Criminal Investigation for New Detectives

□ Criminal Investigation 101

shortfalls of a criminal investigation - crimes impact on society - definition of crime - the investigation - “required skills” - the investigator - investigation structure – preliminary Inquiry

□ Dealing with the crime scene

initiating a crime scene inquiry - crime scene issues - crime scene - requirements - types of useful evidence - crime scene search - evidence maintenance - evidence submission - sketching the crime scene - photographing the scene - recording with video

□ Evidence

individual v. class characteristics – soil - track evidence – paint – glass – fibers – string, cord and rope – fingerprints – dental evidence – hair – blood – human excretions and secretions – lipstick – lip prints – firearms – tool marks – questioned documents

□ Conducting Interviews

Introduction to Interviewing – Reliability issues – hypnosis issues – witness types – The Interviewer – Interview Location – interviewing guidelines – Interview Documentation

□ Reporting and Notes

Preparing Field Notes – Preparing Offense Reports – Drafting Reports – Supplemental Investigations & Reports

□ The Supplemental Investigation

Initiating a Supplemental Investigation – Analysis of Crime – Sources of Information – NCIC – Canvassing the Neighborhood – Informants – Surveillance Considerations – Polygraphs – Police Relationships with Victims and Witnesses – Lineups

□ Conducting Interrogations

Interrogation Goals – Legal Requirements – Defining Custody – Defining Interrogation – Why Confessions Occur – The Interrogator – Planning – Documentation – Legal Considerations – Admissibility Issues

□ Injury and Death Investigations

Overview – The Law – Motives for Murder – Homicide Classifications – Scene Protection – Utilizing Checklists – Medio-Legal Examination – The Autopsy – Decedent Identification – Unidentified Remains – Time of Death Estimations – Evidence From Wounds: Firearm, Blunt Force - Sharp Force – Suicide Investigation – Autoerotic Asphyxia – Psychological Autopsy

□ Sexual Violence

Offense classifications – Typology of Sexual Battery – Defining Sexual Battery – Investigations – Why Victims do Not Report – Evidence Issues – Learning from the mistakes of Others

□ Cases Involving Children

Assault on a Child – Sudden Infant Death

□ Robbery Investigation

Overview – Elements – Robbery Classifications – Clearance Rates – Investigative Strategy – Processing the Crime Scene – Educating the Consumer

□ Property Crimes Investigations: Burglary & Larceny

Overview – Offender Profile – Legal Considerations – Investigative Considerations – Recovery of Stolen Property – Education and Prevention Issues – Credit Card Fraud – Receiving Stolen Property – Retail Theft – Fraud – Telemarketing & Postal Fraud - Confidence Games – Embezzlement and Employee Theft – Baggage Theft - White Collar Crime – Looting of Archaeological Sites – Why Burglars & Thieves Commit Crimes

□ Conveyance Theft

Introduction – Auto Theft – Vehicle Identification – Fraudulent Schemes of Theft – Heavy Equipment & Farm Implement – Vehicle Fire Investigations – Odometer Fraud – Marine Theft – Aircraft and Avionics

□ Crimes Involving Computers

Introduction – Computer Crime Investigation

□ Miscellaneous Crime

Agricultural Crime – Timber Theft – Grain Thefts & Fraud – Agrichemical Theft – Livestock & Tack Theft – Livestock Identification – Physical Evidence – Wildlife Crimes – Environmental Crimes

□ Fire Investigation

Causes of Fire Deaths – Injury Categories – Flame Burns – Contact Burns – Radiant Heat Burns – Scalding Burns – Determining Extent of Burn – Degree of Burns – Flash Burns – Fire Deaths – Fire Death Investigation – Establishing Identity – Pugilistic Attitude – Physical Findings – Findings at Autopsy – Child Victims – Motives – Fire and Arson Deaths – Self-Immolation – Spontaneous Combustion – Chemical Burns – Microwave Burns – Electrocution

□ Police Media Relationship

The Public Information Officer – Press Release Procedures – News Conferences – Releasing Information – Dealing with Difficult Situations – Develop a Spirit of Cooperation – “Off the Record” conversations – Freedom of Information Act – Emergency Scene Access by Media Personnel – Right of Access: Private Property Issues

□ Rules of Evidence

Introduction – Evidentiary issues – Judicial notice – Types of Trial Evidence – The Hearsay Rule – Evidentiary Privileges – Witnesses

□ Initiating the Formal Prosecution

What Constitutes an Arrest – Arrest v. Detention – Arrest v. Formal Charges – Arrest Procedures – Arrest Warrant – Probable Cause – Bond Considerations – Filing Factor Considerations – Defense Pretrial Motions – Before the Jury is Picked – Additional Considerations – Cross Examination – Becoming the Ultimate Professional