NCJ Number
90568
Date Published
1982
Length
418 pages
Annotation
This text for introductory college courses concentrates on fundamental concepts of investigation, information and laboratory services available to the investigator, investigative guidelines for selected crimes, and recent technological innovations.
Abstract
The book initially reviews the steps of an investigation: the corpus delicti, crime scene, identification and arrest of a suspect, interrogation, and presenting a case to the prosecutor. It also describes professional characteristics that investigators should develop to perform their jobs effectively. Additional suggestions cover notes on all phases of an investigation and writing narrative reports. The chapter on interviewing techniques explores age and sex factors which influence the receptiveness and reliability of subjects being interviewed, victims' vulnerability to emotional pressures, and the neighborhood canvass for witnesses. Guidelines for processing the crime scene begin with the behavior of the first investigator to reach the scene and move through search methods, photography, drawings, and collecting physical evidence. Subsequent chapters address the criminalistics laboratory's organization and capabilities, information available from police and other public records, informants, and surveillance and undercover work. Ways to conduct interrogations and obtain written statements and confessions are outlined. Specific investigative guidelines focus on death, robbery, burglary, vehicle theft, forcible rape, child abuse, and arson. The text presents overviews of narcotics, dangerous drugs, and terrorist incident investigations, organizing materials to present to the prosecutor and grand jury, and appropriate court demeanor. The final section surveys automated fingerprint identification systems, infrared viewers, and investigative hypnosis. Each chapter contains a summary and discussion questions. The text includes photographs, case examples, diagrams, 38 footnotes, a glossary, and an index.