Criminal Investigation: Robbery Investigation

What is the primary objective of a criminal investigation?

What is one of the essential elements necessary to constitute a robbery?

What is a major problem encountered in robbery investigations?

Why do perpetrators of robbery usually leave few or no fingerprints at the scene?

Why are robbery victims often unreliable or ineffective witnesses?

What is a major type of robbery relating to targets?

What is the purpose of a preliminary investigation?

What is the risk factor in a robbery and a robbery investigation?

In an armed robbery, what does the behavior of the weapon indicate?

What is a characteristic of an ambush-style robbery?

What is a common target of commercial robberies?

What is a characteristic of a planned residential robbery?

What type of robber is likely to use a knife?

What is a common target of street robberies?

What is a characteristic of a selective raid-style robbery?

What is a common method of unarmed robbery?

What is a characteristic of a planned operation-style robbery?

What is a type of vehicle robbery?

Essential Elements of a Robbery

Three essential elements necessary to constitute a robbery:
- Taking of personal property from the person or presence of a possessor.
- Against the possessor's will.
- By force or fear.

Problems with Robbery Investigations

High-risk factor for both the victim and the responding police officers.
Little or no physical evidence at the robbery scene.
Robbery victims are often unreliable or ineffective witnesses due to:
- Emotional stress.
- Short time span of a robbery.

Methods and Styles of Robberies

Two basic methods of robberies:
- Armed robbery: weapon is displayed or indicated.
- Unarmed robbery: no weapon is displayed or indicated, often uses a note or threat.
Three major styles of robberies:
- Ambush: little or no planning, victim selected at random, usually low score.
- Selective Raid: involves a minimum of planning, moderate score, may be part of a string of robberies.
- Planned operation: involves extensive planning, high score, usually involves professional robbers.

Major Types of Robberies

Residence:
- Planned residential robbery: involves a group that selects a victim because of their rumored wealth.
Vehicle:
- Taxi Cab Driver: driver is given an address in a secluded area and is robbed upon arrival.
- Bus: occurs when there are few passengers, often at a lay-over point.
Commercial:
- Usually involves a weapon, most commonly a handgun.
- Most common targets are convenience stores, grocery stores, liquor stores, and gas stations.
Street:
- Usually involves at least two assailants.
- Prime targets are women, elderly, and intoxicated persons.
- Most often occurs at night in secluded areas.
Bank:
- Formerly involved professional criminals, now amateurs and militant groups are involved.
- Displays weapon or a note to teller demanding money.

Procedural Steps in a Robbery Investigation

Refer to handout for procedural steps.

Learn about the primary objectives and procedures of a criminal investigation, including the steps taken in a preliminary investigation. Focus on robbery investigation and crime scene processing.