NCJ Number
93715
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 53 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1984) Pages: 1-6
Date Published
1984
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The police department of Oceanside, Cali., developed the Uniformed Crime Investigator Program to improve the quality of preliminary investigations, to make more crimes prosecutable, and to raise the level of service in the eyes of the community.
Abstract
The uniformed crime investigator is a police officer who handles both patrol and investigative functions. When arriving at the scene of a crime, this officer evaluates the incident and determines what investigative action will be taken. The uniformed crime investigator has total responsibiity and control unless the incident is of such magnitude that detectives and other investigating personnel are needed. Functions performed by uniformed crime investigators include crime scene photography, conducting interviews and interrogations, obtaining search or arrest warrants, collecting and cataloging physical evidence, making composites, maintaining field activity records, and conducting followup investigations. Total management of the crime scene from the beginning improves the quality of investigative work. It ensures that proper investigation will be made while the evidence, the witnesses, and the victims are still present. It also shows the citizen that appropriate services are being provided. Through this upgrading of preliminary investigations, perpetrators are more likely to be identified and connected to crimes, and more crimes become prosecutable. The program began operating in March 1983; since that time, uniformed crime investigators have handled 125 to 150 incidents a month. Their investigations have produced a large amount of physical evidence and have led to arrests. Photographs are supplied.