NCJ Number
18465
Date Published
Unknown
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A PROPOSAL FOR INSTITUTING MAJOR POLICE INVESTIGATIONS OF CRIMES COMMITTED BY KNOWN PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS OR RECIDIVISTS TO AID IN THE EFFECTIVE PROSECUTION AND CONVICTION OF THIS TYPE OF OFFENDER.
Abstract
THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS, IN A WORKING PAPER, STATED THAT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SHOULD BE DEVELOPED TO IDENTIFY CRIMINAL CASES WHICH, BECAUSE OF EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE OR THE DEFENDANTS' CRIMINAL HOSTORIES, REQUIRES SPECIAL ATTENTION BY THE PROSECUTING AGENCY. THE AUTHOR STATES THAT UPON THE ARREST OF SUCH MAJOR CRIMINALS, MAJOR INVESTIGATIONS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED TO INSURE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE FOR SPEEDY CONVICTION. THESE INVESTIGATIONS WOULD INCLUDE A FULL CRIME SCENE SEARCH, CAREFUL INVENTORIES OF ALL TOOLS OR INSTRUMENTS USED IN THE OFFENSE, INVENTORY OF ALL EVIDENCE, MAINTENANCE OF THE CHAIN OF EVIDENCE, ADVICE AND CONSULTATION WITH THE PROSECUTING AUTHORITY, AND CASE REVIEW AT SEVERAL LEVELS TO INSURE THAT A SUBSTANTIAL CASE IS DEVELOPED. IT IS EXPECTED THAT FULL PROSECUTION AND CONVICTION OF THESE MAJOR OFFENDERS WOULD HAVE A DETERRENT EFFECT ON OTHERS.