50% |
19 | Ensure FBI/HQ does not initiate investigative action in other field offices without coordinating with command post | 56 | 72% |
20 | Have FBI/HQ take affirmative steps to ensure that other FBI offices do not self-initiate investigative activity without coordination | 57 | 74% |
21 | Ensure with SAC/On-Scene Commander that the following are used ONLY with coordination with USAO (e.g., composites, informal immunity, photo identification, search warrants) | 54 | 70% |
22 | Review media procedures with SAC/On-Scene Commander (e.g., coordinating public statements with USAO, monitor pretrial publicity for litigation issues) | 31 | 39% |
23 | Ensure interviews are coordinated to avoid multiple agency interviews | 67 | 87% |
24 | Ensure consistent procedure in conducting/documenting interviews (e.g., one write-up, consistent format across agencies) | 67 | 87% |
25 | Preserve crime scene consistent with life-saving requirements | 54 | 70% |
26 | Ensure single, coordinated crime scene protocol | 60 | 79% |
27 | Ensure orderly presentation of evidence at trial through limited witnesses (e.g., search team leaders) | 63 | 82% |
28 | Establish single, unified evidence room and communicate chain of custody procedures | 61 | 80% |
29 | General coordination with EOUSA and CTS to ensure USAOs receive instructions on how to proceed | 62 | 80% |
30 | Coordinate on issuing grand jury subpoenas | 63 | 82% |
31 | Coordinate applications for process, search warrants, arrest warrants, pen registers | 60 | 78% |
32 | Coordinate on using photo spreads, lineups, hypnosis, polygraphs, informal immunities | 64 | 83% |
33 | Coordinate on issuing public statements | 49 | 64% |
34 | Check availability of grand jury | 62 | 80% |
35 | Assess remaining life of grand jury/juries | 62 | 80% |
36 | Coordinate with court concerning special grand jury sections | 62 | 80% |
37 | Assess need for voir dire of grand jurors if they are within scope of potential victims | 59 | 76% |
38 | Assign paralegal or clerk to log subpoenas provided to law enforcement and to maintain record of disposition | 65 | 84% |
39 | If out of district prosecutors involved, obtain necessary grand jury authorizations for official appearances before grand jury and ensure same filed with clerk | 67 | 87% |
40 | Check availability of resources/personnel - Rapid Start | 66 | 86% |
41 | Check availability of resources/personnel with forensic expertise | 61 | 79% |
42 | Check availability of resources/personnel for sketch artist | 66 | 86% |
43 | Check availability of resources/personnel - photographer | 66 | 86% |
44 | Special Projects Unit to ensure timely initial measurements for potential mock-ups at trial | 66 | 86% |
45 | Coordinate concerning availability of grand jury | 63 | 82% |
46 | Coordinate procedure for around the clock availability of judges for issuance of process | 56 | 72% |
47 | Develop a regional crisis management plan | 60 | 78% |
48 | List of contacts at every relevant federal, state, and local agency which may be called on to participate | 34 | 45% |