NCJ Number
10016
Date Published
1970
Length
291 pages
Annotation
POLICE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION FUNCTION, FROM THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION TO THE PREPARATION OF THE CASE FOR PROSECUTORIAL REVIEW.
Abstract
THE LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE OF EVIDENCE IS STRESSED. CRIME SCENE SEARCHES, THE COLLECTION OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, AND TECHNIQUES FOR INTERVIEWING WITNESSES ARE COVERED AS BASIC CONCEPTS OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. VARIOUS WAYS FOR DEVELOPING INVESTIGATIVE LEADS TO DISCOVER A SUSPECT'S IDENTITY ARE DISCUSSED. EYEWITNESSES AND THE CORROBORATING CIRCUMSTANCES OF MOTIVE, OPPORTUNITY, AND MODUS OPERANDI ARE TREATED IN DETAIL. LABORATORY SERVICES, OTHER SCIENTIFIC AIDS, SURVEILLANCE, SOURCES OF INFORMATION, POLICE INTELLIGENCE, AND INTERROGATION ARE PRESENTED AS ESSENTIAL AIDS TO THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR. AFTER A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE SCIENCE OF INQUIRY, THE SPECIAL SKILLS NECESSARY FOR INVESTIGATING CRIMES OF VIOLENCE, CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY, AND ORGANIZED CRIME ARE OUTLINED. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, A LIBRARY ASSIGNMENT, AND A WORKBOOK PROJECT ARE INCLUDED AT THE END OF EACH CHAPTER. THE TEXT WRITTEN PRIMARILY FOR USE IN COLLEGE LAW ENFORCEMENT COURSES, CAN BE OF VALUE TO POLICE OFFICERS, INVESTIGATORS, AND OTHERS INTERESTED IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. (SNI ABSTRACT)