NCJ Number
56398
Date Published
1979
Length
528 pages
Annotation
THIS SECOND EDITION TEXTBOOK FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND POLICE ACADEMY COURSES IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DISCUSSES TECHNIQUES, ASPECTS OF INVESTIGATIONS RELATED TO CONVICTION, AND ASPECTS OF SPECIFIC CRIMES.
Abstract
THE TEXT OPENS WITH A LIST OF GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESSFUL INVESTIGATIONS (E.G., RESPOND QUICKLY TO CRIMES, ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS, AND MAKE A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION) AND OF REQUISITES FOR INVESTIGATORS (E.G., SUSPICION, CURIOSITY, AND ABILITY TO RECALL FACTS). THEN IT SETS OUT THE PRINCIPLES OF PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS, THE PROCEDURES FOR COLLECTING, IDENTIFYING, AND PRESERVING EVIDENCE, AND THE METHODS FOR STUDYING THE MODE OF OPERATION OF THE CRIMINAL. PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO SOURCES OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE--SURVEYING THE PREMISES; PHOTOGRAPHING THE CRIME SCENE; SKETCHING THE CRIME SCENE; COLLECTING CLOTHING, BLOOD, AND HAIR SAMPLES OF THE VICTIM; COLLECTING, PRESERVING, MARKING, AND TRANSPORTING BLOODSTAINS, HAIRS, AND FIBERS AND INTERPRETING LABORATORY RESULTS ON THIS EVIDENCE; AND HANDLING FIREARMS, FLAMMABLES, GLASS, AND DOCUMENTS TO BE USED AS EVIDENCE. HOW TO SET UP AND OPERATE A CRIME LABORATORY IS DISCUSSED ALONG WITH THE MAKEUP OF MODUS OPERANDI REPORTS. THE BASIC TECHNIQUES INVOLVED IN INTERVIEWING AND INTERROGATING SUSPECTS AND WITNESSES ARE REVIEWED, AND METHODS ARE SUGGESTED FOR QUESTIONING FRIGHTENED, TIMID, AND DECEITFUL SUBJECTS. THIS SECTION ALSO COVERS LEGAL ASPECTS OF INTERROGATIONS, CONFESSIONS, ADMISSIONS, AND STATEMENTS. FINGERPRINTS, THE LEGALITY OF FINGERPRINTING, FINGERPRINT PATTERNS AND CLASSIFICATION, LATENT FINGERPRINTS, AND SURVEILLANCE AND STAKEOUTS ARE SOME OF THE OTHER SUBJECTS COVERED. A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF INFORMATION SOURCES FOLLOWED BY GUIDELINES FOR REPORT WRITING ON VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, ARREST, MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS, AND FELONIES COMPLETES THE SECTION ON GENERAL INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE DISCUSSIONS OF SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES TO USE WHEN INVESTIGATING AUTO AND MOTORCYCLE THEFT, BURGLARIES, ROBBERY, THEFT AND RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY, FRAUDULENT CHECKS, ASSAULTS, DEATHS, (HOMICIDE, ABORTIONS, ABUSED CHILDREN, NATURAL DEATHS AND SUICIDES) SEX CRIMES, NARCOTICS AND DANGEROUS DRUGS, ARSON AND BOMBINGS, AND KIDNAPPING AND EXTORTION. CHAPTERS CONCLUDE WITH SUMMARIES, STUDY EXERCISES, AND REFERENCES, AND AN INDEX IS PROVIDED. (DAG)