Crim Investig FINAL Flashcards
direct evidence
DNA, fingerprints
Circumstantial evidence
timing, vehicle seen in the area
Real evidence
Physical objects (weapon, phone)
Demonstrative evidence
charts, maps
Testimonial evidence
evidence given orally by a witness
Relevant evidence
Credible, reliable evidence showing a connection to the case
Key players in criminal trial
prosecution, defense, investigator/detective
leading question
a question phrased so the answer is implied within the question itself
Excusable homicide
legal shooting, accidental without negligence
Corpus Delicti
facts that establish a crime has been committed and who is responsible for it
Internal examination
autopsy performed internally to determine cause of death
Post Mortem Lividity
blood pooling after death, indicating body movement
Modus Operandi
a criminal’s pattern of behavior
Carbon monoxide
makes blood appear cherry red in body
Gunshot residue (GSR)
evidence found when a gun is fired
Most common weapon in murder
gun
motive
reason for committing the crime, key factor in solving most crimes, including murder
challenges in solving murder
victims can’t provide evidence (can’t testify)
Why murder cases are solvable
often the suspect is known to the victim, body found, more evidence and resources
Purpose of autopsy
determine cause of death
homicide challenges
lack of eyewitness testimony or direct evidence
difficulties in fire investigation
evidence is often destroyed by fire or firefighters’ actions
3 essentials for fire
fuel, oxygen, heat
types of fire investigators
trained firefighters, fire marshal
common causes of fires
heaters
most common accelerant
gas
purpose of fire investigators
determine cause and origin of the fire
common locations for robberies
random streets
challenges in solving robberies
no connection to the robber or victim
home invasion
breaking into a home while people are inside
Stats on robberies
87% committed by males, 50% are not reported (drug dealers)
types of robbery
robbery: taking property by physical force
armed robbery: robbery with weapon
strong arm robbery: robbery without weapon, involves physical beating
most common weapon in robbery
gun
robbery planning
most robberies are not planned
Modus Operandi in robbery
criminal’s habitual way of committing robberies
Challenges in SVU cases
lack of evidence and “he said, she said” situations
SVU investigator mindset
compassionate, skilled, with female investigators preferred
consent as a defense
consent is often used as the primary defense in sexual assault cases
corroboration
supporting victim’s statement with other witnesses or evidence
common SVU cases
rapes often committed by someone known to victim (7 out of 10 cases)
common entry points for burglars
windows and doors
peak months for burglary
summer
most common locations for burglaries
residences
important evidence in burglaries
fingerprints, physical evidence left behind by burglar
enterprise charges
to charge for enterprise crimes, there needs to be a hierarchical structure
RICO
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, used against street criminal, involves seizing property and sending a strong message
terrorism investigations
handled by FBI
entrapment
forcing someone to commit a crime or say something incriminating
spoofing
fraudulent calls or messages (spam)
phishing
fraudulent emails aiming to steal personal information (avoid clicking on suspicious links)
fasting growing crime
identity theft
