The investigation
What happens?
If someone in your family or whānau has been a victim of homicide, getting support for you and your family and whānau is very important throughout the investigation, the court case and afterwards.
Police will assign a victim liaison officer to your family. This officer will make sure you know what is happening throughout the investigation and the court case. They will also be able to answer any questions you have and put you in touch with specialist support agencies, so you can get the support that is right for you and your family.
A homicide investigation is very difficult for the family and friends of the victim.
Although it is very hard for family, the deceased person may need to stay where they are until the evidence is gathered. A specialist doctor, called a pathologist, will also make an examination. This is to gather important evidence for the court case.
A homicide investigation is likely to take a long time. Police need to show what happened, who was responsible and what their intentions were.
Your police victim liaison officer will keep your family up-to-date and help you while you make funeral, tangi or other arrangements.
During the investigation, police may interview members of your family, and other people, as well as gather evidence like photos and forensic tests.
If the police make an arrest, you and members of your family will be notified. You can also register with the victim notification system. This means you can be notified about a number of events relating to the person’s detention, such as if they are temporarily released from prison. Your details will be kept private. Talk to your police victim liaison officer about registering with the victim notification system.
You will also be asked if you would like to make a victim impact statement. This explains how the crime affected you and your family. You can ask your police victim liaison officer or Victim Support Homicide Support Service worker to help you write this statement. Police will contact you throughout the case to see if you would like to update your statement.
During the investigation and court case, the person accused of the crime will either be kept in custody, or may be released on set conditions such as being told where to live, or having a curfew, until they come back to court. You will be asked for your views on bail.
What support can you get?
Victim Support Homicide Support Service
This is a specialist service to help you and your family through every part of the process, including after the case has finished. It will ensure that your family can get the emotional support you need, and all the practical support you may be entitled to. Police will put you in touch with this service or you can contact Victim Support on 0800 VICTIM (842 846).
Personal support
There may also be specialist support agencies in your local area that can give you support.
Call the Victims of Crime Information Line on 0800 650 654 to find out about agencies in your area.
Specialist counselling support
Family and friends of homicide victims, witnesses and those first on the scene of a homicide are eligible for up to 30 sessions of specialist counselling. You may also be able to get financial assistance to travel to the sessions. Contact Victim Support to find out if you are eligible and how to apply.
Financial support
Financial support of up to $5,000 is available for family of homicide victims to help with loss of income and general costs (this is up to $1,500 if the homicide was before 1 November 2009). Talk to your Victim Support Homicide Support Service worker to find out more and how to apply.
Assistance of up to $10,000 is available for funeral costs. Ask your Victim Support Homicide Support Service worker to find out more, or call the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) Claims Helpline on 0800 101 996.
Victim notification system
In some cases, you can register with the victim notification system. Talk to the police officer in charge of your case to find out more.
Victim impact statement
Your police victim liaison officer or Victim Support Homicide Support Service worker can help you write your victim impact statement.
