Overview An Overview of Investigating 1.

Defining an Investigation
2. Practices to follow during an Investigation
3. Art or Science?
Types of Investigations
1. Criminal-Non criminal
2. Reactive- Proactive
3. Overt-Covert
The Investigating Questions
1. Patterns, Leads, Tips, and Theories

3 Investigation Defined
Investigation: the systematic and thorough examination or inquiry into something or someone
(the collection of facts or information) and the recording of this examination or inquiry in a report.
The word investigate can be traced back to the Latin word investigare, meaning "to search into.”
Investigare is based on another Latin word, vestigare, meaning "to track or to trace."

4 Investigation, Art or Science?

Both!
Investigating is a science because there are certain rules that should be followed to conduct a
successful investigation. Pure sciences and applied sciences play an increasingly important role
in the investigating process.
Investigating is an art because it depends on the human skills of the investigator, including
interpersonal communication and creativity.

5 Practices to follow during an Investigation

A logical sequence must be followed
Real, physical evidence must be legally obtained
Real, physical evidence must be properly stored and preserved.
Witnesses must be identified, interviewed, and
prepared for any potential or actual litigation
Leads must be developed.
Reports and documentation must be collected
Information must be accurately and completely recorded.
Evidence collected must correlate to
the claim cause of action, or offence charged

6 Criminal vs. Non Criminal

Criminal: jurisdiction of police/government agencies.
Non-criminal investigations: involve the investigation
of non-criminal incidents or events.
Non-criminal investigations may be conducted by the public, police or private investigators. The
main difference between non-criminal investigations by the public, police and by private
investigators is that police investigations are funded by the government, whereas private
investigations are paid for by individual clients or businesses.

7 Reactive Investigation vs. Proactive Investigation

Reactive investigation is one that is instigated on the basis of a complaint registered by a victim
or client. For example, a person is the victim of a robbery and reports this robbery to the police-
the police then conduct a reactive investigation.
2 Types of reactive: The preliminary investigation and the follow-up or latent investigation. The
preliminary investigation is the initial inquiry into a reported crime and is generally conducted by
a uniformed patrol officer.

8 Reactive Investigation vs. Proactive Investigation

Proactive investigations are investigations conducted by the police based on their own initiative.
The proactive investigation is:
Designed to catch a criminal in the act of committing a crime, rather than waiting until a citizen
reports a crime. The three main types of proactive investigations are:
Decoy operations
Repeat offender programs
Undercover drug operations

9 Overt vs. Covert Investigation

An overt investigation is one that is conducted openly- investigators do not try to hide their true
identity or hide the fact that they are conducting the investigation. Most reactive investigations
are overt.
A covert investigation, on the other hand, is conducted in secret-the investigator tries to hide his
identity and the fact that he is conducting an investigation. Generally proactive investigations
are covert.
Covert investigations are more commonly called undercover investigations.

10 Basic Police Investigation

5 tasks during the preliminary reactive investigation by a patrol officer:
Conducts a preliminary search of the area of crime: to determine if the suspect is still present;
Renders first aid to any injured parties,
Detains, separates, and interviews any possible suspects or witnesses;
Restricts access to the area where the crime was committed to prevent the destruction of
evidence.
Prepares the first written report of the crime, which is generally called an incident or complaint
report.

11 Patterns & Leads

A pattern is a series of similarities that may link particular cases or indicate that the same
person is committing a series of crimes.
Leads are clues or pieces of information that aid in the progress of an investigation. Leads can
be physical evidence or information received by witnesses or other persons or through
surveillances, undercover investigations, and record searches. A lead is anything that can assist
an investigator in resolving an investigation.

12 Tips & Theories

Tips are leads provided by citizens that aid in the progress of an investigation. Generally tips
involve the identity of the suspect (eg. Crime Stoppers)
Theories are beliefs regarding the case based on evidence, patterns, leads, tips, and other
information developed or uncovered in a case. Theories are important because they direct the
investigation. Investigators have to be very careful in building theories about a case, because if
the theory is wrong, it may lead them in the wrong direction.
1 Criminal Investigation: An Overview
Chapter 1Criminal Investigation: An Overview
2 Criminal Investigation Defined
An investigation is a patient, step-by step inquiry or observation, a careful examination, a
recording of evidence or a legal inquiry.Investigate is derived from the Latin word investigare,
meaning “to track or trace.”
3 Crimes Defined IA crime is an act in violation of penal law and an offense against the state.A
felony is a serious crime, graver than a misdemeanor, generally punishable by death or
imprisonment of more than one year in a penitentiary.
4 Crimes Defined IIA misdemeanor is a crime or offense that is less serious than a felony and
punishable by fine or imprisonment of up to one year in an institution other than a penitentiary.A
criminal statute is a legislative act relating to a crime and its punishment.An ordinance is an act
of the legislative body of a municipality or county relating to all the rules governing it, including
misdemeanors.
5 Goals of Criminal Investigation
Determine whether a crime has been committed.Legally obtain information and evidence to
identify the responsible person.Arrest the suspect.Recover stolen property.Present the best
possible case to the prosecutor.
6 Examples of Trace Evidence
FingerprintsSmall particles of glassDirtFootprintsBody hairsClothing fiber
7 Successful Investigation
Follow a logical sequenceLegally obtain all physical evidenceEffectively interview all
witnessesLegally and effectively interrogate all suspectsThoroughly develop all leadsRecord
and report all details of the case
8 Always RememberDetermining the truth is more important than obtaining a conviction or
closing a case.
9 Functions Investigators Perform
Obtain information from witnesses and suspectsIdentify suspectsConduct raids, surveillances,
stakeouts, and undercover assignmentsTestify in courtProvide emergency assistanceSecure
the crime scenePhotograph, videotape, and sketchTake notes and write reportsSearch for,
obtain, and process physical evidence
10 Facts, Inferences, and Opinions
Fact: an action, an event, a circumstance, or an actual thing done.Inference: a process of
reasoning by which a fact may be deduced.Opinion: a personal belief.
11 Preliminary Investigation: Basic Considerations I
Initial responsePoint of arrivalSetting prioritiesHandle emergencies firstSecure the
sceneInvestigate
12 Preliminary Investigation: Basic Considerations II
Handling emergency situationsSuspect near or at the sceneSuspect recently fledPerson
seriously injuredDead bodyProtecting the crime scene
13 Responsibilities of Preliminary Investigation
Measuring, photographing, videotaping, and sketching a sceneSearching for
evidenceIdentifying, collecting, examining, and processing physical evidenceQuestioning
victims, witnesses, and suspectsRecording all statements and observations in notes
14 Crime AnalysisCrime analysis is the systematic gathering, evaluation, and analysis of
information on individuals and/or activities suspected of being, or known to be, criminal in
nature.
15 Facts in Support of Crime Mapping
Two-thirds of all crime occurs indoors, not visible to the police.Most serious crimes are
perpetrated within a short time frame.Patrol officers intercept less than 1 percent of street
crimes.The same 10 percent of locations within a jurisdiction generate approximately 65 percent
of that jurisdiction’s total calls for service.
16 Forensic Science/Criminalistics
The application of physical and biological sciences and technology to the scientific examination
of physical evidence.
17 Basic Needs of Victims Victims need to feel safe
Victims need to express their emotionsVictims need to know “what comes next” after their
victimization
18 Avoiding Civil Liability Against Police Officers
Effective policies and procedures clearly communicated to all.Thorough and continuous
training.Proper supervision and discipline.Accurate, thorough police reports.

1 Chapter 1 Criminal Investigation: An Overview

1-
2 Introduction
An observant police officer can initiate an important criminal investigation
Criminal investigation combines art and science
Requires extraordinary preparation and training
High-tech society
Citizens expect results more quickly
Investigators need to step up their technology and teamwork skills
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3 A Brief History of Criminal Investigation
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Bow Street Runners
Vidocq Society
Scotland Yard
Pinkerton National
Detective Agency
Major advances in criminal investigation
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4 Criminal Investigation Definitions
KEY DEFINITIONS
Investigate
Derived from Latin, vestigare, meaning to track or trace
Criminal investigation
Discovering, collecting, preparing, identifying and presenting evidence
Deductive reasoning
Logical process; conclusion follows from specific facts
Learning Objective:
Do you know what criminal investigation is?
A criminal investigation is the process of discovering, collecting, preparing, identifying and
presenting evidence to determine what happened and who is responsible.
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5 Other Terms Defined SPECIFIC TERMS Criminalist Forensic science Crime
Felony
Misdemeanor
Continued
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6 Other Terms Defined (Continued)
SPECIFIC TERMS
Criminal statute
Ordinance
Elements of the crime
Criminal intent
Modus operandi, or MO
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7 Goals of Criminal Investigations
SUCCESSFUL INVESTIGATIONS
Determine whether a crime has been committed
Legally obtain information and evidence to identify the responsible person
Arrest the suspect
Recover stolen property
Present the best possible case to the prosecutor
Learning Objective:
Do you know what the major goals of criminal investigation are?
Determine whether a crime has been committed.
Legally obtain information and evidence to identify the responsible person.
Arrest the suspect.
Recover stolen property.
Present the best possible case to the prosecutor.
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8 Basic Functions of Investigators
INVESTIGATOR FUNCTIONS
Provide emergency assistance
Secure the crime scene
Photograph, videotape and sketch
Take notes and write reports
Search for, obtain and process physical evidence
Continued
Learning Objective:
Do you know what basic functions investigators perform?
Provide emergency assistance.
Secure the crime scene.
Photograph, videotape and sketch.
Take notes and write reports.
Search for, obtain and process physical evidence.
Obtain information from witnesses and suspects.
Identify suspects.
Conduct raids, surveillances, stakeouts and undercover assignments.
Testify in court.
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9 Basic Functions of Investigators (Continued)
INVESTIGATOR FUNCTIONS
Obtain information from witnesses and suspects
Identify suspects
Conduct raids, surveillances, stakeouts and undercover assignments
Testify in court
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10 Characteristics of an Effective Investigator
SPECIFIC CHARACTER TRAITS
Intellectual
Psychological
Physical
Learning Objective:
What do effective investigators do?
Effective investigators obtain and retain information; apply technical knowledge; and remain
open-minded, objective and logical. They are also culturally adroit, that is, skilled in interacting
across gender, ethnic, generational, social and political group lines.
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11 An Overview of the Investigative Process
Usually initiated by personal observation or information from a citizen
Starts with a direction to proceed to a scene
Department policy defines who responds
Department policy defines duties of individuals
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12 The Preliminary Investigation: Basic Considerations
THE INITIAL RESPONSE
Suspect may still be at or near the scene
Injured persons may need emergency care
Witnesses may still be at the scene
Dying person may have confession/information
Weather may change/destroy evidence
Crime scene may be altered
Learning Objective:
Who usually arrives at a crime scene first?
The initial response is usually by a patrol officer assigned to the area where a crime has
occurred.
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13 The Preliminary Investigation: Basic Considerations
POINT OF ARRIVAL
Scene may be either utter confusion or deserted
SETTING PRIORITIES
Handle emergencies first
Secure the scene
Investigate
Learning Objective:
Do you know what should be done initially?
Handle emergencies first.
Secure the scene.
Investigate.
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14 The Preliminary Investigation: Basic Considerations
HANDLING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Sometimes emergencies dictate procedure
Emergency situations causes the adrenaline to flow
SUSPECT AT OR NEAR THE SCENE
Policy determines interrogations
Miranda warning
Learning Objective:
Do you know what to do if a suspect is still at a crime scene? Has recently fled the scene?
Any suspect at the scene should be detained, questioned and then released or arrested,
depending on circumstances.
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15 The Preliminary Investigation: Basic Considerations
PERSON IS SERIOUSLY INJURED
Emergency first aid
Call for medical assistance
Accompany suspects to hospital
DEAD BODY AT SCENE
Leave the body as found
Preserve the scene
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16 The Preliminary Investigation: Basic Considerations
PROTECTING THE CRIME SCENE
Major responsibility of the first officers to arrive
Locard’s principle of exchange
Scene is critical
Maintain security
Protect from destruction or
alteration from the elements
Learning Objective:
Do you know how the crime scene and evidence are protected and for how long?
All necessary measures to secure the crime scene must be taken—including locking, roping,
barricading and guarding—until the preliminary investigation is completed.
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17 The Preliminary Investigation: Basic Considerations
CONDUCTING THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
Questioning
Neighborhood canvass
Measuring, photographing,
videotaping and sketching
Searching for evidence
Processing physical evidence
Recording all statements
Learning Objective:
What responsibilities are included in the preliminary investigation?
Questioning victims, witnesses and suspects.
Conducting a neighborhood canvass.
Measuring, photographing, videotaping and sketching the scene.
Searching for evidence.
Identifying, collecting, examining and processing physical evidence.
Recording all statements and observations in notes.
What the meaning and importance of res gestae statements are?
Res gestae statements are spontaneous statements made at the time of a crime concerning
and closely related to actions involved in the crime. They are often considered more truthful
than later, planned responses.
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18 Crime Scene Investigators
SCIENTIFIC SPECIALIST
Specialist in organized scientific collection and processing of evidence
Processes and packages all physical evidence
Attends and documents autopsies
Writes reports and testifies in court
Crime scene technology degree

19 The Follow-Up Investigation

FACTORS FOR FOLLOW-UP
Many cases require a follow-up investigation
Factors exist that are beyond the officers’ control
Weather can destroy evidence
Witnesses can be uncooperative
Follow-up phase builds on what was learned

20 Computer-Aided Investigation
CRIME ANALYSIS, MAPPING AND GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Crime mapping and hot spots
DATA MINING
Sifting through information
Helps narrow the field of possible suspects

21 Problem-Oriented Policing
DEPARTMENT-WIDE STRATEGY
Aimed at solving persistent community problems
Identify, analyze and respond
Used in criminal investigations in many ways
Combining problem-oriented strategies with traditional investigative techniques

22 Investigative Productivity
Interest in the police field for some time
All jobs have some standard of productivity
Traditional evaluation
Number of cases assigned
Type of case assigned
Continuous evaluation

23 The Investigative Function: The Responsibility of All Police Personnel

SPECIALIZATION NEED
Criminals and their MOs
Investigative techniques
Leaving assigned shifts
Heavy patrol workloads
Increasing efficiency
Learning Objective:
Who is responsible for solving crimes?
The ultimate responsibility for solving crimes lies with all police personnel. It must be a
cooperative, coordinated departmental effort.
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24 Interrelationships with Others— Community Policing
COMMUNITY POLICING RELATIONSHIPS
Uniformed patrol, dispatchers, prosecutors
Physicians, coroners and medical examiners
Forensic crime laboratories
Citizens, victims, witnesses, media
Learning Objective:
Do you know with whom investigators must relate?
Using a community policing orientation, investigators interrelate with uniformed patrol officers,
dispatchers, the prosecutor’s staff, the defense counsel, supervisors, physicians, the coroner or
medical examiner, laboratories and citizens, including witnesses and victims.
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25 Major-Case Task Forces
COMBINED TASK FORCES
Necessary for many crimes involving drugs, gangs and terrorism
Multidisciplinary approach
Multijurisdictional investigation
Metro crime teams
Special investigation units

26 Law Enforcement Resources

FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
Numerous resources
Aid local and state agencies
INTERPOL
International Criminal Police Organization
Computerized database is available to law enforcement agencies worldwide

27 Avoiding Civil Liability

Effective policies and procedures clearly communicated to all
Thorough and continuous training
Proper supervision and discipline
Accurate, thorough police reports
Learning Objective:
Do you know how to avoid civil lawsuits?
Effective policies and procedures clearly communicated to all.
Thorough and continuous training.
Proper supervision and discipline.
Accurate, thorough police reports.
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28 Summary Determine whether a crime has been committed
Legally obtain sufficient information and evidence
Locate and arrest the suspect
Recover stolen property
Present the best possible case to the prosecutor
Cooperation and coordination of efforts are also required outside the police department
Criminal investigation is, indeed, a mutual effort
1-

1 Criminal Investigations
2 Criminal Investigation
Process of discovering, collecting, preparing, identifying, and presenting evidence to determine
what happened and who is reponsible

3 Crime Scene
Any place where a crime has been committed

4 Goals of Criminal Investigation

Determine if a crime has been committed
Legally obtain information and evidence
Arrest a suspect
Recover any stolen property
Present the best possible case to the prosecutor

5 Characteristics of a good investigator

Self discipline
Patience
Attention to detail
Initiative

6 Sensitivity and compassion

Objectivity
perseverance

7 Steps in criminal investigation

Arrive at the crime scene and secure it (patrol officer)
Preliminary investigation (patrol officer)
Follow up investigation (detectives)

8 3 search categories
Hot search
Warm search
Cold search

9 Hot search
Crime has just occurred and suspect may still be at scene

10 Warm Search
Search begins immediately and suspect is gone from the scene

11 Cold Search
Suspect has left the scene and time has passed since the incident

12 Types of evidence
Direct
Circumstantial
exculpatory

13 Circumstantial Evidence
Deductions or inferences from information collected during the investigation
Ex: suspect shoe size fits the footprint found at the crime scene

14 Exculpatory evidence Physical evidence that clears a person of blame

Ex: suspect has different DNA than found on the victim of a rape

15 Direct evidence
Stands alone
Ex: eyewitness testimony

16 Interview
Planned questioning of a witness or victim to gather information
17 Interrogation
Planned questioning of suspect, hostile witness, or the accused

18 Hostile witness
Someone who refuses to help in the investigation but has information about the crime