NCJ Number
57360
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 27 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1979) Pages: 46,48-50,52-53
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE INITIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF PATROL OFFICERS FOR BURGLARY INVESTIGATIONS IS EXAMINED IN TERMS OF CRIME SCENE SEARCHES AND EVIDENCE COLLECTION (FINGERPRINTS, TRACE EVIDENCE, AND EVIDENCE PRESERVATION).
Abstract
BURGLARY IS DEFINED AS UNLAWFUL ENTRY INTO A BUILDING WITH THE INTENT TO COMMIT A FELONY. THE USE OF FORCE FOR ENTRY IS NOT SPECIFICALLY REQUIRED, ALTHOUGH ATTEMPTS TO ENTER A BUILDING THAT USE FORCE WITH THE INTENT TO COMMIT A SUBSEQUENT FELONY MAY CONSTITUTE ATTEMPTED BURGLARY. BECAUSE OF THE DANGER TO A PATROL OFFICER RESPONDING TO A BURGLARY CALL, PATROLMEN SHOULD ANTICIPATE THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ARMED CONFRONTATION BY BEING INCONSPICUOUS IN THEIR APPROACH TO THE BURGLARY SITE. BACKUP OFFICERS SHOULD BE REQUESTED, AND OFFICERS ON THE SCENE SHOULD AWAIT THE ARRIVAL OF BACKUP OFFICERS BEFORE THE SEARCH OF A BUILDING. THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION OF A BURGLARY SITE SHOULD INCLUDE INTERVIEWING AVAILABLE WITNESSES AND CAREFUL DOCUMENTATION OF THEIR STATEMENTS. THE BUILDING OWNER SHOULD BE CONTACTED, AND ASSISTANCE FROM THIS INDIVIDUAL SHOULD BE REQUESTED IN THE EXAMINTATION AND ASSESSMENT OF THE CRIME SCENE. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE SHOULD BE LOCATED AND PRESERVED, FINGERPRINTS SHOULD BE EXAMINED, AND THE CRIME SCENE SHOULD BE PHOTOGRAPHED. GENERAL RULES OF COLLECTING, HANDLING, AND PRESERVING SUCH FORMS OF EVIDENCE AS FINGERPRINTS, TRACE EVIDENCE, TOOL MARKS, AND THE PREPARATION OF CASTS IN BURGLARY INVESTIGATIONS ARE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (DEP)