Unit 4 Investigating Crimes Lesson 2 PDF

Unit 4 Investigating Crimes Lesson 2 Managing Victims, Witnesses, and Suspects Lesson Goal You will be able to manage victims, witnesses, and suspects involved in an incident. Think About This An inmate sees another inmate stabbing someone else and takes an opportunity to attack the inmate whi...

Unit 4 Investigating Crimes Lesson 2 Managing Victims, Witnesses, and Suspects Lesson Goal You will be able to manage victims, witnesses, and suspects involved in an incident. Think About This An inmate sees another inmate stabbing someone else and takes an opportunity to attack the inmate while they are preoccupied. How will you handle this? How will you decide who is the victim, witness, or suspect? You may be the first to respond when an inmate commits a crime in your facility; therefore, you should know how to manage victims, witnesses, and suspects until a supervisor or agency inves- tigator arrives. ✅ CO842.1. Understand the importance of identifying and separating victims, witnesses, and suspects during an investigation Isolate and restrain any inmates who look suspicious, are breathing hard as if they’ve been in a fight, are bleeding, have abrasions, or have torn or missing clothes. Even after being ordered to be quiet, inmates may talk among themselves and reveal information about the crime. However, do not begin questioning inmates. The investigator will conduct a formal interview later. Conduct an inmate count as soon as possible. Separate the individuals involved before trying to determine who the victims, witnesses, and suspects are. Potential victims, witnesses, or suspects may be identified through observation and questioning of individuals in the area. Separate each person to preserve evidence and information, and for clarity in dealing with and assessing the situ- ation. Separating individuals will minimize possible threats and collaboration that may confuse the investigation. ✅ CO842.2. Know how to secure victims, witnesses, and suspects during an investigation Restrain individuals, if appropriate, and place them in secure areas to provide a safe environment for the interview process. Due to liability issues, do not put victims out of sight and sound; they may need medical or psychological support. Follow the investigator’s or supervisor’s instruc- tions while dealing with victims. Do not leave the suspect alone—they could remove or purposely contaminate evidence. Chapter 8 Responding to Incidents and Emergencies / 285 ✅ CO842.3. Know how to determine the people involved in criminal activity Determining the roles of people suspected of being involved in criminal activity is done by obtain- ing statements from others, using interviewing techniques, and making observations based on physical evidence. Physical indications that an inmate may have been involved in a crime include suspicious activity, injuries, labored breathing, possession of weapons, or presence of contraband. 286 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1