NCJ Number
47388
Date Published
1978
Length
228 pages
Annotation
THIS INTRODUCTORY LEVEL TEXT IS DESIGNED TO TEACH COLLEGE STUDENTS AND BEGINNING POLICE INVESTIGATORS THE BASIC TECHNIQUES OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION; THE MATERIAL IS STRUCTURED SO AS TO BE COMPLETED IN ONE COLLEGE SEMESTER.
Abstract
AN INTRODUCTORY SECTION OUTLINES THE WORK OF THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION OF A POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE STRUCTURE OF THE UNIT, DUTIES OF THE INVESTIGATOR, AND SELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR THIS DIVISION ARE DISCUSSED. THE FIRST STEP IN MANY INVESTIGATIONS IS AN ANALYSIS OF THE CRIME SCENE, AND STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT HOW TO DOCUMENT THE SCENE ACCURATELY WITH SKETCHES, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND NOTES; IDENTIFY, COLLECT, PRESERVE, AND LABEL EVIDENCE; AND DELIVER IT TO THE CORRECT PLACE. CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS (QUESTIONING A PERSON BELIEVED TO HAVE SOME KNOWLEDGE OF OFFICIAL INTEREST) AND INTERROGATIONS (QUESTIONING A PERSON SUSPECTED OF HAVING COMMITTED AN OFFENSE) -- WHO TO QUESTION, WHERE, AND HOW; VARIOUS TECHNIQUES AND APPROACHES; AND EVALUATION OF THE INFORMATION OBTAINED -- IS EXPLAINED. IN ADDITION TO OBTAINING INFORMATION FROM CRIME SCENE EVIDENCE AND FROM VICTIMS AND WITNESSES, THE NEW INVESTIGATOR IS ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATAION; THE TEXT PROVIDES LISTS OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES WHICH MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE VALUABLE INFORMATION, AS WELL AS GUIDELINES FOR THE SELECTION, TREATMENT, AND EVALUATION OF INFORMANTS. ANOTHER INFORMATION-GATHERING TECHNIQUE, SURVEILLANCE (COVERT OBSERVATION), IS ALSO DISCUSSED. VARIOUS METHODS OF FOOT, AUTOMOBILE, AND AIR SURVEILLANCE ARE EXPLAINED, ALONG WITH ACTIONS TO TAKE IF THE SUBJECT BECOMES SUSPICIOUS OR MAKES SOME UNEXPECTED MOVE. INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES SPECIFIC TO PARTICULAR TYPES OF CRIME ARE EXAMINED. DISCUSSIONS OF LARCENY, BURGLARY, ROBBERY, AND ASSAULT CONCERN THE NATURE OF THE CRIME, BASIC INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES, SPECIFIC TYPES OF EVIDENCE TO LOOK FOR AND QUESTIONS TO ASK WITNESSES, AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS. ADDITIONAL FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE INVESTIGATION OF SEX OFFENSES, SUCH AS COLLECTION OF MEDICAL EVIDENCE, INTERVIEWS WITH THE VICTIM, AND CONSIDERATIONS OF THE CHARACTER OF THE VICTIM, ARE DISCUSSED. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION OF ARSON, HOMICIDE, AND SUICIDE ARE ALSO EXPLAINED. APPENDIXES PROVIDE A TABLE LISTING PROCEDURES FOR IDENTIFYING AND HANDLING SUBSTANCES TO BE USED AS EVIDENCE; SOCIAL SECURITY AND DRAFT CARD IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION; A LIST OF CORRECT SPELLINGS FOR WORDS COMMONLY USED IN POLICE REPORTS; TECHNIQUES FOR DESCRIBING HUMAN PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS, INCLUDING DESCRIPTIONS AND PICTURES OF COMMON VARIATIONS OF FEATURES; AND INFORMATION REGARDING MOTOR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION. AN INDEX IS PROVIDED. (VDA)