Criminal Investigations pt. 3

Evidence Collection and Interview Techniques in Law Enforcement

• Proper packaging of evidence is essential, including separate packaging for items from different places and allowing wet evidence to dry before packaging.
• Safety precautions for handling evidence include using disposable latex gloves, proper disposal, handwashing, and avoiding contact with body fluids.
• Specific precautions for handling HIV body fluids and firearms are outlined, emphasizing careful handling and documentation of the weapon's condition.
• Procedures for collecting paint evidence from vehicles are detailed, including protecting the working surfaces of tools and obtaining samples from damaged areas.
• Information-gathering procedures for victims, complainants, and witnesses are explained, highlighting the importance of obtaining detailed descriptions and written statements.
• The impact of property crimes on victims is acknowledged, stressing the need to treat property crime victims with dignity and respect.
• The legal requirements for conducting interviews are outlined, including the necessity of conducting interviews individually and outside the presence of others.
• The duty of officers to warn suspects in custody of their rights (Miranda rights) before questioning is emphasized, citing legal references.
• Techniques for conducting interviews are described, including the importance of separating persons to interview, controlling the interview environment, and establishing rapport with the suspect.
• Constitutional rights, do's and don'ts, and the importance of allowing the suspect to tell their complete narrative during the interview are highlighted.
• Recommendations for interviewers to control their emotions, be patient, and avoid leading or suggestive questions are provided to ensure a thorough and effective interview process.
• Allowing the suspect to tell their complete narrative helps prevent confusion, allows the interviewer to locate discrepancies, and confronts the suspect about those discrepancies.

Courtroom Testimony and Booking Procedures

• Procedures for a prisoner with bodily injury include calling for medical assistance, photographing the offender and officer, and writing a proper report if the injury occurs in a jail facility.
• The booking process involves completing accurate records, preventing contraband introduction, and notifying other agencies about outstanding warrants against a prisoner.
• Officers should practice fingerprinting and confer with local administration for appropriate booking policy.
• Professional courtroom demeanor and appearance can enhance the reputation of officers and the department, leading to a positive outcome and improved public relations.
• Preparation for testimony involves anticipating logical questions, studying reports, interviews, evidence, and notes, and deciding whether to use notes in court based on their trustworthiness.
• Initial trial phases involve direct examination, where the prosecutor elicits facts from the officer, as well as cross-examination and redirect examination.
• Effective courtroom testimony requires officers to demonstrate honesty, brevity, clarity, objectivity, and emotional control, and to explain police procedures to the jury to gain credibility.

Effective Interviewing Techniques and Practical Scenario for Law Enforcement Training

• Techniques for effective interviewing include establishing rapport, getting to know the subject, empathizing, being sincere, avoiding judgment, and making it a conversation.
• It is important to concentrate on motives, convince the subject it is in their best interest to confess, and maintain control of the conversation.
• Street interviews require a shorter rapport establishing time, and it is important to point out inconsistencies in the subject's story and use multiple suspects against one another.
• When preparing written statements, information obtained from the person involved should be recorded, notes reviewed and discrepancies corrected, statements written in the person's own words, and signed as evidence.
• A practical scenario involves students practicing search methods in a domestic dispute role-play, including investigating, writing a report, filing charges, and preparing a case for presentation.
• The role-play scenario involves specific instructions for the suspect, complainant, and witnesses, with the offense being a domestic dispute.
• Reasons for search during the booking process include safety, suicide risk prevention, security of the facility, and safeguarding prisoners' personal property.
• Procedures for search during booking involve emptying the prisoner's pockets, removing coat, hat, tie, shoes, and belt, and observing removed property for contraband.
• The practical scenario aims to familiarize students with investigative techniques, the booking process, and the responsibility of officers during the booking process.

Test your knowledge of evidence collection, interview techniques, courtroom testimony, and booking procedures in law enforcement with this quiz. Learn about proper evidence packaging, safety precautions, interview procedures, courtroom demeanor, effective interviewing techniques, and practical scenarios for law enforcement training. This quiz covers essential skills and procedures for law enforcement professionals.