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Questions and Answers
What is the main objective of a criminal investigation?
What is the main objective of a criminal investigation?
What is the crime of property damage also known as?
What is the crime of property damage also known as?
Where are Federal Law violations prosecuted?
Where are Federal Law violations prosecuted?
What is the classification of 1st degree property damage?
What is the classification of 1st degree property damage?
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Who prosecutes State Statute violations?
Who prosecutes State Statute violations?
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What is the main purpose of conducting an on-scene investigation?
What is the main purpose of conducting an on-scene investigation?
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Where are County Ordinance violations prosecuted?
Where are County Ordinance violations prosecuted?
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Why is the victim essential to the successful prosecution of a property damage crime?
Why is the victim essential to the successful prosecution of a property damage crime?
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What is the degree of property damage with a damage amount of $750.00?
What is the degree of property damage with a damage amount of $750.00?
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Who prosecutes county ordinance violations?
Who prosecutes county ordinance violations?
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What is the purpose of a summons in ordinance violations?
What is the purpose of a summons in ordinance violations?
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What is a crime scene?
What is a crime scene?
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What is the overriding factor in the prosecution of property damage cases?
What is the overriding factor in the prosecution of property damage cases?
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Who can be a prosecuting victim in a property damage case?
Who can be a prosecuting victim in a property damage case?
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Where are municipal ordinance violations prosecuted?
Where are municipal ordinance violations prosecuted?
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What is the procedure for investigating mailbox damage?
What is the procedure for investigating mailbox damage?
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What is the characteristic of a property damage crime scene?
What is the characteristic of a property damage crime scene?
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Why is it important to work hard to solve property damage cases?
Why is it important to work hard to solve property damage cases?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Property Damage Investigations
- Property damage, also known as destruction of property or vandalism, is a crime against property.
- It is a violation of federal law, state statute, county, and municipal ordinance.
Objectives of Investigation
- Identify why the prosecuting victim is essential to the successful prosecution of property damage cases.
- Identify the proper procedure for conducting the on-scene investigation.
- Identify common problems encountered when investigating property damage offenses.
- Identify other agencies that may need to be notified regarding specific types of property damage offenses.
Federal, State, and Local Jurisdiction
- Federal Law violations are prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office before a United States Magistrate.
- State Statute violations are prosecuted by the county prosecuting attorney's office in the County Associate Circuit Court.
- County Ordinance violations are prosecuted by the county counselor’s office in the proper associate circuit court.
- Municipal ordinance violations are prosecuted by that municipality's attorney in municipal court.
Crime Scene Investigation
- A crime scene is the physical location where a suspect either commits an illegal act or leaves physical evidence of such an act.
- Important questions to ask the victim:
- Date and time of the crime
- Identification of damaged property and estimated value
- Suspicious people or activity in the area prior to the crime
- Officer's responsibilities at the crime scene:
- Look for and seize any evidence located at the scene
- Conduct an area canvass to find possible witnesses
- Check with neighbors and identify them by name, address, and phone number
Prosecuting Victim
- The prosecuting victim may be:
- Family member
- Person with care and custody of the property
- Owner
- Manager
- Caretaker
- In cases involving municipal property, the victim is the municipality.
- In cases involving state property, the victim is the State of Missouri.
- In cases involving federal property, the victim is the United States Government.
Special Cases
- Mailbox damage: notify postal inspector and send a copy of the report.
- Theft of mail: notify postal inspector who will do follow-up.
- Ethnic intimidation: use federal laws if county or municipalities do not have similar laws or ordinances.
Officer's Investigation
- Keep in mind the following when investigating property damage cases:
- Cold crime scene
- Few witnesses
- Low clearance rate
- Low priority for police officers
- High priority for citizens
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Description
This quiz covers the primary objectives of a criminal investigation, including procedures and steps taken in a preliminary investigation. Learn about offense investigations and property damage.
