The Investigative Process
The responsibility of all who work
within the field of criminal justice, both
public and private investigators
Reasons to investigate:
1. Criminal act –
2. Background check –
3. Department policy –
4. Citizen complaint –
5. Rumors -
Investigative Terminology
1.
Crime – “an act or omission forbidden by
law, punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or
death”
2.
Investigation – “a patient inquiry or
observation; to trace or track mentally; to
search into; to examine”
3.
Investigate – to determine if a crime has
or has not occurred
- vestigare: to track or to trace
4.
Criminal Investigation – “a thorough,
and objective search for the truth”
Goals
1.
Determine if a crime has been
committed
2.
Legally obtain evidence and information
to identify suspects
3.
Identification / arrest of suspects
4.
Recover stolen property
5.
Present solid case to prosecutor
Both Science and Art
1.
Laws of nature / scientific principles
2.
Investigator’s ‘ART’ still relied on
3.
Called hunch, gut feeling, or instinct
4.
Experience, observation, and study
5.
Learning / applying / changing
Successful Investigation
1.
Logical sequence followed
2.
Available evidence legally obtained
3.
Witnesses located / effectively interviewed
4.
Suspects effectively / legally interrogated
Success, cont.
5.
Leads thoroughly developed / followed
through
6.
Details accurately and completely recorded /
reported
7.
Evidence properly packaged / stored
8.
Professional presentation in court
- includes evidential testimony
Functions of Investigator
1.
Protect yourself and others
- primary function
2.
Provide emergency assistance
- if qualified
3.
Secure location / crime scene
- already discussed
4.
Initial observation / walk through
- understanding of crime
Functions, cont.
5.
Photograph / video / sketch / record
6.
Make notes or recordings to write reports
- maintain notebook for court
7.
Search for physical evidence
- take custody of
- process all evidence
8.
Obtain information from all who
have knowledge
Functions, cont.
9.
Identify suspect or primary
10.
Conduct surveillance / stakeouts / other
undercover assignments
11.
Conduct raids when necessary
12.
Testify in court
Overview of Investigation
1.
Investigate: determine if crime occurred
2.
Patient inquiry: reconstruct crime
(observation / examination / looking into /
searching)
3.
Overriding goal: thorough / objective
search for truth
4.
Police want to know: what happened /
who is responsible
(Vestigare)
Overview, cont.
6.
Criminal investigation:
- a science and an art
a. Science – laws of nature and scientific
principles
(ballistics, fingerprints and polygraph)
b. Art – experience / study / and
observation