Victims Property

Determine in the following scenarios whether property should be returned, retained by police, or photographed and then returned (where a photograph of the evidence is sufficient for the purposes of an investigation and court proceedings). To demonstrate you understand the reasoning and legalities behind your answer, please ensure to quote the specific legislation and section number you are baseing your answer upon.

Link for the legislations:

• AB Victims of Crime Act (https://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Acts/v03.pdf)
• Canadian Victims Bill of Rights (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-23.7/page-1.html)

Note: This assignment is generalized, and police services may have specific policies regarding the procedures to be followed when returning property. Officers are required to follow the policies of their respective police services.

Scenario 1

Police investigating an incident of theft under $5,000 seize 50 unopened CDs and DVDs from a suspect. The suspect is charged with theft under $5,000. The store owner wants the items returned to her.

Should the items be returned to the store owner? Could you please explain with further details

Scenario 2

While executing a search warrant, police seize 1 gram of cocaine. The person in possession of the drug is charged and fined $1,000. The person pays the fine and asks that the cocaine be returned.

Should the cocaine be returned? Could you please explain with further details

Scenario 3

Police are investigating an incident of assault with a weapon. A knife used in the assault has been seized. Forensic evidence concludes that the knife was used in the assault. A trial date has been set for the accused. The victim of the assault is also the owner of the knife. He asks that the knife be immediately returned because it is one of a set of 12 that was given to him as a gift.

Should the knife be returned? Could you please explain with further details

Scenario 4

A homicide has occurred. The victim died as a result of injuries sustained through an assault with a baseball bat. At the conclusion of the trial and the period allowed for appeal, the owner of the bat requests that it be returned to him. He wants to auction the baseball bat on the Internet.

Should the baseball bat be returned to the owner? Could you please explain with further details