A question for anyone knowledgeably of UK law enforcement and Intelligence?

Question

First, this is a serious question. Please only reply if you are well informed of the matters detailed below.

Is the Secret Intelligence Service (AKA MI6/5) the 'highest ranking' establishment in terms of UK government Intelligence agencies?

Can operatives of such organisations make their way, uninvited (without prior appointment), on to a crime scene on UK soil with a flash of the badge, as is seen on TV?

For instance if I was an MI5 operative who wanted to check on the identity of a murder victim at the scene of a crime (assuming word travels fast), could I just turn up unannounced, flash my badge at the polic,e officer on guard duty with a line like 'Official Secret Service business,', and be whisked through?

I am only asking as I am curious about how these things work in real life, I apologise if I have got any facts wrong or have given a bad example to back up my question.

Thanks for all inofrmed answers.

{sp} informed.

NB, if the SIS does not have such powers, is there anyone that does?

Answer 1

There is only one warrant card that is more powerful than the Police, and that is that of a customs officer, but even they wouldn't be allowed into a crime scene just like that. When a murder occurs, or in fact any serious crime, a "scene guard" is put on. This is usually a PC with a bit of Police tape... but it can be lots of officers if the scene needs it. Each and every one of those officers is responsible for keeping the area as serile as possible, to prevent any contamination of the scene, until the scene of crime officers attend to do what they do. A constable can tell the Chief Constable that he/she cannot enter the scene unless they have a good enough reason. What ever happens, it must be recorded in a scene log, or started in the officers pocket note book should a scene log not be immediately available. To answer your question, it's down to the officer responsible for the scene who they let into a crime scene. I would imagine if it was someone of national/international importance, then it would be dealt with differently, but you'd still have PCs on the scene guard being instructed from higher up.

Answer 2

Most police officers wouldn't know what a MI5 identity card was.If the SIS had an interest in a police case they would go through official channels and they work closely with special branch.No one just enters crime scenes as shown on TV and films and the officers guarding scene would not allow anyone without the permission of the senior investigating officer to enter and then it would be recorded.MI5 and MI6 are the highest ranking security agencies but only MI5 usually deal with internal security.Since the end of the cold war and Northern Ireland troubles they do work a lot more with the police as terrorism becomes the priority.

Answer 3

If you turned up at a murder scene, by sheer accident or co-incidence, when a crime had been committed, and there was no senior officer in charge, I imagine that you would be able to do this, after all any police officer would be better than none at all. Once a senior officer arrived I think he could ask you to leave, because the police have the last word, especially when a crime has been committed. MI5 and MI6 officers are still bound by the laws of the land officially at least.

Answer 4

No, a police officer on a corden has a duty to maintain that cordon and ensure the scene is preserved. If a person appears and tries to barge past they can be told politely to naff off. A police officer or PCSO has every right to bar access to a scene if they believe the person trying to gain access has no right to be there. Think about it, why would a secret agent want access to a murder scene......?
If it was official then it would be authorised by the guarding officer's commanding officer and not just a flash of a badge.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

If I was in mi5/6 I couldn`t tell you and you would never know.