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What is the primary role of a suspect in a criminal investigation?
What is the primary role of a suspect in a criminal investigation?
A suspect is an individual pointed to by the victim or others as possibly being involved in the crime.
List two general principles that should guide a criminal investigator.
List two general principles that should guide a criminal investigator.
Two principles are 'Truth is Your Goal' and 'Respect for Human Rights'.
What distinguishes a primary source from a secondary source in criminal investigations?
What distinguishes a primary source from a secondary source in criminal investigations?
A primary source provides direct evidence from personal knowledge, while a secondary source provides hearsay evidence.
Why is the phrase 'garbage in, garbage out' relevant for investigators?
Why is the phrase 'garbage in, garbage out' relevant for investigators?
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Can an informant serve as a witness in a judicial proceeding? Why or why not?
Can an informant serve as a witness in a judicial proceeding? Why or why not?
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What is the importance of information in the context of criminal investigations?
What is the importance of information in the context of criminal investigations?
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What role does the investigator's personal integrity play in their work?
What role does the investigator's personal integrity play in their work?
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Identify one challenge investigators may face after a crime is committed.
Identify one challenge investigators may face after a crime is committed.
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What is the significance of reliable information in criminal investigations?
What is the significance of reliable information in criminal investigations?
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Differentiate between an informant and a confidential informant.
Differentiate between an informant and a confidential informant.
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List two methods through which an investigator can secure information.
List two methods through which an investigator can secure information.
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Why is it important for investigators to keep permanent records of offenders and informers?
Why is it important for investigators to keep permanent records of offenders and informers?
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What role do public and private records play in criminal investigations?
What role do public and private records play in criminal investigations?
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How can chance memoranda assist investigators?
How can chance memoranda assist investigators?
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What is the primary function of modus operandi files in investigations?
What is the primary function of modus operandi files in investigations?
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Explain the importance of informants in crime investigations.
Explain the importance of informants in crime investigations.
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What is the primary role of law enforcement professionals when preparing written reports?
What is the primary role of law enforcement professionals when preparing written reports?
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List the essential components that should be included in a crime report.
List the essential components that should be included in a crime report.
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Why is it important for law enforcement professionals to prevent personal opinions in reports?
Why is it important for law enforcement professionals to prevent personal opinions in reports?
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What should an investigator do to prepare for testifying in court?
What should an investigator do to prepare for testifying in court?
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Identify one goal of crime investigation.
Identify one goal of crime investigation.
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What mindset should a public safety officer possess as an investigator?
What mindset should a public safety officer possess as an investigator?
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How can an investigator recover stolen property according to their goals?
How can an investigator recover stolen property according to their goals?
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What should an investigator know by heart regarding crime scene preservation?
What should an investigator know by heart regarding crime scene preservation?
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What are the two main stages of a normal investigation?
What are the two main stages of a normal investigation?
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Name four basic tools that investigators use to uncover facts in a case.
Name four basic tools that investigators use to uncover facts in a case.
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What is required of an investigator in terms of mindset towards evidence and suspects?
What is required of an investigator in terms of mindset towards evidence and suspects?
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How should investigators approach interactions with victims and witnesses?
How should investigators approach interactions with victims and witnesses?
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What personal characteristics are essential for effective investigations?
What personal characteristics are essential for effective investigations?
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Define the term 'investigation' as presented in the content.
Define the term 'investigation' as presented in the content.
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Why is it important for investigators to look for patterns and motivations behind crimes?
Why is it important for investigators to look for patterns and motivations behind crimes?
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What role does intuition play in the work of an investigator?
What role does intuition play in the work of an investigator?
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What is the primary purpose of instrumentation in criminal investigations?
What is the primary purpose of instrumentation in criminal investigations?
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Describe the role of eyewitness testimonies in the identification of a criminal.
Describe the role of eyewitness testimonies in the identification of a criminal.
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Differentiate between a confession and an admission in a criminal context.
Differentiate between a confession and an admission in a criminal context.
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What is custodial investigation and when does it begin?
What is custodial investigation and when does it begin?
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List the two types of confessions and provide a brief description of each.
List the two types of confessions and provide a brief description of each.
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What requirements must be met for an extrajudicial confession to be admissible in evidence?
What requirements must be met for an extrajudicial confession to be admissible in evidence?
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Explain the significance of the reglementary periods stated in custodial investigations.
Explain the significance of the reglementary periods stated in custodial investigations.
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Who can be present when an extrajudicial confession is made, and why is their presence important?
Who can be present when an extrajudicial confession is made, and why is their presence important?
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What are the two types of surveillance mentioned, and how do they differ?
What are the two types of surveillance mentioned, and how do they differ?
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Why are informants considered crucial in investigations?
Why are informants considered crucial in investigations?
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What does 'tight' surveillance mean?
What does 'tight' surveillance mean?
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List two methods through which information can be obtained in investigations.
List two methods through which information can be obtained in investigations.
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What is one of the primary purposes of using surveillance in investigations?
What is one of the primary purposes of using surveillance in investigations?
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Describe the importance of evaluating an individual before developing them as an informant.
Describe the importance of evaluating an individual before developing them as an informant.
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What is meant by 'maximum benefits' when using informants?
What is meant by 'maximum benefits' when using informants?
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Why should at least two individuals in a law enforcement agency know the identity of a confidential informant?
Why should at least two individuals in a law enforcement agency know the identity of a confidential informant?
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Study Notes
Criminal Investigation - Definitions
- Investigation is the act or process of investigating or the condition of being investigated
- It involves a search or inquiry for facts, detailed examination to discover
- The Latin term "Investigat" means 'to inquire or to discover' from the 5th century
Modern Definitions of Criminal Investigation
- Collection and analysis of facts about persons, things, and places related to a crime, to identify the guilty party, locate them, and present admissible evidence for establishing guilt (Cael & Agas, 2000)
- A logical, objective, and legal inquiry into a possible criminal activity, aiming to answer questions like who, what, where, when, why, and how
- A legal inquiry into a crime, from a complaint to meticulously observe and trace the circumstances, identify actors, and find evidence to bring violators to justice, and free the innocent
- A lawful search to find people and things related to a crime, to reconstruct the illegal act, the accompanying mental state, and the truth of the crime as thoroughly as possible
Criminal Investigation Aims
- Identify the guilty party
- Locate the guilty party
- Provide evidence of guilt
Phases of Criminal Investigation
- Identify the criminal
- Trace, locate, and arrest the criminal
Goals of Criminal Investigation
- Determine if a crime was committed
- Legally obtain information and evidence
- Identify those involved
- Arrest perpetrators
- Recover stolen properties
- Present a strong case for the prosecution
Criminal Investigation as Science and Art
- A mixture of art and science
- Science: guided by rules to conduct successful investigations and the application of pure and applied sciences (increasingly important role in investigation)
- Art: depends on investigator's skills (interpersonal communication, creativity) and not rigid rules or fixed procedures, based on intuition and chance
Criminal Investigation as a Science
- Applies knowledge of forensic sciences in identifying, locating, collecting, processing, and evaluating physical evidence
Police Investigator Duties
- Understand the principles and procedures of crime investigation
- Establish the six cardinal points of investigation:
- What specific offense/crime has been committed?
- When the crime/offense was committed?
- Why the crime/offense was committed?
- Where the crime/offense was committed?
- Who committed the crime/offense?
- How the crime/offense was committed?
Rules to Remember
- Reports should include: who the victim is, and who the witnesses are
- Reports should focus on the facts only, avoid opinions and conclusions
Essential Components of Crime Reports
- Who the victim(s) is/are?
- Who the witness(es) is/are?
- What type of offense?
- What is the classification of the offense (felony/misdemeanor)?
- What happened?
- When did it happen?
- When was the crime first discovered?
- Where did the crime occur?
- Where is the specific address?
- Why did the crime occur?
- Why did the suspect commit the offense?
- Why was the victim involved?
- Why was the offense reported?
- How was the offense committed?
- How many items were stolen?
- How many victims, witnesses, and suspects?
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Description
Explore the key definitions and concepts of criminal investigation. This quiz delves into both historical and modern perspectives on the inquiry process related to crime, focusing on how facts are collected and analyzed to identify the guilty party. Test your understanding of the legal frameworks and methodologies employed in criminal investigations.