Chapter 1 “ Criminal Investigation- Basic Considerations

2. Chapter 1 “ Criminal Investigation- Basic Considerations • The initial response is usually by a patrol officer assigned to the area where the crime occurred. • The first officer who responds is in charge until relieved by another officer. • Although it is popularity believed that cases are won or lost in court, more cases actually are lost during the first hour of an investigation. • Initial Response • Arrive at the scene safely, as circumstance permits. • 1 minuet or less increases a chance of a arrest.

3. Chapter 1 “ Criminal Investigation- Basic Considerations • It is important to arrive at the scene because: • The suspect may still be at the scene or near by. • Injured persons may need emergency care. • Witness may still be at the scene. • A dying person may have a confession or other pertinent information to give. • Weather conditions may change or destroy evidence. • Someone may attempt to alter the crime scene. • Factors to consider when responding to a scene • Seriousness of the crime • In-Progress • Human Life threaten

4. Chapter 1 “ Criminal Investigation- Basic Considerations • Point of Arrival: • Scene may be deserted or confused. • Responding officer must get control of the scene, regardless of circumstances. • People will be excited, sad, shock officer must be able to determine the difference and respond accordingly. • Responding officer must be able to use good judgment and be flexible at crime scenes. • More decisions are made in less time at the point of arrival than at any other stage in the investigation, and this is when officers obtain the majority of leads for further action.

5. Chapter 1 “ Criminal Investigation- Basic Considerations • Three priorities a responding officer must think about before arriving at the scene. • Handle emergencies first • Secure the scene • Investigate. • Handling Emergency Situations: • May include gravely injured person or a suspect at or near the scene. • Number of officer at the scene can dictate what should occur first. • In general, saving a human life is more important that catching the bad guy. However if nothing can be done for the victim than pursuing the suspect may save additional life's. • Emergency calls will force adrenaline to flow, officer responding must clear there head and think like the suspect, escape routes, area in question, daytime/nighttime,.

6. Chapter 1 “ Criminal Investigation- Basic Considerations • Handling Emergency Situations Cont. • Is the suspect near or at the scene. • Any suspect at the scene should be detained, questioned, and the release or arrested, depending on circumstance. • When dealing with the suspect, officers must read the Miranda warning before questioning. • Remove the suspect as soon as possible, either for questioning or arrest. • Has the suspect left the scene. • Officer should obtain a description of the suspect, vehicles, direction of travel and items taken and broadcast this information so other units may look in the area. • Is a person seriously injured. • Emergency first aid to anyone on the scene is your first priority. • Advise EMS of crime scene. • Start your investigation after EMS arrives.

7. Chapter 1 “ Criminal Investigation- Basic Considerations • Handling Emergency Situations Cont. • If the injured is the suspect, the officer must accompany the suspect to the hospital • If there is a dead body on the scene • The body and the surrounding area is the center of a crime scene • Leave the body as is if you know the person is dead. • Preserve the crime scene. • Protecting the Crime Scene • Responsibility of the first officer on the scene. • “Locard’s Principal of Exchange”; holds that all objects that come in contact with each other always transfer material, however minute, to each other. • If the scene is outdoors officers must take into account the changing weather patterns as it relates to evidence. • Be cautions of bystanders • Put you “crime Scene Tape” up.

8. Chapter 1 “ Criminal Investigation- Basic Considerations • Handling Emergency Situations: • Protecting the Crime Scene Cont. • Post guards or officer around the crime scene to assure security. • Enlist help from citizen if no officers are available to secure the scene. • Watch out for additional officer at the scene that have duties assigned to them, extra officers can sometimes contaminate a crime scene. • Officers on the scene should do everything possible to secure and hold the crime scene until the preliminary investigations is complete. • Preserve you evidence, don’t move it unless necessary to preserve a life or bad weather conditions

9. Chapter 1 “ Criminal Investigation- Basic Considerations • Handling Emergency Situations Cont: • The Preliminary Investigation • Reasonability's during this stage include • Questioning Victims, Witnesses and suspects • Conducting a neighborhood canvass • Measure, photography, videotape the crime scene • Search for evidence • Identifying, colleting all evidence • Recording all statements • Be aware of “Res Gestae Statements” are spontaneous statements made at the time of a crime concerning and closely related to actions involved in the crime. These statements should be recorded in your field notes. • Conduct a neighborhood canvass. • Videotape and/or record all statements.

10. Chapter 1 “ Criminal Investigation- Basic Considerations • Handling Emergency Situations Cont. • Determine if a crime was committed. • Determining if a crime was committed requires the officer to know the elements of a crime. • Observe the condition of the crime scene and talk with complainant. • Watch out for mis-classification by victims. Common error is made here. • Check on Alibis and reconstruct the MO. • Field Test. • Complete field test kits on substances like blood, narcotics and ect. • You can use field kits to also lift fingerprints, explosive devises, vapor recovery.

11. Chapter 1 “ Criminal Investigation- Basic Considerations • Handling Emergency Situations. • Command Center • Complex cases involving many officers, a command center may be set up where information about the crime is gathered and reviewed. • A command center can be moved as needed or to any situation. • Dealing with news Media. • The media and police must respect each other roles as it relates to a crime and/or crime scene. • Media reports as a public service, within the 1st amendment. • The medial wants to report the juicy facts on the other hand the police wants to keep things secret for the investigation. • Departments use the PIO, Public Information Officer, to release the daily crime report or the on scene crime reporting.

12. Chapter 1 “ Criminal Investigation- The Follow-Up Investigation • Despite a thorough preliminary investigation, many cases require a follow-up investigation. A need for a follow-up investigations does not necessarily reflect poorly on those who conducted the preliminary investigation. • The follow-up investigation gathers information learned from the preliminary investigations, field notes, statements, and officers account’s. • Leads will be developed during this stage. The suspect MO is investigated more intensely.