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Questions and Answers
What is the primary objective of a criminal investigation in auto theft?
Which of the following is a characteristic of 'Joy Riding' auto theft?
Where are VINs typically located on U.S.-produced vehicles?
What is the purpose of determining the year of a vehicle using the VIN?
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Which of the following is an exception to the normal placement of VINs on U.S.-produced vehicles?
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What is the term for stealing accessories from a vehicle?
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What is a common reason for vehicles to be stolen and resold?
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What is a technique used by thieves to steal vehicles?
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What is the purpose of damaging the locking mechanism of the ignition switch?
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What is a common location where vehicles are stolen from?
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What is the purpose of checking the financial status of a vehicle owner?
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What is the purpose of the check digit in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?
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What is a common indicator that a vehicle may be stolen?
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What is the purpose of inspecting the glove box and trunk of a vehicle?
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What is the purpose of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?
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What is a common method used by thieves to make stolen vehicles appear legitimate?
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Study Notes
Auto Theft Investigation
Objectives
- Identify and explain common motives for auto theft
- Identify commonly used auto theft techniques and methods
- Identify the procedure for determining if auto theft fraud has occurred
- Identify the year of the vehicle involved, given a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from an American-made vehicle
- Identify where VIN's are located and how they are attached for U.S.-produced vehicles
Theft Categories (Motives)
- Joy Riding
- Usually involves young offenders
- Vehicle is driven for a short time and then abandoned
- Accessories are sometimes removed and sold
- Use in Crime
- Vehicle is used for transportation to the scene of another crime or for actual use in a crime
- Eliminates the possibility of being identified through the license plate of the vehicle
- Stripping
- Removal of parts and accessories for personal use or resale
- VIN is often hidden
- Resale
- Theft for insurance reasons
- Example: John Canard and his jeep
Common Auto Theft Techniques
Keys Left in Ignition
- Thief looks for parked vehicles with keys left in the ignition
- Often targets convenience stores and shopping centers
Slim Jim/Ignition Defeating Device
- Device used to manipulate door lock and gain access to the vehicle
- Can be hand-made
- Once inside, thief uses tool to damage ignition switch
Window Smash
- Thief breaks vehicle window to gain access
- Ignition switch is then defeated
Auto Theft Fraud
- Owner-initiated fraud for financial gain
- Examples: wrecked vehicle, insurance gain
- Often reported from large shopping centers
- Fraud cases can be difficult to prove due to lack of witnesses and crime scene evidence
Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN)
Explanation
- Characters are read from left to right
- Position #1: Country of manufacture
- Position #2: Manufacturing company
- Position #3: Make of Vehicle
- Position #4 and 5: Car line/series
- Position #6: Body style
- Position #7: Restraint codes
- Position #8: Engine type
- Position #9: Check digit
- Position #10: Model year
- Position #11: Plant location
- Positions #12-17: Production sequence number
VIN Locations
- Dashboard
- Driver's Door
- Engine block
- Attached by Rosette Rivet on U.S.-made GMC, Ford, Chrysler, and AMC vehicles since 1975
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Description
This quiz covers the investigation of auto theft, including motives, techniques, and procedures for determining fraud. It also covers Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) and their importance in auto theft cases.
