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The Investigative Process

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.

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The Investigative Process

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  1. The Investigative Process The responsibility of all who work within the field of criminal justice, both public and private investigators

  2. Reasons to investigate: 1. Criminal act – 2. Background check – 3. Department policy – 4. Citizen complaint – 5. Rumors -

  3. 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”

  4. Goals • Determine if a crime has been committed • Legally obtain evidence and information to identify suspects • Identification / arrest of suspects • Recover stolen property • Present solid case to prosecutor

  5. Both Science and Art • Laws of nature / scientific principles • Investigator’s ‘ART’ still relied on • Called hunch, gut feeling, or instinct • Experience, observation, and study • Learning / applying / changing

  6. Successful Investigation • Logical sequence followed • Available evidence legally obtained • Witnesses located / effectively interviewed • Suspects effectively / legally interrogated

  7. Success, cont. • Leads thoroughly developed / followed through • Details accurately and completely recorded / reported • Evidence properly packaged / stored • Professional presentation in court - includes evidential testimony

  8. Functions of Investigator • Protect yourself and others - primary function • Provide emergency assistance - if qualified • Secure location / crime scene - already discussed • Initial observation / walk through - understanding of crime

  9. Functions, cont. • Photograph / video / sketch / record • Make notes or recordings to write reports - maintain notebook for court • Search for physical evidence - take custody of - process all evidence • Obtain information from all who have knowledge

  10. Functions, cont. • Identify suspect or primary • Conduct surveillance / stakeouts / other undercover assignments • Conduct raids when necessary • Testify in court

  11. Overview of Investigation • Investigate: determine if crime occurred (Vestigare) • Patient inquiry: reconstruct crime (observation / examination / looking into / searching) • Overriding goal: thorough / objective search for truth • Police want to know: what happened / who is responsible

  12. Overview, cont. • 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

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