Criminal Investigation Definitions

Collects evidence, identifies perpetrators, and gathers enough evidence for arrests and convictions.

Includes Preliminary and Follow-up Investigations; careful consideration of facts, patterns, and motives throughout.

Methods like information sources, interrogations, observations, and background checks, crucial for uncovering facts.

Skepticism, curiosity about unusual behaviors, strong senses, unbiased views, empathy with victims/witnesses, reasoned judgment.

Inquiring, gathering information to find truth and facts about a situation.

The initial stage of an investigation, focusing on gathering initial information and establishing a baseline.

A more detailed and potentially longer stage involving deeper investigation of the collected information.

Gathering facts from witnesses, documents, and other relevant sources.

Questioning suspects and witnesses for gathering information.

Careful monitoring of the surroundings, or scene, to gather clues and information.

Gathering information about the history and connections of individuals involved.

A formal document detailing the facts of a crime, including who, what, when, where, why, and how

An individual(s) believed to be involved in a crime, identified by a victim or other source.

The attitude and approach of a crime investigator, characterized by creativity, problem-solving, and a willingness to see beyond the immediate situation

General guidelines for conducting a criminal investigation, emphasizing mastery of crime elements, honesty, respect for rights, and justice.

The key elements that must be included in a crime investigation report, encompassing who, what, when, where, why, and how

Data gathered by investigators, victims, and other sources, including private records and modus operandi files.

Informant with personal knowledge of the crime, able to testify based on their own observations.

The objectives of investigation, including determining if a crime was committed, arresting suspects, recovering property, and presenting a strong case to the prosecutor

Identification of the victim, witnesses, and suspect(s) involved in the crime

Informant whose testimony is based on information from someone else, thus inadmissible in court (hearsay).

A person providing information about a crime, but not necessarily a witness.

Details about the type of offense, its classification (felony or misdemeanor), and the specific events that occurred

The time and date of the investigator's arrival, the crime's occurrence, and when the crime was first discovered

An informant's statements are typically hearsay and not admissible as evidence in court.

The location where the crime occurred and the specific address; where suspects are located.

Evidence based on what someone else said, rather than the witness's personal knowledge.

Possible reasons for the crime, the victim's role, and why the crime was reported.

A criminal's typical method of operation.

A description of how the crime was committed, the number of items stolen, and the number of parties involved - Victims, witnesses, suspects

Maintaining objectivity and avoiding personal opinions in formal crime reports

Data gathered by investigators from people (including victims), records (public, private, modus operandi), behaviors, and other sources.

A person who provides information about criminals or criminal activities to the police.

A person giving secret information about crimes, wanting to remain anonymous.

The method or style used by criminals to commit a crime.

The process of gathering data from various sources, including people, records, and actions.

Public and private documents, financial records and other pertinent records used for solving crimes.

Reliable individuals, such as informants and employees, offering key info.

Ways to gather data for investigations, including paid sources, physical surveillance, stakeouts, informants, and technical surveillance.

Techniques for observing suspects, including moving & fixed (stationary) surveillance, which can be discreet or tight.

People who provide information to investigators about criminal activities.

Informants expand investigation reach, enhance crime prevention, and help catch criminals.

The process of finding and training informants, including a constant need, evaluation, and basic considerations.

How confidential informants are used for maximum benefit of the entire organization and not solely for individual investigators.

Differences in approaches to information gathering and use, where France relies heavily on paid information while England does not.

Reasons for using surveillance, including getting evidence, search warrants, suspect observation, and apprehending criminals in the act.

Using instruments and scientific methods to analyze physical evidence to help solve crimes.

Reasoning from the general to the specific to investigate a crime.

Stage in investigation focused on pinpointing the suspect.

Identifying the suspect(s) based on observations of the crime.

Identifying the suspect(s) using collected evidence.

Identifies suspects by their typical method of committing crimes.

Statement of facts in the crime, but not an acknowledgement of guilt.

Statement of guilt acknowledged by the suspect.

Confession made outside the court, typically during investigation.

Confession made in court.

Investigation focusing on a specific suspect in custody and involving interrogation.

Written, signed in the suspect's presence, counsel or valid waiver; and others in required presence; otherwise inadmissible