INV101 - Conduct Investigation Flashcards
What is the decision making reasoning sequence?
Acknowledge - A situation or problem exists
Identify, isolate and analyse - the problem clearly
Formulate a clear objective - ask; what are we aiming to achieve
Gather information - required to determine how the aim can be achieved
List - of all ways to achieve the aim
Compare - each alternatives individually
Plan - to execute
What are three factors that can effect decision making?
Individual bias, Verification bias and Availability error
What is Individual bias?
When one fails to recognise their unconscious perceptions of people, places or things
What is Verification bias?
Occurs when the focus is channeled towards decisions supporting a certain point of view, thereby overlooking other lines of enquiry
What is Availability error?
Basing decisions on vivid, emotionally charged material which may not necessarily reflect the scope of material available to make the correct decision, eg. over focussing on the Victims account and overlooking collection of evidence
What are the four steps in the Appreciation technique
Aim/objective, factors, courses open, plan
Explain the meaning of ‘Aims / Objectives’
An aim or objective is a short statement of intent beginning with a verb
Explain the meaning of ‘Factors’
A factor is a statement of truth about some known influence or circumstance
Give examples of ‘Factors’
Seriousness of offence, pattern of incidents/offences, time available, possible suspects, available witnesses, material located to date, policy and procedures in place, known history of the parties, records that can be tapped, the weather at the time
Explain the meaning of ‘Courses open’
Courses open are the options you can identify after having assessed the factors and the deductions made from the factors.
Explain the meaning of ‘Plan’
Select the most appropriate courses for attention and plan the action you can take;
- It it more than likely that it will be effective?
- Is it proportionate? (effort, time, service)
- Is it achievable?
- Will it pass the SELF test?
The investigation process is underpinned by four key areas of knowledge, understanding and skills in?
- Core legislation
- Characteristics of crime
- National policies and procedures
- Investigative techniques
What are the stages of criminal investigation?
- Instigation
- Initial investigation
- Investigative evaluation
- Further investigation
- Suspect management
- Evidential evaluation
- Further investigation
- Charge
- File preparation
- Court
What is ‘Material’?
Material is substance of any kind, including information and objects, sounds and images, obtained in the course of a criminal investigation that has some bearing on an offence under investigation or any person being investigated, or on the surrounding circumstances of the case
In terms of material, what is ‘information’?
Used to identify times, locations, circumstances and numbers involved in the incident
In terms of material, what is ‘intelligence’?
If it is analysed together with other material to identify people who frequent the area, have similar clothes and are suspected of involvement in similar disturbances
In terms of material, what is ‘evidence’?
If it is used in court to prove a specific point
What are the five principles of the ‘Investigative mindset’?
- Understand the source of material
- Planning and preparation covers making decisions about the collection of material
- Examine all material; interpret by drawing inferences and explaining to others, clarify any inconsistencies or ambiguities, challenge the meaning and reliability of all material gathered
- Record and collate actions taken and to be taken with material
- Evaluation should identify any further action required
What is investigative evaluation?
Undertaken to determine;
- What is known
- What is not known
- Consistencies
- Conflicts
Key differences between investigative and evidential evaluation is that during evaluation ‘all available material’ is evaluated, even if inadmissible.
What is evidential evaluation?
Considers;
- The overall strength of the case
- Whether sufficient evidence exists against the offender to proceed to charge
When carrying out and evidential evaluation, the strength of the case is evaluated only on admissible evidence.
What is self/peer evaluation?
Will address;
- Review of assumptions and decision making
- Records organisation and management
- Information communication and dissemination
- Lessons learnt
Self and peer evaluation is a critical component of the practice of professionals
Investigators usually make decisions based on ‘working rules’. What is another name for it and how is it developed?
Heuristics. Developed from their on the job learning experience of conducting investigations and from their colleagues
What is the Appreciation technique?
It is a cognitive tool commonly used by investigators to take a disciplined approach to their decision making
In order for material to be effective it must be?
Relevant, reliable and admissible
What is a hypothesis?
A suggested explanation for a group of facts either accepted as a basis for further verification or accepted as likely to be true
Victims Rights Act 2002, Section 7 - Treatment
Any person who deals with a victim must treat them with courtesy and compassion and respect their dignity and privacy
Victims Rights Act 2002, Section 8 - Access
A victim of an offence should have access to services that address their needs, welfare, health, counselling, medical or legal
Victims Rights Act 2002, Section 6 - Restorative Justice
If upon the victims wishes, wants to meet with the offender to conduct restorative justice by way of facilitated meeting, Police can arrange to do so
Victims Rights Act 2002, Section 11 - Inform of services
Police have an obligation to inform victims of services available to them
Victims Rights Act 2002, Section 12 - Inform of process
Victims must be informed of;
- Investigation process
- Charges laid or reasons for not charging
- Victims role as a witness
- Steps victim may take to guard identity
- Date, time and place of relevant events
- Any outcomes of prosecution