PROSECUTOR'S ROLE (FROM INVESTIGATION OF ARSON, CRIME SCENES AND VEHICULAR PROBLEMS, 1976 BY WILLIAM G ECKERT SEE NCJ-44516)

• NCJ Number: 44522
• Author(s): K SANBORN
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: Inform Milton Helpern International
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

ACTIONS WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN BY THE PROSECUTOR FROM THE CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION UP TO THE TRIAL ARE PRESENTED.

Abstract

THERE IS A COMMON MISTAKEN BELIEF THAT THE PROSECUTOR IS NOT INVOLVED IN A CASE UNTIL IT IS READY TO BE FILED. HE SHOULD, IN FACT, BE AWARE OF THE FUNCTIONS OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE INVESTIGATIVE TEAM FROM THE POLICE PATROL UP. AT THE CRIME SCENE ITSELF HE SHOULD BE PRESENT AND HELP TO PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE SCENE AND THE EVIDENCE. WHEN HE DOES GO TO COURT, HE MUST NOT ONLY TRY TO PROVE WHAT HAPPENED, BUT ALSO PROVE TO THE JURORS THAT HE AND THE POLICE INVESTIGATORS HAVE DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ASSIST THEM IN ARRIVING AT THE TRUTH. THE PROSECUTOR'S ROLE IS SEEN AS A PART OF THE ENTIRE TEAM, ACTING TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED, COLLECT AND PRESERVE EVIDENCE AND TESTIMONY, AND PRESENT A CLEAR PICTURE TO THE JURY. HE CAN ALSO BE USEFUL AT THE AUTOPSY TO POINT OUT TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER SOME IMPORTANT THINGS TO LOOK FOR, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF OVERALL CRIME. (VDA)