NCJ Number
56965
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 46 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1979) Pages: 32,34-35
Date Published
1979
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE INVESTIGATION OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIMES, AND EXPLAINS THE TECHNIQUES THAT ARE USEFUL IN UNCOVERING FALSE INSURANCE CLAIMS AND DETECTING PUBLIC OFFICIALS SUSPECTED OF BRIBERY.
Abstract
WHITE-COLLAR CRIME EXTENDS THROUGH THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS. IT INCLUDES LARCENIES, FORGERIES, AND COERCION. UNLIKE OTHER CRIMES, IT MAY OCCUR OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND THROUGHOUT A LARGE AREA, NOT LENDING ITSELF TO INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES BASED ON QUICK RESPONSE AND PHYSICAL EVIDENCE. DOCUMENTS OF VARIOUS TYPES WILL BE USEFUL TO THE WHITE-COLLAR CRIME INVESTIGATOR, BUT NECESSARY RECORDS AND WRITTEN STATEMENTS MAY HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVELY TAMPERED WITH OR CONCEALED BY THE OFFENDERS. USEFUL AND ACCURATE PAPERS, SUCH AS LAND RECORDS, CAN BE FOUND IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE AND INVESTIGATORS SHOULD BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE FILING AND RETRIEVAL PROCEDURES OF THIS OFFICE. REAL PROPERTY PURCHASES ARE FREQUENTLY USED TO CONCEAL ILLICIT FUNDS, YET THE OFFICIAL BARGAIN AND SALE RECORDS AND WARRANTY DEEDS ARE DIFFICULT TO ALTER. CLERKS' OFFICES ALSO WOULD MAINTAIN MORTGAGE RECORDS AND HAVE ACCESS TO STATE INCORPORATION PAPERS. OFFICIAL RECORDS WOULD LIKELY INDICATE THE ATTORNEYS AND ASSOCIATES OF CORPORATIONS UNDER INVESTIGATION. A FINANCIAL PROFILE OF A COMPANY OR INDIVIDUAL MAY BE OBTAINED BY EXAMINING THE CLERK'S RECORDS OF COURT JUDGMENTS, CHATTEL MORTGAGES, AND SECURITY INTERESTS. THESE RECORDS COULD INDICATE ANY EXISTING DEBTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE SUSPECTS. BANK RECORDS AND TELEPHONE COMPANY DATA MAY ALSO BE ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THE PROPER CORPORATE AND LEGAL PROCEDURES. THE EXISTENCE OF COMPUTER RELATED CRIMES AND COLLUSION OF MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS IS NOTED. (TWK)