Criminal Investigations

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

Crime Scene Any place where a crime has been committed

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

Characteristics of a good investigator Self discipline Patience Attention to detail Initiative

Sensitivity and compassion Objectivity perseverance

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

3 search categories Hot search Warm search Cold search

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

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

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

Types of evidence Direct Circumstantial exculpatory

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

Exculpatory evidence Physical evidence that clears a person of blame Ex: suspect has different DNA than found on the victim of a rape

Direct evidence Stands alone Ex: eyewitness testimony

Interview Planned questioning of a witness or victim to gather information

Interrogation Planned questioning of suspect, hostile witness, or the accused

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