448 / 494
447
14.43.
Videotaping of surroundings took place from 26 May. ACP Gause
said –
“The Scenes of Crime personnel who were with me on
26 May got directives to photograph and videotape the
general condition of surroundings. The recordings are in the
possession of Scenes of Crime personnel…..Not only the
appearance of the place – the general area, the specific
location, houses. There were actually recording on 26 May
in the community.”
14.44.
In answer to Mrs. Mayhew in cross-examination, ACP Gause agreed
that “under ordinary circumstances, it is most desirable to preserve what may be
crime scenes as soon as possible after an event”. But he insisted that, on
25 May, BSI could not “do a proper and good job in that atmosphere”. He did
not recall any gunfire in Tivoli Gardens on 25 May while he was there. “The little
area where I was, was relatively calm and seemed to be under the control of
Police personnel” but he did not know what was happening in the area of
Coronation Market. He said that his men on the ground would have told him
that it was not time to start processing crime scenes on 25 May.
14.45.
In answer to the Chairman, ACP Gause said that, before handing
over the investigation to INDECOM, BSI had taken statements from 29 police
officers indicating that they had fired a total of 1,226 rounds. He said to
Mrs. Mayhew:
“It is not correct that the Scenes of Crime team did not
commence their investigations or were not called upon to do
anything until 4 June… I requested assistance from the
Major Investigative Unit (MIT) and Scenes of Crime Unit
prior to 4 June.”
14.46.
ACP Gause spoke of receiving “200 and a whole heap” of
statements from civilians prior to handing over to INDECOM.