Contact police on 131 444, your local police station, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 (anonymously if you prefer) if you are aware of information concerning a homicide.
Your own safety should be your first priority and you should also be mindful not to disturb or contaminate the crime scene.
Where possible, a witness should remain in a safe location a short distance from the crime scene, to advise police of their observations.
Family support services
Show moreA Family Liaison Officer is appointed during all homicide investigations to provide families with information on investigation procedures and updates.
Information is also provided about available support and counselling services.
Homicide investigation
Show moreHomicides and reportable deaths occurring within Western Australia are investigated and/or managed by the WA Police Force Major Crime Squad, Special Crime Squad and Coronial Investigation Unit.
A reportable death is a Western Australian death:
- that appears unexpected, unnatural or violent or as a result, directly or indirectly, of injury
- that occurs during an anaesthetisation
- that occurs as a result of an anaesthetic and is not due to natural causes
- That occurs in prescribed circumstances
- of a person who immediately before death was a person held in care
- that appears to have been caused or contributed to while the person was held in care
- that appears to have been caused or contributed to by any action of a member of the police force
- of a person whose identity is unknown
- that occurs in Western Australia where the cause of death has not been certified under Section 44 of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1998
- that occurred outside Western Australia where the cause of death is not certified by a person who, under the law in force in that place, is a legally qualified medical practitioner.
Major Crime Squad
The Major Crime Squad (MCS) investigates:
- homicides
- homicide and suspicious death inquiries instigated interstate or internationally
- deaths resulting from police/public confrontation
- deaths in custody of sentenced and remand prisoners
- sudden and unexplained deaths of children
- acts of terrorism resulting in death.
Special Crime Squad
The Special Crime Squad (SCS) is responsible for:
- reviews and investigates unsolved homicides and long-term missing persons declared as 'Cold Cases'
- conducts specialist investigations as directed by the Assistant Commissioner Specialist Crime Portfolio.
Coronial Investigation Unit
The Coronial Investigation Unit (CIU) is responsible for:
- managing investigative responses to all reportable deaths within the Perth metropolitan area, excluding those investigated by the District Detective Offices or Major Crime Squad
- providing specialist support for investigations into reportable deaths within Regional Western Australia, excluding those investigated by Regional Detective Offices or Major Crime Squad.
The Coroners Act 1996 established the Office of the State Coroner, providing for the State coronial system to inquire into deaths in Western Australia.
