Criminal Investigations

1
Criminal Investigations

• Burglary
• Chapter 12

2
Student Objectives

• Define Burglary
• Know the basic difference between robbery and
  burglary
• Know the 2 classifications of burglary
• The elements of burglary
• Any additional elements
• Define the possession of burglary tools

3
Objectives Continued

• Know the special challenges to burglary
  investigations
• How safes are broken into
• What type of evidence is usually found at the
  burglary scene
• Know the MO factors
• Where to search for stolen property
• What are the elements for receiving stolen
  property
• What you can do to prevent burglary

4
Introduction

• Burglary is the unlawful entry of a structure to
  commit a crime
• Burglary is reported by frequency and by the
  value of the property stolen and recovered

5
Burglary vs. Robbery

• Burglary differs from robbery in that burglars
  are covert, seeking to remain unseen, whereas
  robbers confront their victims directly
• Burglary is a crime against property
• Robbery is a crime against a person

6
Classification

• Residential is one that occurs in buildings,
  structures or attachments that are used as or are
  suitable for dwellings

7
Lifestyle Exposure Theory

• Lifestyle/exposure theory links victimization
  risks to the daily activities of specific
  individuals

8
Classification Cont.

• Routine activity theory crime results from the
  convergence of three elements in time and space
• A presence of likely or motivated offenders
• A presence of suitable targets
• An absence of capable guardians to prevent the
  criminal act

9
Classification Cont.

• Commercial burglary is one that involves
  churches, schools, barns public buildings, shops,
  offices, stores, factories, warehouses, stables,
  ships and railroad cars

10
Elements of the Crime of Burglary

• Entering a structure
• Without the consent of the person in possession
• With the intent to commit a crime therein
• Elements of burglary can also include breaking
  into the dwelling of another during the nighttime

11
Establishing the Severity of the Burglary

• A burglarys severity is determined by the
  presence of dangerous devices in the burglars
  possession or the value of the property stolen

12
Elements of the Crime Possession of Burglary
Tools

• Possessing any device, explosive or other
  burglary tools
• With intent to use or permit their use to commit
  burglary

13
Responding to a Burglary Call

• Proceed to a burglary scene quietly
• Be observant and cautious at the scene
• Search the premises inside and outside for the
  burglar

14
The Preliminary Investigation

• Interview witnesses
• Check physical evidence
• Follow up evidence

15
Preliminary Investigation of a Residential
Burglary

• Contact the resident
• Establish points and methods of entry
• Collect and preserve evidence
• Determine the type and amount of loss with
  complete descriptions
• Describe MO
• Check for recent callers
• Canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, evidence,
  discarded stolen articles

16
Preliminary Investigation of a Commercial Burglary

• Contact the owner
• Protect the scene
• Establish point and method of entry
• Locate, collect and preserve evidence
• Narrow the time frame of the crime
• Determine the type and amount of loss
• Determine who closed the establishment, who was
  present and who had keys
• Describe MO
• Identify friends of employees
• Rule out a faked or staged burglary for insurance
  reasons

17
Special Challenges in Investigation

• Special challenges in investigating burglary
  include
• False alarms
• Determination of the means of entry into a
  structure
• As well as into objects such as safes or vaults
  and recovery of the stolen property

18
Determining Entry Into Structures

• Jimmying is the most common method of entry to
  commit burglary
• Hit and run burglary theft in which a window is
  smashed to steal merchandise also called smash
  and grab

19
Determining Entry Into Safes and Vaults

• Safes and vaults are entered illegally by
• Punching
• Peeling
• Pulling
• Blowing
• Burning
• Chopping
• Sometimes burglars simply haul the safes away

20
Obtaining Physical Evidence

• Physical evidence at a burglary scene includes
• Fingerprints, footprints, and tire prints
• Tools, tool marks
• Broken glass, safe insulation, paint chips
• Personal possessions

21
Modus Operandi Factors

• Important MO factors include
• The time
• Type of victim
• Type of premises
• Point and means of entry
• Type of property taken
• Any peculiarities of the offense

22
Recovering Stolen Property

• Check with fences, pawnshops, secondhand stores,
  flea markets and informants for leads in
  recovering stolen property

23
Preventing Burglary

• Install adequate locks, striker plates and door
  frames
• Install adequate indoor and outdoor lighting
• Provide clearly visible addresses
• Install burglar-proof sidelight window glass
  beside doors
• Install a burglar alarm