INTRODUCTION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 8th Edition Chapter 7 Specialized Roles of Police By Henry M. Wrobleski and Kären M. Hess Specialized Functions of Police • • • • • Investigators Profilers Psychics Intelligence officers Juvenile officers • • • • Chapter 7 Vice officers SWAT officers K-9 assisted officers Reserve officers 2 Investigation • Investigators must be objective • Preliminary investigation – first responder priorities (next slide) • Discovery crimes (75%) vs. involvement crimes (25% - rapid response) • Locard’s Exchange Principle – offender and crime scene interact with/affect each other • Solvability factors – witnesses, evidence Chapter 7 3 First Responder Priorities 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Initial response/receipt of information Safety procedures Emergency care Secure and control persons at the scene Boundaries: identify, establish, protect and secure 6. Turn over control of the scene and brief investigator(s) in charge 7. Document actions and observations Chapter 7 4 Investigative Responsibilities • • • • • • • Secure the crime scene – contamination Record all facts related to the case Photograph/measure/sketch crime scene Obtain and identify evidence Protect and store evidence Interview and interrogate Assist in identifying suspects Chapter 7 5 Photographs vs. Sketches • Both photographs and sketches of the crime scene are usually needed • Photographs: – include all details – can show items close up • Sketches: – can be selective – can show much larger areas Chapter 7 6 Sample Crime Scene Sketch Chapter 7 7 Evidence Investigators recognize, collect, mark, preserve, and transport physical evidence in sufficient quantity for analysis and without contamination Chapter 7 8 DNA • DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid • DNA profiling uses the material from which chromosomes are made to positively identify individuals • No two individuals, except identical twins, have the same DNA structure Chapter 7 9 Interviewing and Interrogating • Interview those with information about a crime: – – – – Victims Witnesses Complainants Informants • Interrogate suspects, those believed connected with a crime Chapter 7 10 Identifying Suspects Basic types of identification: • Field identification – at-the-scene – soon after crime is committed – based on totality of circumstances • Photographic identification (e.g., mug shots) • Lineup identification • Modus operandi Chapter 7 11 Crime Scene Investigation Units • Some departments have an entire unit to assist in processing the crime scene • It provides support services in the form of crime scene processing, fingerprint identification, and forensic photography • The CSU responds to major crime scenes to detect, preserve, document, impound, and collect physical evidence (Weissberg, 2001, p.45) Chapter 7 12 Profilers Detective’s focus: Height Weight Race Gender Age Accent M.O. Profiler’s focus: Personality Psyche Pathology Resultant behaviors Profilers develop more complete portraits of serial criminals Chapter 7 13 Intelligence Officers • Undercover assignments – Ongoing investigations into criminal activity, such as illegal sale of guns, drug rings, organized crime – Risk of entrapment • Internal Affairs (IA) – Investigating officers within the department – Often unpopular with peers and labeled “rat” Chapter 7 14 Juvenile Officers Because juveniles commit a disproportionate number of local crimes, all officers are juvenile officers much of the time. Officers have broad discretion and may do any of the following: Release to parents Refer to other agency Place in detention Refer to juvenile court Chapter 7 15 Vice Officers Vice officers usually concentrate their efforts on Illegal gambling (gaming) Prostitution Pornography Narcotics Liquor violations Chapter 7 16 SWAT Officers SWAT team officers are immediately available, flexible, mobile officers used to deploy against any emergency or crime problem. They seek to contain and neutralize dangerous situations. Chapter 7 17 K-9-Assisted Officers K-9s may be specifically trained in • Search • Attack and capture • Drug detection • Bomb detection • Crime deterrence Chapter 7 18 Reserve Officers • Also called auxiliary police • Patrol in uniform as visible symbol of law enforcement • Cannot write citations • Variety of functions: public education programs, street patrol, search and rescue • Used more in smaller, rural agencies Chapter 7 19