CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION PROCESS - A SUMMARY REPORT

• NCJ Number: 44810
• Author(s): J M CHAIKEN; P W GREENWOOD; J PETERSILIA
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 50 pages
• Grant Number(s): 73-NI-99-0037-G
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Rand Corporation
• Sale Source: National Technical Information Service; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION PROCESS IN MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENTS WAS STUDIED BY SURVEY, INTERVIEWS AND OBSERVATIONS, AND SPECIAL DATA COLLECTION.

Abstract

INVESTIGATIONS SPEND ABOUT 7 PERCENT OF THEIR TIME ON ACTIVITIES THAT LEAD TO SOLVING CRIMES. CASE SOLUTIONS REFLECT ACTIVITIES OF PATROL OFFICERS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, AND ROUTINE CLERICAL PROCESSING MORE THAN INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES. NEARLY HALF OF INVESTIGATORS' CASE-RELATED ACTIVITIES ARE DEVOTED TO POSTARREST PROCESSING; THESE ACTIVITIES ARE INADEQUATELY RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF PROSECUTORS. COLLECTING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AT CRIME SCENES DOES NOT HELP SOLVE CRIMES UNLESS EVIDENCE PROCESSING CAPABILITIES ARE ADEQUATE. POLICY IMPLICATIONS ARE DISCUSSED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT).