NCJ Number
134600
Date Published
1992
Length
901 pages
Annotation
This textbook presents the fundamentals of criminal investigation and describes their application to some of the more important felonies.
Abstract
The first major section provides chapters on the background and overview of investigation. Chapters encompass the nature of crime; methods, evidence and examples that reconstruct a crime; and the responsibilities and attributes of an investigator. The second major section addresses sources and uses of information through physical evidence and people. Chapters on physical evidence address its development, interpretation, investigative value, discovery, preservation, collection, and transmission. People as sources of information covers the criminal, the victim, witnesses, persons acquainted with the suspect, and followup activities. A major section on how to seek and obtain information describes the use of interviews, records and files, and informants. Followup measures are discussed in another major section. This encompasses surveillance, guidelines and procedures for eyewitness identification, interrogation, and investigative strategy and practice. A major section on the management of investigations and the presentation of evidence is followed by a series of chapters on the investigation of specific crimes against the person, against property, and specialized investigations. The latter address terrorism, organized crime, economic crime, and white-collar crime. Chapter references, appended supplementary investigative techniques, a glossary, and a subject index