NCJ Number
177497
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: Winter 1999 Pages: 39-46
Date Published
1999
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Gang homicides have been historically difficult to solve because of the nature of gangs, fear among witnesses to assist the police, and inexperience of prosecuting attorneys who have trouble making a jury understand why a gang member committed a violent act.
Abstract
Police officers who conduct gang homicide investigations must be knowledgeable of how to conduct a criminal investigation and must have a working knowledge of gangs in their jurisdictions. When a case is completed, the investigation must be used as a learning experience for the lead investigator and as a training tool for other investigators. In particular, mistakes made during the investigation must not be covered up. At the same time, such mistakes must not be used to punish an individual police officer and must instead be identified so they are not repeated in future investigations. The most difficult thing to learn with respect to gang homicide investigations is the patience to see an investigation through to a successful conclusion. Duties of the lead investigator in handling gang homicide cases are delineated. Procedures for delegating specific investigation assignments, reviewing and organizing gang homicide cases, interviewing suspects, making an arrest, and preparing for trial are described. The use of gang intelligence to facilitate police investigations is discussed.