Questions and Answers
What is the criminological sense of criminality?
A person is considered a criminal only upon undergoing the judicial process.
True
What is the etymology of the word 'criminal'?
Derived from Old French 'criminel', meaning despicable or wicked, and from Late Latin 'criminalis'.
What does 'investigation' literally mean?
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What are the three-fold aims of criminal investigation?
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What is the primary job of a criminal investigator?
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All crime incidents must be recorded in the official police blotter.
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What is meant by the term 'tools' in criminal investigation?
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Study Notes
Definitions of Criminal
- Criminological Sense: A person is considered a criminal upon committing a crime, irrespective of police involvement.
- Criminal Justice Sense: An individual who has navigated through all elements of the Criminal Justice System.
- Legal Sense: A person is deemed a criminal only after undergoing judicial processes and being found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Etymology of Criminal
- Derived from Old French "criminel," meaning despicable or wicked.
- Originates from Late Latin "criminalis," related to crime from the Latin word "crimen."
- Refers to individuals guilty of conduct causing social harm, punishable by law.
Investigation
- General Definition: The act of careful inquiry or research.
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Latin Origins:
- “Investigare” means to trace or track.
- “Vestigium” means footprint.
- “Investigationem” implies searching for.
- Old French: “Investigacion” refers to a searching into.
Definition of Criminal Investigation
- Applied Science: Involves studying facts for use in criminal trials.
- Traditional Definition: Focuses on identifying and locating offenders, providing evidence of guilt.
- Contemporary Definition: Systematic process of identifying, collecting, preserving, and evaluating information to bring offenders to justice.
- Legal Definition: A branch of jurisprudence utilizing philosophical analysis, arts, and sciences in legal proceedings.
Aims of Criminal Investigation
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Three-Fold Aims:
- Identify the guilty party.
- Locate the guilty party.
- Provide evidence of guilt.
Components of Criminal Investigation
- Training: Academic and technical preparation for criminal investigators.
- Tools: Devices and equipment utilized in investigations.
- Technique: Unique methods applied to various crimes and incidents.
Goals of Criminal Investigation
- Determine if a crime has been committed.
- Legally obtain information or evidence.
- Identify relevant individuals: suspects, victims, and witnesses.
- Arrest suspects.
- Recover stolen properties.
- Present a strong case to the prosecutor.
Importance of Criminal Investigation
- Provides facts about crimes and potential solutions.
- Aids the Criminal Justice System in identifying offenders and promoting social justice.
- Enforces laws and protects lives and property.
- Crime incidents must be recorded in the official police blotter, a logbook documenting daily crime reports and significant events.
Role of the Criminal Investigator
- A skilled professional responsible for conducting criminal investigations post-crime.
- Considered the "superstar" in the investigative process.
- Primary responsibilities include confirming whether an offense was committed and determining its specifics—what, how, by whom, where, when, and why.
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Description
Explore the foundational concepts of criminal investigation and intelligence. This quiz covers the nuances of what defines a criminal from various perspectives, including criminological, criminal justice, and legal viewpoints. Test your understanding of the complexities involved in criminal behavior and the justice system.
