R Vs Farquharson Essay

A thorough investigation can be the difference between proving an individual innocent or guilty (Reference). Investigations are highly important, however need to be precisely accurate and contain no mistakes to prevent a wrongful conviction of an individual (reference). This essay will focus on Mr. Farquharson’s homicide Investigation process. By doing so this essay will analyse and identify the process in which the investigation took place, failures or weaknesses made by police, recommendations that could have been made to improve the validity of the investigation and lastly the role in which social media influenced individuals to believe a certain view point and convict Robert Farquharson of murder.

The Investigation Process

According to R v Farquharson (2009) On the night of Father’s Day, 2005, Robert Farquharson was driving his three children back to their mother’s property. On the way, back Farquharson allegedly suffered from a coughing attack which

caused him to lose breath and further lose consciousness. This caused Farquharson to veer off the road and into a nearby dam. He told police he woke up when the car was already in the water, realizing this he tried to get his children out of the sinking car however after multiple attempts failed to do so. (R v Farquharson, 2009). This incident was first approached by police as a freak accident however due to later police suspicion was changed into a homicide investigation. (Reference)
As Per the Queensland Police Service Manual (2017) after the first response of police and evaluation of incident, if reasonable police will establish a crime scene and preserve any evidence left behind.

As stated in the Court transcript of R v Farquharson (2009) First response officers including Senior Sargent Exton were preserving evidence by highlighting the tyre tracks left behind by the vehicle in which Farquharson was driving. Sargent Exton used yellow spray paint to make the tracks stand out and last longer so that an investigation of these tracks could begin. Photos of the tracks were taken and later used as evidence. The major Collision unit investigated these tracks, through the photos taken and suggested that there was a three-steer pattern. They reached the conclusion that only a person who was conscious could have made these markings. This statement suggested that Farquharson had to have been lying about his coughing fit making him unconscious and therefore this accident was his intention all

along.
Another part of a police investigation is to interview appropriate individuals that may benefit and support the case. (Operational Procedures Manual, 2017)This police investigation interviewed doctors for a medical opinion on Farquharsons coughing fit and an old friend of Farquharsons who had a witness statement.(R v Farquharson)