Criminal Investigations

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Criminal Investigations

• Chapter 1
• Criminal Investigations An Overview

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Objectives

• Students will know what a criminal investigation
  is
• The major goals of a criminal investigation
• What basic functions investigators perform
• What characteristics are important to
  investigators
• Who usually arrives at the crime scene first
• What should be done initially

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Objectives Cont..

• What to do if a suspect is still at a crime scene
• How the crime scene and evidence are protected
  and for how long
• What responsibilities are included in the
  preliminary investigation.
• What the meaning and importance of res gestae
  statements are
• How to determine whether if a crime has been
  committed

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Objectives Cont..

• Who is responsible for solving crimes
• With whom investigators must relate
• How to avoid civil lawsuits

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Introduction

• On April 19 1995 Trooper Charlie Hanger of the
  Oklahoma Highway Patrol observed a 1977 Mercury
  Marguis with no license plate. Upon pulling over
  the driver, a white male to question him the
  trooper noticed a bulge in the mans clothing
  which turned out to be a gun. The driver was
  arrested and was later found to be responsible
  for the worst terrorist attack on our nation in
  history. One hundred and sixty eight people
  died at the hands of Mr. Timothy McVeigh.

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Introduction Cont..

• Some say it was plain luck that McVeigh was
  caught. Others say it is when good preparation
  meets opportunity. An observant officer can
  initiate an important investigation without
  realizing it at first. Many times investigations
  are initiated by concerned citizens and officers
  who observe suspicions activity

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Investigations

• The initial response is crucial to the success of
  an investigation
• It is believed that most cases are won or lost in
  court
• Most cases are actually lost during the first
  hour of the investigation during the initial
  response than in court

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Investigations Cont..

• No crimes are identical even if they are
  committed by the same person
• Each investigation is unique
• Investigators should follow policy guidelines to
  ensure investigations are thorough and effective

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Investigation Defined

• A criminal investigation is defined as the
  process of discovering , collecting, preparing,
  identifying and presenting evidence to determine
  what happened and who is responsible
• Investigators may investigate alone or seek the
  assistance of other law enforcement agencies,
  medial professionals, or insurance claims
  adjustors

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Terms Investigators Must Understand

• Crime- An act in violation of penal law and an
  offense against the state
• Felony- A serious crime graver than a misdemeanor
  punishable by death or imprisonment for more than
  1 year
• Misdemeanor- A crime or offense less serious than
  a felony punishable by fine or imprisonment up to
  one year

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Other Terms

• Criminal Statue- Is a legislative act relating to
  a crime and its punishment
• Ordinance- Is an act of a legislative body of a
  municipality or county that will enforce local
  laws and rules
• Elements of a crime- The specific conditions that
  must occur for there to be a crime
• MO (Modus Operandi) Recognizing the work of a
  specific criminal

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Modus Operandi

• Most investigators use the MO point of view to
  investigate a crime
• They look at the suspects habits, techniques and
  peculiarities of behavior
• Example-All burglaries in a certain neighborhood
  are committed between 11 am and 1 pm daily

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Goals of Criminal Investigations

• Not so simple as whodunit
• Determine if a crime has in fact been committed
• Legally obtain information and evidence to
  identify the responsible person
• Arrest the suspect
• Present the best possible case to the prosecutor

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Crimes in General

• When committing crimes most people make mistakes

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Crimes Cont..

• They leave some type of trace evidence
• Investigators should try not to over look this
  type of evidence such as a jacket, pen, or purse
• Left for many reasons due to carelessness, panic,
  underestimation of police capabilities, influence
  of drugs or alcohol
• Most common trace evidence is fingerprints,small
  particles of glass, dirt, footprint, body hairs,
  or fibers

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Solvability Factors

• Investigators should learn when a case is
  unsolvable but only after all leads are exhausted
• The best investigators can find leads even when
  the trail grows cold

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Successful Investigations

• Follow a logical sequence
• All physical evidence is legally obtained
• Witnesses Are effectively interviewed
• All suspects legally and effectively interrogated
• All leads are thoroughly developed
• All details are accurately recorded and reported

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Characteristics of an Effective Investigator

• Intellectual Char
• Ability to obtain and retain information
• Ability to apply technical knowledge
• Remain open minded
• Remain objective

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Psychological Characteristics

• Emotionally well balanced
• Detached
• Inquisitive
• Suspecting
• Humble
• Self-disciplined

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Physical Characteristics

• Healthy
• Physically fit
• Have good vision and hearing

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Initial Response

• Usually a patrol officer responds
• If it is within 1 minute chances of an arrest are
  very high
• Using the bulls eye approach all units converge
  to the scene

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Initial Response Cont..

• It is important to arrive at the scene rapidly
  because
• The suspect may still be at the scene
• Injured persons may need emergency care
• Witnesses may still be at the scene
• A dying person may have a confession

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Initial Response Cont..

• Weather conditions may destroy the crime scene
• Someone may attempt to alter the crime scene

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Point of Arrival

• Officers are to take charge immediately
• There will be confusion
• People will be excited and confused
• At this point statements given are usually called
  excited utterances these are better known as
  Res gestae statements which are spontaneous
  statements closely related to the actions
  involved in the scene
• These statements are considered more truthful
  later

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Setting Priorities

• Handle the emergencies first- If a suspect is
  shooting at you that obviously becomes the
  priority
• Secure the scene-Tape off the area and dont let
  anyone in you dont know and establish a log book
• Investigate-Think like the suspect and look for
  possible escape routes

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Priorities Continued

• Depending on the number of officers available if
  a suspect is apprehended at or near the scene
  he/she should be detained and questioned and then
  released or arrested
• If the suspect has fled attempt to get a
  description and direction of travel and if any
  items were taken
• Treating seriously injured parties should be
  often a top priority
• If a dead body is found dont let it consume all
  of your attention

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Preliminary Investigation

• Responsibilities include
• Measuring, photographing, videotaping, and
  sketching the crime scene
• Searching for evidence
• Identifying and collecting, examining and
  processing physical evidence
• Questioning victims
• Recording all statements and observations in
  notes

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Avoiding Civil Liability

• Know the law
• Dont falsely accuse anyone
• Know your department policies
• Educate yourself to fine tune your investigative
  skills
• Dont get involved off duty unless it is a
  priority

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The End
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Things to Do