NCJ Number
155500
Date Published
1994
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This paper summarizes the session on the "Effective Investigation of Urban Crime" held at the 95th International Training Course on "Effective Countermeasures Against Crimes Related to Urbanization and Industrialization -- Urban Crime, Juvenile Delinquency, and Environmental Crime."
Abstract
The report notes that the characteristics of urban crime have presented particular investigative problems. These characteristics include the relative anonymity of urban dwellers in their social environment, the rapid development of trade and commerce, communications, technology, and transportation. In discussing the conditions and problems that make investigations difficult, the report focuses on "ordinary" crimes, white-collar (economic) crimes, technology-related crimes, and drug- related/organized crimes. Problems in the investigation of these urban crimes are identified for various participating countries, including the Philippines, China, Singapore, Japan, and Pakistan. Some suggestions for coping with investigative problems focus on an increase in investigative personnel, improved training for criminal investigators, the use of new technologies in investigations, the creation of special units to focus on particular types of crime, improved intelligence operations, legislation, early intervention, crime prevention and education, and interagency cooperation. Ways to elicit greater citizen cooperation in investigations are also discussed.