Page 19 - WAD Beyond Global September 2018
P. 19
WAD PERSONALITY
Initial Record of Interview After the CCTV was finalised John completed an examination
Given the profile of the claimant, I was impressed with the of the site of loss, it was here he established vital information
professional yet resolute approach John undertook when which allowed suspects to be identified. John identified the
interviewing the claimant and broker. John successfully hangar from which the two motor vehicles were stolen had
completed a detailed record of interview with insured, no signs of forced entry and it was confirmed the particular
confirming there was no fraud, inflation or suspicion on the hangar roller doors were locked prior to the theft. John was
claimant’s behalf. Furthermore, John’s interview established adamant that persons responsible had to have had swipe keys
new points of contact within the insured company to further to access for the hangar and would have unlocked the garage
investigative and relevant persons to interview. John was able doors internally.
to determine vital points of the insurance claim which were
previously unknown which included; an approximate time of loss, Witness Interviews
security records for entry/exit points, company CCTV footage John then completed witness interviews with all contractors
which could be reviewed and potential witnesses to the theft. and staff identified on CCTV around the time of loss. Whilst this
did not yield any information relevant to the investigation it
Contact with Police emphasised the depth John goes to in ensuring all investigative
Following on from the interview John personally attended the avenues are covered.
relevant police station and had a meeting with the investigate
officer for the matter. John was able to efficiently communicate Suspect Identification
with the officer successfully gaining priority of the investigation John then briefed the claimant and appropriate staff with the
– this is particularly impressive as often assistance from the view of reviewing the relevant CCTV to try and identify the
Police is very limited due to their work schedule. A ‘cross- suspects depicted. Through the use of investigative briefings
operation’ was agreed to and John provided the officer with John identified that an item of clothing that was worn
all businesses and intersections which had CCTV which the matched that of a contracting company that frequents the
police attended and seized. The police agreed to complete claimant’s compound. John reviewed their staffing portfolio
the investigations pertaining to the direction of travel of the and established three (3) staff were rostered on by that
vehicles whilst John focused on the internal aspects of the company, suspect interviews were conducted with two (2) who
claimants company. I am aware they held briefings regularly provided accurate alibis. The final employee appeared to evade
throughout the investigation and to date I believe the overall contact from John and the company owner – which resulted in
investigation benefited from this rapport building by John. John establishing that entity as a suspect in this matter.
Telco Strategies
Investigative Strategies I am aware that upon identifying this suspect, John completed
another briefing with the investigating officer from the New
CCTV Zealand Police. John requested that the officer complete
After the interview with the claimant and the Police, John a ‘ping’ on the suspects’ mobile devices to establish if he
commenced the body of his investigative operation. I recall was at the site of loss when the theft occurred. Due to privacy
he held meetings with a number of staff from the claimants reasons the results were never provided by the Police however
company, establishing their integrity before delegating roles it was established that the strategy had been ‘successfully
for them to complete which would expedite the investigation. completed’.
John drew his attention to the CCTV from the company which
he and a staff member reviewed for many hours. Together they Third Party Liability Admission
reviewed all CCTV which covered a month and a half period – At the request of the claimant, John allowed him to engage
John with the assistance of the staff member identified that with the contractor with respects to providing the information
the theft took part on 6 July 2017. discovered as a result of Johns investigation for comment.
Specifically the full CCTV review established: The owner of the company immediately agreed that the
• The entry of two suspects who entered through the overwhelming body of evidence supported the fact that the
security gate at night behind a delivery truck. theft was as a result of one of his employees and stated his
• The fifteen (15) minute period they were on the company was potentially liable for the loss.
claimants property
• Partial description of what they were wearing Location of Outstanding Motor Vehicles
• The exit point where only 2 vehicles (BMW’s) were stolen Shortly after the interview between the claimant and the third
party, the outstanding motor vehicles were located parked
Upon observing only two vehicles were stolen at this time a on the side of the road with minimal damage in a district
further review was conducted of the claimants logistic records north of the site of loss. The Police forensically examined the
which identified the third vehicle (RAV4) was not stolen and had vehicles before relinquishing them to the claimant resulting in
been placed in the wrong spot by an employee – immediately a physical recovery and return of $256,200.00NZD worth of
reducing the claim amount by approximately $35,000.00NZD. luxury motor vehicles.
www.wad.net | August 2018 17