Chapter 22 Crime & Punishment

Access To previous criminal records Internet has improved access Sex offender registries Court records databases Public records of court cases Background check websites

University records Juvenile offender records Crime scene access

Guidelines for reporting crime stories Victims Suspects Cause of fatalities/injuries

Location of incident Time of incident What happened

Arrests & Charges filed Eyewitness accounts Role play

Play detective Gather graphics Use the telephone

Specific types of crimes Motor vehicle accidents Speed, destination & direction of vehicles Location at the time of accident Cause of accident, arrests, citations/damages Victims use of required equipment Seatbelts, helmets, lights, etc Weather related info (if relevant) Rescue attempts/Acts of heroism Customary to lead with fatalities & injuries

Specific types of crimes Burglaries/Robberies What was taken & it’s value Types of weapons used (robberies) How entry was made Similar circumstances (frequency of crime/odd conditions)

Specific types of crimes Homicides Weapon (Specific description) Clues and motives (from police) Specific wounds Official cause of death (from coroner or police) Circumstances of suspect’s arrest Lots of details From relatives, neighbors, friends, officials, eyewitnesses, etc

Specific types of crimes Fires Time fire started Fireman response time, time fire was under control Number of fireman responding, number of trucks Evacuations & where people were taken (if applicable) Injuries & fatalities Cause

When fatalities or injuries occur in a fire Who discovered the fire Description of building Estimated cost of damages Presence & condition of smoke detectors Fire inspection record When fatalities or injuries occur in a fire They should be mentioned in your lead

Court Stories Review the details for Court stories – Pg 427 Criminal court process – Pg 429 Terms used in court reporting – Pg 432