Operation EMZ poses challenges
Long hours, cooperation from telcos and liaison with family members have all been important aspects of Operation EMZ - the ongoing Christchurch inquiry into the alleged homicide of 20-year-old deaf woman Emma Agnew.
Christchurch Detective Inspector Tom Fitzgerald, says the inquiry was challenging from the start without a body - "which adds a different dimension to most homicide inquiries. We had to deal with the issue of had she or hadn't she run away.
"Everybody who had communicated with her in days prior was a suspect, so we had to try and wring out numerous people all at the same time, in a timely fashion. This brought us to a point with a couple of people, some of whom weren't too truthful and led us down different paths."
Tom says the team worked extremely long hours, continually motivated by wanting to find Emma.
Christchurch Detective Inspector Tom
Fitzgerald announces the discovery of
Emma's body to media during Operation EMZ.
Photo: The Press
"This was a girl going back to work at 10.30 in the morning on a Christchurch street. It wasn't midnight, there wasn't alcohol involved ... so it added this extra dimension of 'how could this have happened?'.
"We accounted for Emma's movements which brought us down to a gap of about three or four minutes. As the inquiry developed, through good investigation work, we realised she had been at Spencer Park."
Tom says the Park is a huge area, but the narrowed focus also saw the public become involved in the search. A member of the public who had returned to search with his dogs found Emma's body.
"That developed further when we got onto the alleged offender which was pleasing obviously for the whole inquiry and the family."
Cooperation from telcos and other agencies also helped with the inquiry, particularly in the urgent, early stages.
"The knowledge in those areas helped us achieve what we got. It was critical," Tom says.
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Family liaison crucial
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Police interaction with Emma's family was a vital part of the operation, and Detective Margaret Callanan was appointed as the family liaison officer.
With 17 years experience, and having done family liaison before, Margaret describes the role as the most challenging of her career.
"The role of family liaison is a very privileged role in these types of inquiries, because you are taking over a family's life for as long as it takes," she says.
Profound deafness among Emma's immediate family, and deafness in her extended family posed challenges.
"It's a natural reaction from people who can hear to feel sympathy for the deaf. It was obvious that this family is proud to be deaf and once I understood this, it then became very natural to treat them exactly the same as any hearing person.
"The most difficult thing for me was ensuring the communication - through an interpreter - was clearly understood, as in any situation where you are going through a third-person. I had to really think about the best way to get the message across."
Margaret has used four interpreters on a rotating basis throughout the inquiry and took advice on the best way to frame questions and explain complex information or Police-specific terminology. She has also coordinated the inquiry team's use of interpreters.
"It's a very delicate position to be in. You are the face of the Police to these people ... it's incredibly important."
Margaret says she's grateful for the support and value placed on her role from the officer in charge of the inquiry Tom Fitzgerald, the inquiry team and the District Commander. Her family liaison role will continue through the ongoing inquiry and subsequent court case.
Canterbury Crime Services Manager, Detective Inspector Paul Kench, says the Operation EMZ team, under the stewardship of Detective Inspector Fitzgerald, ably assisted by Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Long, worked tirelessly to establish what had happened to Emma.
"The positive feedback from Police around the country and from the Canterbury community has been outstanding. I'd like to thank everyone involved in the search for Emma."
