NCJ Number
8796
Date Published
1971
Length
298 pages
Annotation
BEGINNING WITH INVESTIGATION PRINCIPLES AND REPORT PREPARATION, THIS BOOK PROVIDES GUIDELINES FOR GATHERING EVIDENCE WHICH MAY EVENTUALLY BE USED IN COURT.
Abstract
IN ADDITION TO PREVENTING CRIME, THE POLICE ARE REQUIRED TO INVESTIGATE CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IN AN ATTEMPT TO RECREATE EVENTS AND APPREHEND SUSPECTED OFFENDERS. ASPECTS OF GATHERING INFORMATION, SUCH AS INTERVIEWING WITNESSES, LINE-UP PROCEDURES, AND THE USE OF INFORMANTS ARE COVERED. PROCEDURAL STEPS TO BE TAKEN AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME ARE DISCUSSED, THESE INCLUDE PROTECTING THE CRIME SCENE, SKETCHING, PHOTOGRAPHING THE SCENE, GATHERING EVIDENCE, SEARCHING VEHICLES, AND RULES OF SEARCH AND SEIZURE. THE APPLICATION OF SCIENTIFIC METHODS TO THE INVESTIGATION OF TOOL MARKS, FIREARMS, FINGERPRINTS, BLOOD STAINS, AND SEMEN IS EXPLAINED. POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN INVESTIGATING SPECIFIC OFFENSES SUCH AS HOMICIDE, ROBBERY, RAPE, AUTO THEFT, AND DRUG VIOLATIONS ARE OUTLINED. THE CONCLUDING CHAPTERS CONCERN THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR'S ROLE IN COURT WHEN PRESENTING THE EVIDENCE HE HAS FOUND. THIS BOOK WILL BE OF PRACTICAL VALUE TO POLICE OFFICERS REGARDLESS OF THEIR FUNCTIONAL ASSIGNMENT SINCE ITS OBSERVATIONS COVER A BROAD SPECTRUM OF POLICE WORK. (SNI ABSTRACT)