NCJ Number
60128
Date Published
1978
Length
24 pages
Annotation
DETAILED METHODS FOR SEARCH AND SEIZURE ARE DESCRIBED WITH EMPHASIS ON GOOD PLANNING, ADHERENCE TO PROCEDURE, COOPERATION, AND COORDINATION IN THIS BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND FIREARMS NEW AGENT TRAINING MANUAL.
Abstract
THE MANUAL IS A HOW-TO GUIDE COVERING ALL ASPECTS OF RAIDS AND SEARCHES FROM BEGINNING WITH AN APPROPRIATE WARRANT, SELECTION OF PERSONNEL, IDENTIFICATION AND PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE, TO WRITING UP THE REPORT. KNOWLEDGE OF THE AREA TO BE RAIDED AND COOPERATION BETWEEN AGENTS IS STRESSED. DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENTERING AN OPEN OR BARRICADED BUILDING EITHER BY FORCE OR BY RUSE ARE GIVEN, AS WELL AS DIRECTIONS FOR RAIDING AN OPEN SPACE. THE SEARCH OF A RAIDED AREA SHOULD BE MADE ACCORDING TO TESTED PROCEDURES DEALT WITH IN THE MANUAL AND PERTAINING TO AGENTS' ATTITUDES AND REMARKS, SEGREGATION AND PHOTOGRAPHING OF THE CRIME SCENE, FINGERPRINT SEARCHES, NOTETAKING, MEASUREMENT, OBSERVATION OF SUSPECTS, AND EVIDENCE HANDLING, SO THAT EVIDENCE IS NEITHER OVERLOOKED NOR DESTROYED. COMMON PLACES OF CONCEALMENT ARE LISTED. PROPER HANDLING OF PRISONERS, AND QUESTIONING OF WITNESSES, BYSTANDERS, AND NEIGHBORS SHOULD FOLLOW THE LISTED PROCEDURES. PROPER STORAGE AND LABELING OF SEIZED ARTICLES IS NECESSARY IF THEY ARE TO BE USED AS EVIDENCE. GOOD JUDGMENT WILL DICTATE WHICH ARTICLES AND EVIDENCE ARE RELEVANT TO THE CRIME. THE KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL RAID IS PLANNING AND FOLLOWING PROCEDURE. (RFC)