Use of Electronic Surveillance in Narcotics Investigation (From Criminal and Civil Investigation Handbook, P 5-57 to 5-83, 1981, Joseph J Grau and Ben Jacobson, ed. - See NCJ-84274)

• NCJ Number: 84307
• Author(s): L L Patt; L A Halpern
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 27 pages
• Sale Source: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This discussion of the use of electronic surveillance in narcotics investigation covers the eavesdropping application and court order, executing the eavesdropping warrant, postexecution procedures, and warrantless electronic surveillance.

Abstract

Consideration of the eavesdropping application and court order focuses on definition of terms and issues pertinent to the issuance of a warrant, such as probable cause, stale information, designated crimes, time limit, and the exhaustion of normal investigative techniques. Other topics considered in the discussion of the application and court order are telephone company cooperation, investigation goals, description of the conversation to be seized, disclosure of informants, and investigative techniques for obtaining an eavesdropping order. Guidelines for executing the eavesdropping warrant give advice on wiretap instructions and supervision, minimizing the interception of irrelevant conversations, spot monitoring, privileged communications, recording equipment, and a sample log sheet. Also considered are amending and extending the warrant, the use of 'bugs' and problems encountered, and cooperation between investigators and the district attorney's office. Custody of tapes and warrants, notification of subjects prior to trial, and disclosure and use of eavesdropping information are discussed as aspects of postexecution procedures. Issues in warrantless electronic surveillance cover electronic tracking devices, pen registers, and touch-tone decoders. Eight notes are listed.