Criminal investigations ch 1 PDF

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Lecture notes that followed a powerpoint guideline. Included are the learning objectives throughout the notes. Know the learning objectives and notes for the midterm. ...

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Chapter 1 Criminal Investigation: An Overview Introduction An observant police officer can initiate an important criminal investigation Criminal investigation combines art and science Requires extraordinary preparation and training High-tech society Citizens expect results more quickly Investigators need to step up their technology and teamwork skills A Brief History of Criminal Investigators HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Bow Street Runners Vidocq Society Scotland Yard Pinkerton National Detective Agency-started for railroads Major advances in criminal investigation Criminal Investigation Definitions KEY DEFINITIONS Investigate Derived from Latin, vestigare, meaning to track or trace Criminal investigation Discovering, collecting, preparing, identifying and presenting evidence Deductive reasoning Logical process; conclusion follows from specific facts Learning Objective: Do you know what criminal investigation is? A criminal investigation is the process of discovering, collecting, preparing, identifying and presenting evidence to determine what happened and who is responsible. Other terms defined SPECIFIC TERMS Criminalist- studies criminals, specialist in an area Forensic science-use of tools to collect trace evidence Crime Felony- more than 1 yr., more than 500 Misdemeanor-less than 1 yr., less than 500

SPECIFIC TERMS Criminal statute-anything that identifies a crime Ordinance-can’t change what the criminal statute says, local made by county Elements of the crime-intent, evidence, statements Criminal intent-did they mean to commit crime? malice or forethought Modus operandi, or MO- method of operation, how the criminal commits the crime Goals of Criminal Investigation SUCCESSFUL INVESTIGATIONS Determine whether a crime has been committed Legally obtain information and evidence to identify the responsible person Arrest the suspect Recover stolen property Present the best possible case to the prosecutor Learning Objective: Do you know what the major goals of criminal investigation are? Determine whether a crime has been committed. Legally obtain information and evidence to identify the responsible person. Arrest the suspect. Recover stolen property. Present the best possible case to the prosecutor. Basic Functions of investigation INVESTIGATOR FUNCTIONS Provide emergency assistance Secure the crime scene Photograph, videotape and sketch Take notes and write reports Search for, obtain and process physical evidence Learning Objective: Do you know what basic functions investigators perform? Provide emergency assistance. Secure the crime scene. Photograph, videotape and sketch. Take notes and write reports. Search for, obtain and process physical evidence. Obtain information from witnesses and suspects. Identify suspects. Conduct raids, surveillances, stakeouts and undercover assignments. Testify in court.

INVESTIGATOR FUNCTIONS Obtain information from witnesses and suspects Identify suspects Conduct raids, surveillances, stakeouts and undercover assignments Testify in court Characteristics of an Effective Investigator SPECIFIC CHARACTER TRAITS Intellectual Psychological Physical Learning Objective: What do effective investigators do? Effective investigators obtain and retain information; apply technical knowledge; and remain open-minded, objective and logical. They are also culturally adroit, that is, skilled in interacting across gender, ethnic, generational, social and political group lines. An Overview of the Investigative process INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS Usually initiated by personal observation or information from a citizen Starts with a direction to proceed to a scene Department policy defines who responds Department policy defines duties of individuals

The Preliminary Investigation: Basic Considerations THE INITIAL RESPONSE Suspect may still be at or near the scene Injured persons may need emergency care Witnesses may still be at the scene Dying person may have confession/information Weather may change/destroy evidence Crime scene may be altered Learning Objective: Who usually arrives at a crime scene first? The initial response is usually by a patrol officer assigned to the area where a crime has occurred. POINT OF ARRIVAL Scene may be either utter confusion or deserted

SETTING PRIORITIES Handle emergencies first Secure the scene Investigate Learning Objective: Do you know what should be done initially? Handle emergencies first. Secure the scene. Investigate. HANDLING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS Sometimes emergencies dictate procedure Emergency situations causes the adrenaline to flow SUSPECT AT OR NEAR THE SCENE Policy determines interrogations Miranda warning Learning Objective: Do you know what to do if a suspect is still at a crime scene? Has recently fled the scene? Any suspect at the scene should be detained, questioned and then released or arrested, depending on circumstances. PERSON IS SERIOUSLY INJURED Emergency first aid Call for medical assistance Accompany suspects to hospital DEAD BODY AT SCENE Leave the body as found Preserve the scene

PROTECTING THE CRIME SCENE Major responsibility of the first officers to arrive Locard’s principle of exchangeEvery contact leaves a trace Scene is critical Maintain security Protect from destruction or

alteration from the elements Learning Objective: Do you know how the crime scene and evidence are protected and for how long? All necessary measures to secure the crime scene must be taken—including locking, roping, barricading and guarding—until the preliminary investigation is completed.

CONDUCTING THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION Questioning Neighborhood canvass Measuring, photographing, videotaping and sketching Searching for evidence Processing physical evidence Recording all statements Learning Objective: What responsibilities are included in the preliminary investigation? Questioning victims, witnesses and suspects. Conducting a neighborhood canvass. Measuring, photographing, videotaping and sketching the scene. Searching for evidence. Identifying, collecting, examining and processing physical evidence. Recording all statements and observations in notes. Learning Objective: What the meaning and importance of res gestae statements are? Res gestae statements are spontaneous statements made at the time of a crime concerning and closely related to actions involved in the crime. They are often considered more truthful than later, planned responses. Crime Scene Investigators SCIENTIFIC SPECIALIST Specialist in organized scientific collection and processing of evidence Processes and packages all physical evidence Attends and documents autopsies Writes reports and testifies in court Crime scene technology degree

The Follow-up Investigation FACTORS FOR FOLLOW-UP Many cases require a follow-up investigation Factors exist that are beyond the officers’ control Weather can destroy evidence Witnesses can be uncooperative Follow-up phase builds on what was learned Computer-Aided Investigation CRIME ANALYSIS, MAPPING AND GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS Crime mapping and hot spots DATA MINING Sifting through information Helps narrow the field of possible suspects Problem-oriented policing DEPARTMENT-WIDE STRATEGY Aimed at solving persistent community problems Identify, analyze and respond Used in criminal investigations in many ways Combining problem-oriented strategies with traditional investigative techniques

Investigative Productivity PRODUCTIVITY  Interest in the police field for some time  All jobs have some standard of productivity  Traditional evaluation  Number of cases assigned  Type of case assigned  Continuous evaluation The Investigative Function: The Responsibility of All Police Personnel SPECIALIZATION NEED Criminals and their MOs Investigative techniques Leaving assigned shifts Heavy patrol workloads Increasing efficiency Learning Objective: Who is responsible for solving crimes?

The ultimate responsibility for solving crimes lies with all police personnel. It must be a cooperative, coordinated departmental effort. Interrelationships with Others—Community Policing COMMUNITY POLICING RELATIONSHIPS Uniformed patrol, dispatchers, prosecutors Physicians, coroners and medical examiners Forensic crime laboratories Citizens, victims, witnesses, media Learning Objective: Do you know with whom investigators must relate? Using a community policing orientation, investigators interrelate with uniformed patrol officers, dispatchers, the prosecutor’s staff, the defense counsel, supervisors, physicians, the coroner or medical examiner, laboratories and citizens, including witnesses and victims. Major-Case Task Forces COMBINED TASK FORCES Necessary for many crimes involving drugs, gangs and terrorism Multidisciplinary approach Multijurisdictional investigation Metro crime teams Special investigation units Law enforcement Resources FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT Numerous resources Aid local and state agencies INTERPOL International Criminal Police Organization Computerized database is available to law enforcement agencies worldwide Avoiding Civil Liability CIVIL LIABILITY    

Effective policies and procedures clearly communicated to all Thorough and continuous training Proper supervision and discipline Accurate, thorough police reports

Learning Objective: Do you know how to avoid civil lawsuits?

Effective policies and procedures clearly communicated to all. Thorough and continuous training. Proper supervision and discipline. Accurate, thorough police reports.

Summary  Determine whether a crime has been committed  Legally obtain sufficient information and evidence  Locate and arrest the suspect  Recover stolen property  Present the best possible case to the prosecutor  Cooperation and coordination of efforts are also required outside the police department  Criminal investigation is, indeed, a mutual effort...