Chapter 1: Overview Flashcards
Henry Fielding
created first paid detective unit
Eugene Francois Vidocq
first private detective, the father of modern criminology
Allan Pinkerton
created “secret service”
Alphonse Bertillon
father of personal identification, created Bertillon system
Bertillon System
system to identify offenders by their unique characteristics (tattoos, measurements, scars)
Edmond Locard
created “exchange principal”
Exchange Principal
criminal always removes something or leaves something behind.
August Vollmer
father of modern policing, professionalized police
Investigation
patient, step-by-step inquiry or observation; a careful examination; a recording of evidence; or a legal inquiry
Criminal Investigation
process of discovering, collecting, preparing, identifying, and presenting evidence to determine what happened, whether a crime was committed, and who is responsible.
Deductive reasoning
a logical process in which a conclusion follows from specific facts
Criminalistics
specialists trained in recording, identifying, and interpreting the minutiae of physical evidence.
Criminalist
searches for, collects, and preserves physical evidence in investigation of crime
Forensic science
the application of myriad scientific processes to the law
Crime
an act or omission that is forbidden by law and considered an offense against the state.
Felony
a serious crime, punishable by death/imprisonment of >1 year in a penitentiary
Misdemeanor
less serious, punishable by a fine or imprisonment <1 year not in a penitentiary, Gross & Petty
Criminal Statute
an act relating to prohibited conduct with a penalty or punishment
Ordinance
an act of the legislative body of a county
Elements of the crime
specific conditions that must occur for an act to be called a specific type of crime, Must prove each element
Primary Goals of Investigation
Determine whether a crime has been committed
Legally obtain information and evidence to identify the responsible person
Arrest the suspect
Recover stolen property
Present best possible case to prosecutor
What is the first determination of a criminal investgiation:
whether or not a crime was committed.
MO (modus operandi)
the preferred method a criminal uses when committing crimes.
Leads
avenues bearing clues or potential sources of information relevant to solving the crime
A Successful Investigation is one in which:
A logical sequence is followed
All physical evidence is legally obtained & analyzed
All witnesses are effectively interviewed
All suspects are legally and effectively interrogated
All leads are thoroughly developed
All details of the case are accurately and completely recorded & reported.
Who contributes to the success of criminal investigations ?
All levels of police admin & operations
_____ & ______ comprised about 14% of all LEOs in 2018
Detectives & criminal investigators
Who is responsible for criminal investigation?
all police personnel
How effective are initial investigations by patrol officers?
Initial investigations by patrol officers can be as effective as those conducted by specialists
The Basic Functions Performed by Investigators:
Provide emergency assistance
Secure the crime scene
Photograph, videotape, and sketch
Take notes and write reports
Draft legal documents, warrants & subpoenas
Search for, obtain, and process physical and digital evidence
Obtain information from witnesses and suspects
Conduct photographic an in-person lineups
Identify suspects
Conduct raids, surveillances, stakeouts, and undercover assignments
Testify in court
A good investigator has:
specific intellectual, psychological, & physical characteristics
What intellectual characteristics does a good investigator have?
Obtain & retain info, apply technical knowledge, open-minded, objective, & logical.
Well organized
Culturally adroit
Culturally adroit
skilled in interacting across gender, ethnic, generational, social, political group lines.
Fact
an action, event, circumstance, or thing done
Inference
process of reasoning by which a fact may be deduced
Opinion
Personal Belief
Inductive Reasoning
going from generalization and establishing by gathering facts
What psychological characteristics does a good investigator have?:
Emotionally well-balanced, detached, inquisitive, suspecting, discerning, self-disciplined, conscientious, and persevering
Intuition
Intuition
a “gut feeling” developed through experience.
What physical characteristics does a good investigator have?:
Physically fit
good hearing & vision
