Podcast
Questions and Answers
During a preliminary investigation, what is the primary reason for securing a crime scene?
During a preliminary investigation, what is the primary reason for securing a crime scene?
- To immediately begin collecting evidence, regardless of potential contamination.
- To ensure the integrity of potential evidence and prevent disturbance or contamination. (correct)
- To allow only authorized personnel to access the area for documentation purposes.
- To quickly process the scene and minimize disruption to the surrounding area.
Why is it important for peace officers to maintain a proper order of investigation steps, even if the order is disrupted?
Why is it important for peace officers to maintain a proper order of investigation steps, even if the order is disrupted?
- To maximize the likelihood of obtaining a confession from the suspect quickly.
- To ensure thoroughness, accuracy, and legality of the investigation. (correct)
- To ensure that all potential charges can be upgraded to the most severe level.
- To adhere strictly to department regulations and avoid disciplinary action.
In what way might a seemingly simple contact or field interview by a law enforcement officer evolve into a more complex investigation?
In what way might a seemingly simple contact or field interview by a law enforcement officer evolve into a more complex investigation?
- If the individual being interviewed demands legal representation.
- If the interview lasts longer than fifteen minutes.
- If new information surfaces, leading to reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. (correct)
- If the officer remembers the individual from a prior unrelated incident.
Which of the following best describes the role of consensual contacts in a preliminary investigation?
Which of the following best describes the role of consensual contacts in a preliminary investigation?
Which example is LEAST likely a source of private records available to law enforcement?
Which example is LEAST likely a source of private records available to law enforcement?
What is the critical transition point where a consensual contact turns into a detention, requiring reasonable suspicion?
What is the critical transition point where a consensual contact turns into a detention, requiring reasonable suspicion?
During information gathering, what could a peace officer use as statements from people?
During information gathering, what could a peace officer use as statements from people?
During initial arrival at the crime scene, what is the best path of action?
During initial arrival at the crime scene, what is the best path of action?
Which of the following is the least likely punishment an informant might face from their former criminal associates?
Which of the following is the least likely punishment an informant might face from their former criminal associates?
An individual provides information to law enforcement to eliminate a business rival involved in illegal activities. Which primary motivation best describes this informant's actions?
An individual provides information to law enforcement to eliminate a business rival involved in illegal activities. Which primary motivation best describes this informant's actions?
A criminal informant is facing multiple charges and offers to provide information to law enforcement in exchange for a reduced sentence. Which combination of motivations is most likely driving this informant's decision?
A criminal informant is facing multiple charges and offers to provide information to law enforcement in exchange for a reduced sentence. Which combination of motivations is most likely driving this informant's decision?
A person who provides a firsthand account of an event to law enforcement is best defined as a:
A person who provides a firsthand account of an event to law enforcement is best defined as a:
Which of the following actions is MOST important for law enforcement officers to take when multiple witnesses are present at the same location?
Which of the following actions is MOST important for law enforcement officers to take when multiple witnesses are present at the same location?
An officer encounters an individual who is hesitant to provide information about a crime they witnessed, demonstrating reluctance to get involved. This individual is best classified as what type of witness?
An officer encounters an individual who is hesitant to provide information about a crime they witnessed, demonstrating reluctance to get involved. This individual is best classified as what type of witness?
What is a primary risk associated with relying solely on information provided by informants?
What is a primary risk associated with relying solely on information provided by informants?
Which investigative technique is most effective for locating potential witnesses who may not realize they possess relevant information about an incident?
Which investigative technique is most effective for locating potential witnesses who may not realize they possess relevant information about an incident?
A person provides information to law enforcement because they genuinely want to help society and correct a wrong. Which category of motivation best describes this?
A person provides information to law enforcement because they genuinely want to help society and correct a wrong. Which category of motivation best describes this?
An informant provides information to law enforcement out of fear for their safety if they don't cooperate. Which motivation is primarily driving their cooperation?
An informant provides information to law enforcement out of fear for their safety if they don't cooperate. Which motivation is primarily driving their cooperation?
During a lawful detention, which investigative action would be considered reasonable for officers to undertake in determining a person's involvement in a crime?
During a lawful detention, which investigative action would be considered reasonable for officers to undertake in determining a person's involvement in a crime?
A police officer is trying to determine if a crime has occurred. Which of the following actions would be most appropriate during an investigation?
A police officer is trying to determine if a crime has occurred. Which of the following actions would be most appropriate during an investigation?
In what way do social media platforms primarily differ from traditional media, such as newspapers or television?
In what way do social media platforms primarily differ from traditional media, such as newspapers or television?
What is the defining characteristic of user-generated content (UGC) in the context of social media?
What is the defining characteristic of user-generated content (UGC) in the context of social media?
How can social media platforms serve as an investigative tool for law enforcement?
How can social media platforms serve as an investigative tool for law enforcement?
A person provides information to the police after witnessing a crime, motivated by a sense of public duty and without expecting any compensation. What kind of informant are they considered?
A person provides information to the police after witnessing a crime, motivated by a sense of public duty and without expecting any compensation. What kind of informant are they considered?
Which of the following best describes a police confidential informant?
Which of the following best describes a police confidential informant?
What is a key distinction between a citizen-informant and a police confidential informant?
What is a key distinction between a citizen-informant and a police confidential informant?
Which of the following is the LEAST reliable type of information that could be gathered during a police investigation of a crime?
Which of the following is the LEAST reliable type of information that could be gathered during a police investigation of a crime?
Which one of the following actions taken by police would be considered UNREASONABLE when investigation criminal activity stemming from a bar fight?
Which one of the following actions taken by police would be considered UNREASONABLE when investigation criminal activity stemming from a bar fight?
Ben is present at a bar brawl but does not participate. Immediately after, Ben informs the police that Jerry was the person who did the stabbing, and tells them Jerry's direction of travel. What kind of informant is Ben?
Ben is present at a bar brawl but does not participate. Immediately after, Ben informs the police that Jerry was the person who did the stabbing, and tells them Jerry's direction of travel. What kind of informant is Ben?
Marissa, a methamphetamine user, is caught with a small amount of the drug. To have the charges dropped, Marissa agrees to help the police gather evidence against her dealers. What kind of informant has Marissa become?
Marissa, a methamphetamine user, is caught with a small amount of the drug. To have the charges dropped, Marissa agrees to help the police gather evidence against her dealers. What kind of informant has Marissa become?
Which scenario exemplifies a citizen-informant providing information to the police?
Which scenario exemplifies a citizen-informant providing information to the police?
How does social media facilitate the development of online social relationships between users?
How does social media facilitate the development of online social relationships between users?
What emerging field of study focuses on the substantial and pervasive changes to communication introduced by social media between businesses, organizations, communities, and individuals?
What emerging field of study focuses on the substantial and pervasive changes to communication introduced by social media between businesses, organizations, communities, and individuals?
Flashcards
Secure the Crime Scene
Secure the Crime Scene
Securing the crime scene involves containing everything, including people, to protect evidence integrity for proper investigation.
Identify Victims & Witnesses
Identify Victims & Witnesses
Identifying and locating victims and witnesses is crucial for gathering initial information about a potential crime.
Statements as Evidence
Statements as Evidence
Statements from victims and witnesses can be used as evidence to help determine the facts of a case.
Contacts to Investigations
Contacts to Investigations
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Public Records
Public Records
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Private Records
Private Records
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Consensual Contact
Consensual Contact
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Reasonable Suspicion
Reasonable Suspicion
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Informant
Informant
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Self-Interest (Informant)
Self-Interest (Informant)
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Self-Preservation (Informant)
Self-Preservation (Informant)
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Conscience (Informant)
Conscience (Informant)
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Witness
Witness
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Cooperative Witness
Cooperative Witness
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Uncooperative Witness
Uncooperative Witness
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Unknown Witness
Unknown Witness
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Witness Location Methods
Witness Location Methods
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Witness Separation
Witness Separation
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Post-Detention Investigation Actions
Post-Detention Investigation Actions
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Common Investigative Actions
Common Investigative Actions
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Social Media
Social Media
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Social Media Information for Investigations
Social Media Information for Investigations
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Types of Informants
Types of Informants
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Citizen-Informants
Citizen-Informants
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Police Confidential Informants
Police Confidential Informants
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Informant Following Arrest
Informant Following Arrest
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Questioning Detained Person
Questioning Detained Person
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Contacting Witnesses
Contacting Witnesses
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Checking locations and Objects
Checking locations and Objects
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Victim Identification
Victim Identification
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Informant reliability
Informant reliability
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Extended Informant Information
Extended Informant Information
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Study Notes
- Peace officers need to communicate and gather data without infringing on Fourth Amendment rights.
- Consensual contacts allow officers to gather information without violating rights as long as they are in a place they have the right to be.
Basic Investigation Results
- No action taken
- Criminal action
- Civil action
- Agency policy determines documentation
Securing the Crime Scene
- Secure the entire crime scene, including people, for investigation.
- Protect the integrity of evidence to determine what occurred.
- Do not overlook anything, even if it seems normal.
- Observe people, the location, and potential victims.
Identifying Victims and Witnesses
- Locate and interview possible victims or witnesses to determine if a crime occurred.
- Statements can be used as evidence in determining victim or witness status.
- Crimes in progress may require adjusting the order of investigation steps, but basic procedures should be followed.
- Initial contacts can be the start of an investigation.
Records Available to Law Enforcement
- Law enforcement can access public and private records; some require a search warrant.
- Basic investigations may not need documented records.
Public Records
- City records.
- County records.
- State records.
- Federal records.
- Law enforcement records.
Private Records
- Employers.
- Businesses.
- Companies.
- Corporations.
- Banks.
- Utilities.
Suspect Information
- Information from consensual contacts can determine if further investigation is warranted.
- Reasonable suspicion, based on all circumstances, turns an encounter into a detention.
- After detaining someone, officers can take reasonable investigative actions to assess their involvement in a crime.
Common Investigative Information Needed
- Questioning identity and conduct
- Contacting witnesses to verify explanations, identification, or check for warrants.
- Examining premises, objects, or contacting neighbors to ascertain if a crime occurred.
- Taking the victim to the suspect for identification.
Social Media Information
- Social media are computer-based applications that allow users to create and share content.
- User-generated content (UGC) like posts and digital content are crucial in social media.
- Users create profiles on websites or apps.
- Social media helps develop online social networks by connecting users.
- Social media depends on mobile technology for highly interactive platforms.
- These changes are the focus of the emerging field of cyber-studies.
- Social media uses a dialogic transmission system; many sources to many receivers.
- Traditional media operates under a mono-logic transmission model; one source to many receivers.
- Popular social media websites include Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat.
- Internet users spend more time on social media sites than any other type.
Social Media as an Investigative Tool
- Profiles of individuals
- Posts (activities and locations).
- Information exchanges.
- Pictures and videos.
- Web communities and networks.
Informant Reliability
- Informants are common in organized crime due to the involvement of many individuals aware of each other's guilt.
- Confidential informants provide information for leniency or payment, often after arrest.
Types of Informants
- Citizen-informants
- Police confidential informants
Citizen-Informants
- Provide information without expecting anything in return, having witnessed or gained knowledge about a crime.
- They offer info out of civic duty, not compensation.
Police Confidential Informants
- Provide information to law enforcement agencies in exchange for compensation.
- Compensation varies, ranging from cash payments to lenient treatment in criminal cases.
Informant Motivations
- Informants are regarded as traitors by criminal associates.
- Motivations include self-interest, self-preservation, and conscience.
- Officers should assess and verify informants' information for reliability.
Self-Interest
- Financial reward.
- Pre-trial release.
- Dismissal of charges.
- Reduced sentence.
- Choice of location to serve sentence.
- Elimination of rivals or competitors.
- Diversion of suspicion.
- Revenge.
Self-Preservation
- Fear of harm.
- Threat of arrest.
- Threat of incarceration.
- Desire for witness protection.
Conscience
- Desire to go straight.
- Guilty conscience.
- Genuine desire to assist law enforcement.
Witnesses
- A witness provides a firsthand account of something seen, heard, or experienced.
- Witnesses can be located through initial contacts and by following up leads.
Types of Witnesses
- Cooperative: Provide a full account.
- Uncooperative: Reluctant to cooperate.
- Unknown: Unaware they have relevant information.
- Locate witnesses by interviewing people in the area of an incident, including door-to-door inquiries.
- Get identifying and contact info from all witnesses, and separate them to prevent collaboration.
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Description
Peace officers must communicate and gather data without infringing on Fourth Amendment rights. Securing crime scenes involves protecting evidence and observing people/locations. Identifying victims and witnesses requires interviews to determine if a crime occurred.
