16 Questions
What is the primary focus of a criminal investigation?
Fulfilling the primary objectives
What is the main objective of a preliminary investigation?
Determining the type of theft
What is a common problem associated with theft investigations?
Lack of physical evidence
How are felony and misdemeanor theft cases typically handled?
Similarly with varying levels of prosecution
What is the difference between inter-state and intra-state shipments in terms of theft?
Jurisdiction and agency responsible for investigation
What type of theft involves deception and is also known as 'Pigeon Drop'?
Stealing by deceit
What determines the gravity of a theft offense, including how it will be prosecuted and by whom?
Value of the property taken
What is a key challenge in investigating thefts?
The time element, which often favors the thief
What is the first step when arriving at a theft crime scene?
Identify witnesses
What type of theft is always a felony, regardless of the value of the property?
All of the above
What should an officer do when investigating a theft that involves the U.S. Mail?
Notify the postal inspector
What is a key difference between intra-state and inter-state investigations?
Intra-state involves one state, while inter-state involves multiple states
What is systematic stealing?
The continual process of larceny from an account in a stealth method
Why do investigations that involve multiple states often have lower arrest rates?
Because of the time, space, and the number of people involved
What is a common problem in theft investigations?
Dealing with the time element, which favors the thief
What should an officer do when investigating a theft that may involve a federal crime?
Notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Study Notes
Introduction to Theft Investigation
- Theft is the most common crime for gain and is considered a crime of opportunity.
- Theft results in extreme dollar loss, which is made up in higher prices.
Categories of Theft
- Felony theft: when the value of stolen property is high, or when the suspect physically takes property from the person of the victim.
- Misdemeanor theft: when the value of stolen property is low.
Exceptions to Felony Theft
- Theft of a credit card or letter of credit is always a felony.
- Theft of a firearm is always a felony.
- Theft of a narcotic drug is always a felony.
- Theft of an animal is always a felony.
Challenges in Theft Investigation
- Most theft investigations involve past crimes, making it difficult to investigate.
- Time favors the thief, making it a challenge for the officer to investigate effectively.
- Crimes of violence have an inherent motivation for the officer, whereas theft investigations require the officer to seek motivation within themselves.
Initial Response to a Theft Scene
- Identify witnesses.
- Secure the scene.
- Protect the scene.
- Evaluate the crime.
Investigative Points to Remember
- Always check the area of the theft for evidence, even if none is apparent.
- Conduct an area canvass to locate witnesses.
- Misdemeanor theft violations may be prosecuted under county or municipal ordinance.
- Thefts involving the U.S. Mail require notification of the postal inspector.
Inter-State and Intra-State Theft Investigations
- Intra-state investigations occur within a state and can be investigated by local agencies.
- Inter-state investigations involve multiple states and require cooperation between agencies.
- Shipment of goods and services involving multiple states can lead to lower arrest rates due to the complexity of investigations.
Types of Theft
- Systematic stealing: continual process of larceny, often involving embezzlement.
- Stealing by deceit: replacing accounts with false information, numbers, or objects to fool others.
- Till tapping or embezzlement: taking small amounts of money to avoid detection.
- Surveillance is an effective way to catch these thieves.
This quiz covers the objectives and procedures of a criminal investigation, including the primary objectives and steps taken in a preliminary investigation, with a focus on theft investigation.
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