NCJ Number
193373
Date Published
1999
Length
351 pages
Annotation
This book introduces the elements of criminal investigation.
Abstract
Chapter 1 provides a historical background of how the field of criminal investigations has evolved over the years and summarizes the duties of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other Federal investigative agencies. The types of investigation are discussed in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 describes who conducts investigations, such as police, Federal, and private investigators. The characteristics of a good investigator, including motivation, intelligence, intuition, dedication, and judgment, are presented in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 describes how investigations are initiated in Federal agencies, corporate security departments, and police and sheriff’s departments. The preliminary investigation, including identifying and protecting crime scenes, is described in Chapter 6. Chapter 7 focuses on the jurisdictional issues and cooperation among agencies. Chapter 8 presents procedures such as protecting the crime scene and making field notes. In Chapter 9, the sources of information and confidential informants are discussed. Ways of locating and interviewing witnesses are presented in Chapter 10. Surveillance and intelligence procedures, such as physical, fixed, and technical, are described in Chapter 11. Collecting and preserving evidence, along with issues of Fourth Amendment Rights, are discussed in Chapter 12. Chapter 13 describes laboratory procedures, such as analysis of DNA and firearms, as well as forensic medicine. The process of interrogating the subject, and its limitations, are discussed in Chapter 14. The principal types of investigations are crimes of violence, conspiracy and organized crime, and other crimes such as fraud, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and dangerous drugs and controlled substances. Other types of investigations discussed are threat assessments, accidents, applicants, conflicts of interest, and corporate policy violations. The chapters on administration and case completion focus on case management issues, report writing, and the trial process. Glossary, bibliography, index