Information Gathering

Question 1

Explain why police gather information

Answer 1

-To Locate people
Offenders
Suspects
Witnesses
Missing People
Complainants/Victims

• Confirm or corroborate evidence
• Prosecute offenders
• Keep up with crime trends/patterns
• Use the problem solving technique
• Enhance patrol planning
• Store it as a basis for intel driven policing

Question 2

Identify methods police use to gather information when attending crime scenes

Answer 2

-Scene examination
Observing and recording physical evidence
Searching for, locating & seizing exhibits
Area enquiries

-Interviewing
The victim for details of the offence
Witnesses who have relevant information
Suspects/offenders
The informant

Question 3

Give examples of information available to the police through computer systems

Answer 3

-NIA (National Intelligence Database)
Used to gain both operational and intelligence based information on:
-People
-Vehicle
-Property
-Locations
-Organisations
-Occurrences
-Firearms
-Vehicles of interest
-Police document locator system
-Family violence database

-TESA gives police access to information about Telecom subscribers (non-cellular), including address, name & phone number

-AFIS gives police informations on:
ID of people through fingerprints
Intelligence and tactics sections in various Police stations have more specialised apps and may also have local data storage systems.

Question 4

Give examples of informal information gathering

Answer 4

• People ringing 111 anonymously
• Informants passing information on to Police
• People you speak with while of duty, e.g. at social events
• Talking to service industry workers such as Taxi drivers, bar staff, etc.

Question 5

Explain the importance of documents as a source of information

Answer 5

Documents can be frequently used to corroborate a charge.
Documents can include:
-Cheque books
-Credit cards
-Receipts
-Driver licences
-Diaries
-Bank statements

Question 6

Give examples of sources of information Police can use when locating people

Answer 6

• Council rates records
• Police database
• Debt recovery agencies, e.g. Baycorp
• Telecom connection records
• Wise’s Street Directory
• Local electricity records
• Phone books
• Vehicle register
• Electoral role
• Births, deaths & marriages register
• Business & sports club memberships
• Dept. of work & income, benefits division
• IRD
• Other police officers

Question 7

Explain the importance of confidentiality in the information-gathering process

Answer 7

• Because of the possibility of victimisation or retribution, especially if the offence involves gang members
• To maintain personal credibility
• To maintain trust in the police from the public