NCJ Number
62980
Date Published
1977
Length
69 pages
Annotation
A GUIDE DESIGNED TO AID IN THE TRAINING OF NEW DEFENSE INVESTIGATORS IS PRESENTED; GENERAL DUTIES, INVESTIGATIVE FACILITIES, SUPERVISION, TRAINING, PREPARATION, RECORDS, INTERVIEWS, AND REPORT WRITING ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE PRIMARY REQUIREMENT OF DEFENSE INVESTIGATION IS TO FURNISH THE INFORMATION NECESSARY FOR THE CLIENT'S DEFENSE. THIS CAN ONLY BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND INVESTIGATOR. BECAUSE THE MAJOR PORTION OF THE INVESTIGATOR'S WORK CONSISTS OF INTERVIEWING PEOPLE, ESTABLISHMENT OF RAPPORT WITH ALL PERSONALITY TYPES IS ESSENTIAL. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH INTERVIEWING OR INTERROGATION AND OTHER PUBLIC CONTACT WORK IS HELPFUL. ALL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE IS BENEFICIAL, PARTICULARLY IN CRIMINOLOGY, ENGLISH, AND PSYCHOLOGY. TRAINING TAKES PLACE ON THE JOB. GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION AND HIGH MORAL AND ETHICAL STANDARDS MUST BE MAINTAINED. THE INVESTIGATOR SHOULD OBTAIN A UTILITARIAN OFFICE, A DEPENDABLE CAR, A TELEPHONE, REFERENCE BOOKS, A TYPEWRITER, AND OTHER MACHINES SUCH AS A COPIER. CAMERAS, CRIME SCENE EQUIPMENT, AND TAPE RECORDERS MAY BE NEEDED DEPENDING ON THE TYPES OF CASES INVESTIGATED. CASE ASSIGNMENT IS MADE BY THE INVESTIGATOR'S SUPERVISOR, BUT THE INVESTIGATOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE STATUS BOOK OR FILE ON THE CASE; CONTACT AND SOURCE CARDS SHOULD BE DEVELOPED FOR EACH CASE FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE USE. INTERVIEWS ARE CONDUCTED WITH THE CLIENT, VICTIM, AND WITNESSES. WITNESSES INCLUDE EYE WITNESSES, SECONDARY AND ALIBI WITNESSES, POLICE OFFICERS, EXPERT AND CONVICT WITNESSES, JUVENILES, AND STREET PEOPLE. THE INVESTIGATOR ALSO REVIEWS AND ANALYZES VARIOUS TYPES OF RECORDS FOR THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY (MEDICAL, PERSONNEL, CREDIT, BANK, POSTAL, SCHOOL, AND COURT RECORDS). THE INVESTIGATION REPORT IS THE FINAL STEP IN THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS. REPORTS MUST BE ACCURATE, COMPLETE, CONCISE, PRESENTED IN A LOGICAL MANNER, AND IN PROPER ENGLISH. (LWM)