The Criminal Investigative Function

A literal "start-to-finish" look at the investigations process. PERFECT for new investigators and students! Explore such topics as: -The role & goal of criminal investigations -Understanding the varying forms of evidence -DNA and its important place in investigation -Proper crime scene protocol & its importance Crime areas covered include Sex crimes Robbery Aggravated Assault Burglary Grand Larceny Grand LArceny Auto

The manner in which criminal investigators are trained is neither uniform nor consistent, ranging from sophisticated training protocols in some departments to on-the-job experience alongside senior investigators in others. Ideal for students taking a first course in the subject as well as professionals in need of a refresher, Introduction to Criminal Investigation uses an accessible format to convey concepts in practical, concrete terms. Topics discussed include: The history of criminal investigation in Western society Qualifications for becoming an investigator, the selection process, and ideal training requirements Crime scene search techniques, including planning and post-search debriefing Preparing effective field notes and investigative reports Interviewing and interrogating Types of evidence found at the crime scene and how to collect, package, and preserve it The contributions of forensic science to criminal investigations and the equipment used in crime labs Investigative protocol for a range of crimes, including property crimes, auto theft, arson, financial crimes, homicide, assault, sex crimes, and robbery Specialized investigations, including drug trafficking, cybercrime, and gang-related crime Legal issues involved in criminal investigations and preparing a case for trial Bringing together contributions from law enforcement personnel, academics, and attorneys, the book combines practical and theoretical elements to provide a comprehensive examination of today‘s criminal investigative process. The accessible manner in which the information is conveyed makes this an ideal text for a wide-ranging audience.

Criminal investigators need broad knowledge of such topics as criminal law, criminal procedure, and investigative techniques. The best resource for these professionals will distill the needed information into one practical volume. Written in an accessible style, the fourth edition of Criminal Investigation maintains the same reader friendly approac

This is a textbook designed to provide the student or new practitioner with the foundation necessary to be an effective investigator and to familiarize the reader with the problems facing the criminal investigator. Its primary focus is on the solution of crime by investigation. Some of the basic concepts discussed include the history of criminal investigation in the united states, general aspect of the investigative function, preliminary investigation and the crime scene, photographing and sketching the crime scene, and scientific evidence and criminal investigation. The different aspects of the investigative function examined are as follows: interviewing and interrogation, informants and information, information analysis and theory building, and crimes and their patterns. Emphasis is also placed on familiarizing the investigator with some of the major supreme court decisions affecting the investigative process. Among the areas of interest discussed are cases involving admissions and confessions, wiretapping and eavesdropping, searches and seizures, informants and information, search warrants, and lineups. The special investigative techniques and problems considered include undercover and surveillance operations, narcotics and dangerous drugs, ghetto or inner-city investigations, organized crime, and relations with other agencies and organizations. Individual chapters are followed by discussion questions and exercises designed to develop the student's awareness of the chapter's important elements. A six-page bibliography and an alphabetical index are provided.

This text presents the fundamentals of criminal investigation and provides a sound method for reconstructing a past event (i.e., a crime), based on three major sources of information — people, records, and physical evidence. Its tried-and-true system for conducting an investigation is updated with the latest techniques available, teaching the reader new ways of obtaining information from people, including mining the social media outlets now used by a broad spectrum of the public; how to navigate the labyrinth of records and files currently available online; and fresh ways of gathering, identifying, and analyzing physical evidence.

This book covers the police criminal investigation function, from the preliminary investigation to the preparation of the case for prosecutorial review. The legal significance of evidence is stressed. Crime scene searches, the collection of physical evidence, and techniques for interviewing witnesses are covered as basic concepts of criminal investigation. Various ways for developing investigative leads to discover a suspect's identity are discussed. Eyewitnesses and the corroborating circumstances of motive, opportunity, and modus operandi are treated in detail. Laboratory services, other scientific aids, surveillance, sources of information, police intelligence, and interrogation are presented as essential aids to the criminal investigator. After a general overview of the science of inquiry, the special skills necessary for investigating crimes of violence, crimes against property, and organized crime are outlined. Discussion questions, a library assignment, and a workbook project are included at the end of each chapter. The text written primarily for use in college law enforcement courses, can be of value to police officers, investigators, and others interested in criminal investigation.

First published in 1996, this work covers all the major sectors of policing in the United States. Political events such as the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, have created new policing needs while affecting public opinion about law enforcement. This third edition of the "Encyclopedia" examines the theoretical and practical aspects of law enforcement, discussing past and present practices.

“Good investigators are made - sometimes they are self-made - but they are never born.” There is no magic in conducting a proper criminal investigation - in fact, there never was any. An investigation, simply defined, is nothing more than a search for the truth regarding the circumstances of an incident that involves the collection of evidence and the gathering of information. This book represents the lessons I learned both experientially and from a collection of some of the finest investigators, coroners, prosecutors, judges and other justice professionals in Ontario and across Canada who it was my privilege to meet and on occasion, to work with. From a young constable to Crime Unit Supervisor and on to Detective Inspector for the Criminal Investigation Brach of the OPP, I had numerous opportunities in my 29 years of service to learn from the best. I learned from them all that the police have a heavy responsibility to seek only the truth and to let justice be dispensed by the courts. The modern investigator must strive to see justice done, rather than try to win cases - at any cost. Bill Van Allen, from the author's Introduction SPECIAL FEATURES · The first textbook to reflect the best practices and minimum standards contained in Ontario's recently mandatedMajor Case Management (MCM) Manual · Investigative Relevance boxescontain practical advice on procedures and concepts · Proper Investigative Procedure boxesoffer tips on correct techniques · Investigative Hypothesis boxesare visual aids to show a deductive equation or linear hypothesis derived from a crime scene · Storiesof actual investigations based on the author's experiences lend authenticity and high interest · Photosand crime scene drawingsshow investigative techniques and procedures. · 14 samples of frequently usedInvestigative and Case Management forms