Homicide

Depending on the circumstances, an offender may be charged with different offences such as:

• murder
• manslaughter
• culpable driving.

If physical violence is threatened, the charges can include:

• threats to kill
• threats to inflict serious injury.

Losing a loved one to violent crime is a frightening and traumatic experience. Witnesses who see someone hurt or killed can also be deeply affected, even if they do not know the victim.

Everyone's response is different, but it can be helpful to understand the common feelings and physical reactions people have and what to expect.

On this website, you can learn more about:

• common emotional and physical reactions to stressful events like crimes
• information about living with grief
• suggestions to help you with recovery
• how to best support a family member or friend
• how to help a child who has been affected by crime.

Whether it is just after the crime or you are dealing with ongoing effects on your health and wellbeing, counselling is available. The Victims of Crime Helpline 1800 819 817 can connect you to services that can help.

When a person dies as the result of a crime, there will usually be two investigations:

• the coroner’s investigation
• the police investigation.

The family or next of kin of the deceased person may be contacted by both the police and coroner’s staff.

The coroner’s investigation

A coroner’s investigation focuses on understanding the physical cause of death and the circumstances that led to the person dying.

To make their report, the coroner’s office:

• will usually undertake any medical examinations of the deceased person that are required
• will also consider findings from the police investigation
• may, in a small number of cases, hold an inquest (External link), where evidence will be given by witnesses (External link) to help the coroner understand the circumstances that led to the death.

If a person is charged with a crime relating to the death, the coroner will usually wait for the court process to finish before finishing their report.

You can read more about what happens in a coroner’s investigation (External link) at the Coroners Court of Victoria website. They also provide information for families about making funeral arrangements (External link)

The police investigation

A police investigation focuses on determining what happened and if someone should be charged with a crime.

At first, local police may be involved as they will probably be the first at the scene. In a suspected homicide, detectives from the homicide squad will conduct the investigation. In a road traffic incident involving death or serious injury, the Major Collision Investigation Unit will investigate.

Early in the investigation, family members will speak with several different police officers. Once a team is formed by police, a senior investigator will keep you updated on the progress of the investigation.

You should be kept informed by the police about how the investigation is going. It is important to understand that this does not mean that police can give you all the details about suspects, witnesses or evidence.

Sometimes, police may not be able to provide family members with certain information because it could put the investigation at risk. 

The senior investigator will contact you during the investigation. From time to time, team members may contact you or other family members to collect information and take witness statements.

When enough evidence is collected to charge someone, the senior investigator will be your key contact for information about the court case.

If you would prefer not to hear any information about the investigation at all, let the police know.

Going to court

After the police have charged an offender, the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) is notified and the charges are filed in court.

The Office of Public Prosecutions (External link) will:

• organise a solicitor for the case
• give you contact details so that you can ask about the case
• put you in touch with their Victims and Witness Assistance Service (External link)

As the case progresses, the OPP solicitor will keep you updated.

If an offender is found by the police, they may be charged and the justice process will start.

This website explains the justice process in Victoria. You can learn about:

• police investigations
• how charges are laid
• what happens when a case goes to court
• what you need to do if you have to go to court
• what happens if an accused person is found guilty.

Some crimes can be of interest to the media. The police will not release the name of a victim without the consent of the next of kin, but the media may still be able to identify victims and contact friends and families.

If you have questions or concerns, you can contact:

• the police officer in charge of your investigation
• the Victims of Crime Helpline on 1800 818 817.

You can learn more about victims of crime and the media.