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Questions and Answers
What is the main objective of a criminal investigation?
What is the crime of property damage also known as?
Where are Federal Law violations prosecuted?
What is the classification of 1st degree property damage?
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Who prosecutes State Statute violations?
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What is the main purpose of conducting an on-scene investigation?
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Where are County Ordinance violations prosecuted?
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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?
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Who prosecutes county ordinance violations?
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What is the purpose of a summons in ordinance violations?
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What is a crime scene?
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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?
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Where are municipal ordinance violations prosecuted?
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What is the procedure for investigating mailbox damage?
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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?
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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.
