Principles of Investigation

Designed as an introductory text for college students majoring in criminal justice administration or for police training programs, this text covers the principles of police investigations and their legal aspects. In dealing with techniques of criminal investigation, the volume emphasizes the need for meticulous adherence to rules of law and ethical practices during the entire investigative process. The types of evidence an investigator encounters are examined as well as the importance of evidentiary rules, admissibility, quantum of evidence principles, and an investigator's relationships with both suspects and witnesses. Factors necessary for a legal arrest are outlined, as are the investigator's managerial responsibilities, the basic objectives and processes of investigation, and the major concepts of investigative procedure. Practical guides, such as an information reporting system model, a program for a closed-loop investigation system, and strategies for organizing and conducting an investigation, are provided. A section on investigative reports provides instructions for developing and organizing a good field notebook in a variety of styles, suggested questioning methods for eliciting desired information, and a summary of ways to prepare and write an investigative report. (various examples of report types and styles and lists of their advantages and disadvantages are included.) After studying the text, students should be able to identify important information sources, select interview and interrogation sites according to established criteria, understand the basic steps in a crime scene investigation and special steps for certain types of investigations, and record crime scene data with necessary photographs and videotape support. Special chapters deal with the suspect--his modus operandi and identification--and the victims--their interviews, roles in victim identification, and ways to assist them. The final chapters cover ensuring the quality of an investigation and court testimony. Study topics and questions, references, annotated bibliographies, and an index are included.