Standard practices in mil law

* New Defence Investigation Technical Instructions have been released to standardise methods of conducting investigations across the ADF. The instructions bring the ADF into line with Australian Government investigation standards and best practices. The new instructions are expected to make it easier to launch joint investigations involving staff from different Services.

SERVICE Police will now follow a common standard for the investigation of offences with the release of the Defence Investigation Technical Instructions on October 19.

The three Service Provost Marshals formally introduced the new instructions, which apply Australian Government investigation standards and best practices to ADF investigations.

Air Force Provost Marshal Wing Commander Mike Oliver said the new instructions were developed by Squadron Leader Tony Monson, Lieutenant Commander Robert Dokter, Major Nick Rose and other support staff “who worked tirelessly to raise, validate and finally promulgate the instructions”.

“We already follow the Discipline Law Manual and various Defence instructions that direct how investigations are to be conducted in Defence,” he said.

“The joint training for Investigation Qualification and Scenes of Crimes Officers courses at the Defence Police Training Centre is another example of the joint focus.

“This all adds up to greater interoperability, which is important when we work together in a deployed environment or when joint investigation teams are formed to investigate complex matters.”

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