The Process Of Investigation

-- A thought provoking book which draws a clear line between public and private sector investigation -- Legal aspects, organizational objectives, and the concepts and strategies of investigation are examined -- Actual investigations are used to illustrate the ideas in the text -- Covers all facets of the investigative process, serving as a reference source in addition to being a learning tool

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.

The Process of Investigation, Fourth Edition addresses the needs of today’s private sector investigative professional by providing a full-spectrum treatment of the investigative process, from case inception and investigative strategy selection to executing complex investigative techniques, to creating reports useful for corporate, legal, and prosecutorial purposes. Continuing in the tradition of its previous editions, The Process of Investigation, Fourth Edition covers essential topics overlooked in books on the public aspects of investigation. Investigative skills such as surveillance techniques, interviewing and interrogation, collecting and documenting evidence, and taking confessions and written statements are all discussed, and supplemented with updated case studies and examples from the authors’ own professional experiences. Teaches the fundamentals of the investigative process and serves as a valuable reference tool for both the student and the professional Experienced professionals can brush up on seldom-used specialty skills, and reconsider existing methods and approaches Includes a new chapter on discrimination investigations

The field of professional investigation has long been considered the exclusive domain of the public sector. In years past, members of private enforcement agencies have been overlooked in favor of their public counterparts. With professionalism marking a new era in private security, the author draws the line and clearly defines the private sector as an individual investigative arm. The Process of Investigation, Third Edition, continues in its tradition of serving as a valuable handbook for investigators working in the private sector. It contains complete updates since its June '01 publication. This includes mention and coverage, where relevant, of the effects of 9/11 on the security industry, particularly the need to incorporate awareness of terrorism and terrorist activities when investigating any suspicious behavior, events or actions. A legal change in the Fair Credit Reporting Act is included in Chapter 5 specifically; other more minor modifications in legislation that have been passed and implemented since the last edition are also addressed throughout. The Third Edition contains two brand new chapters. Chapter 10 discusses interviewing and interrogations, written by two premier experts, Doug Wicklander and Dave Zulawski. Chapter 23 addresses the issues of workplace violence, and includes coverage of stalking, domestic violence spillover into workplaces, red flags, and the Theory of Threat Assessment and Management (TAM), among other topics. - Covers updated legal statutes and their implications as they relate to interviews, video and surveillance recording and background investigations. - Serves as recommended reading for ASIS's prestigious CPP and PCI certifications - Has numerous case studies within the text, which present real-world problems and the often complex solutions to solving cases and resolving issues.

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 is a guide to recommended practices for crime scene investigation. The guide is presented in five major sections, with sub-sections as noted: (1) Arriving at the Scene: Initial Response/Prioritization of Efforts (receipt of information, safety procedures, emergency care, secure and control persons at the scene, boundaries, turn over control of the scene and brief investigator/s in charge, document actions and observations); (2) Preliminary Documentation and Evaluation of the Scene (scene assessment, "walk-through" and initial documentation); (3) Processing the Scene (team composition, contamination control, documentation and prioritize, collect, preserve, inventory, package, transport, and submit evidence); (4) Completing and Recording the Crime Scene Investigation (establish debriefing team, perform final survey, document the scene); and (5) Crime Scene Equipment (initial responding officers, investigator/evidence technician, evidence collection kits).

This book is a lucid and practical guide to understanding the core skills and issues involved in the criminal investigation process. Drawing on multiple disciplines and perspectives, the book promotes a critical awareness and practical comprehension of the intersections between criminology, criminal investigation and forensic science, and uses active learning strategies to help students build their knowledge. The book is organised around the three key strategic phases in a criminal investigation: - Instigation and Initial Response - The Investigation - Case Management Each strategic phase of the investigative process is carefully explained and examined. Alongside this practical approach, theoretical perspectives and academic research are laid bare for students. Introducing Forensic and Criminal Investigation is essential reading for students in criminology, criminal justice, policing, forensic psychology and related courses.