A detective is a police officer, whose duty is to detect criminals, by in-depth investigation of cases. When attempting to solve a crime, detectives conduct a criminal investigation that seeks all the facts about a crime to help determine the truth: what happened and who is responsible. This involves making a preliminary and final investigation. A detective’s task is to gather, organize, and use information about social behavior. To effectively complete that task a detective should possess certain characteristics: intellectual, psychological, and physical. Studies were conducted on the importance and efficiency of the criminal investigation system, and on the need to integrate written policies, and rules.
Detectives have many different functions. All help them attain the ultimate purpose of detective work, which is to recognize, gather, and organize information for case disposition. Detectives provide emergency assistance, conduct raids, surveillance works, stakeouts, conduct undercover assignments, as well as testify in court.
In order to more effectively investigate a case, a detective must possess certain personal characteristics. Detectives should have intellectual qualities, but great intelligence is not needed. Effective investigators obtain and retain information, apply technical knowledge, remain open-minded and objective, and use logic when attempting to solve a case. All decisions pertaining to a case should be based on facts and not be opinion based, but the results of an investigation should not be based on only one fact. Detectives rely on skills acquired by experience, study, and observation. The job requires highly-developed skills, perhaps innate abilities to collect and evaluate case facts.
The decision making required by investigations can be very stressful. Thus, it is important to also possess certain psychological characteristics. It is important that detectives not become personally involved in the cases they investigate. Personal involvement hinders an investigation, and poses a threat to the emotional well-being of the investigator, causing him or her undue stress. A detective must therefore be emotionally well balanced, and have the ability to remain detached, and discerning. In addition, a detective must possess other psychological characteristics such as inqui...
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...; Another way criminal investigation departments affect society is by definitely proving someone guilty of a crime. Investigation shows that many others associated with the victim, or in another way associated to the crime, are by default found innocent. Often the public or media make up their own mind about whom they think is guilty, but can be found wrong. Solace is found by a victim, victim’s family and friends when someone is held accountable.
Criminal investigators show society that someone is trying to help them, and that someone is on their side when they have been victimized by a criminal. Victims also find closure when the perpetrator is identified and found guilty. If the case is not solved, ongoing suspicion, and lack of closure can ruin the lives of many people of many people.
Thus, investigators must be familiar with crimes and their elements, modus operandi information, the major goals of investigation, and the basic functions of investigating officers. All of these factors help a detective solve cases efficiently and successfully. Studies show that criminal investigations are needed but can always use improvement.
The RAND Study pointed out that investigative work from a detective's position is time-consuming where as a responding officer gets the call handled more quickly. The RAND Study details that it takes time for a detective to locate a victim/suspect, prepare a case file for prosecution, time spent in court, traveling that is required within the scope of an investigation, and attaching any analysis to the case file that has been finalized, not to include the disposition of that particular case (Hoover, 2014).
The relationship between law enforcement and prosecutors, which goes hand-in-hand, can’t be overlooked. Evidence of a crime that detectives and law enforcement discover is as equally important as a good trial on part of the prosecution. If detectives aren’t able to find good solid evidence – that case usually isn’t bothered in being pursued. Several years ago, in the late 80’s, there was a murder case in Southeastern Oklahoma which now serves as a tragic example to the need for honest, constitutional work in the criminal justice system. Disreputable investigative procedures, fraudulent sources, and bad evidence were the foundation of this case that shattered innocent lives.
Evidence analysis and ranging is the most crucial stage of investigation. The success of the case exposure lies in the gradual evidence research and collecting prior to the laboratory analysis. The CSI systematically makes his way through the crime scene collects all potential evidence, tagging, logging and packaging so it remains intact on its way to the lab. Depending on the task breakdown of the CSI unit he may or may not analyze the evidence in the lab.
When police officers investigate suspect, especially a criminal suspect, public interest was against and officers owe a duty of care to general public for the purpose of public safety. Meanwhile, private interest was against as well and officers owe a duty of care to suspect to ensure suspect’s rights and avoid charging innocent person. In order to balance these two conflict interests, a clear standard of care need to be established so police officers could follow the procedures to prevent negligent investigation.
Criminal investigations are a very serious matter that take a large amount of time to solve. The Criminal Justice System plays a huge part on cracking down criminal cases. “The Criminal Justice System is a set of
Since the inception of this niche in psychology, there has been a greater appreciation for the use of police psychological services. Now almost every police department has a separate psychology department with a number of psychologists working with its other employees. This specialized subset of psychology delivers a number of services to its employees, from assessing qualified applicants, counseling, to suspect profiling and providing expertise during hostage situations. The field has grown tremendously, especially over the last 40 years and has developed into its own sub-specialty with its own dedicated research, journals and professional organizations. During that time, there have been great strides made in developing this relationship betwe...
In criminal justice, detectives need many skills that help capture the suspect. One of the important skills is finding and presenting evidence. This is significantly important because according to the Criminal Justice
Denise Moore 's criminal report starts the investigation. A police investigation of a crime is the entryway into the criminal justice system, once Denise Moore reported the crime, Detective Riley and Detective Clay conducted a photo lineup, an investigative tool used when the suspect is unknown and not in custody, to identify the suspect (Burns, 194).
Each of these criminal justice professionals keeps the criminals off the street or discovers ways to return them to society. Criminal justice professionals must be able to work with your mind and help protect the rights of others. The roles, responsibilities, and various career opportunities within these fields are vital to serving societal needs.
a chance to play the role of the detective to try and solve the crime,
In the CSI field, CSI workers must be very accurate about details and properly collect different forms of data and evidence (Crime 1). CSI workers must be able to write forms
When there is a criminal case, are a set of guidelines a criminal investigator should follow when conducting a preliminary inquiry. These guidelines consist of arriving to a crime scene in a timely manner just in case the suspect may still be at or near the scene (Hess, K.M & Orthmann, C.H., 2013). They will need to take care of any injured person or people that may need emergency care. Check to see if there are any witness seen what had happen. Make sure the crime scene is safe and secured. Once the crime scene became secured that will be the time to start questioning the victims, witness and or the suspects. This would also be the time for some officers to conduct a neighborhood canvass (Hess, K.M & Orthmann, C.H., 2013). Measuring, taking photograph, videotape and sketching the scene just in case the weather is bad that day. Search for evidence,
Did you know that the first private investigation agency was started by a criminal? While conducting research over this particular topic I learned a lot of interesting information regarding the type of work done by private investigators, as well as the potential employment opportunities. This world is a crazy and deceptive place and it is up to us to get to the truth of everything. Becoming a private investigator will be a time consuming, potentially dangerous, yet extremely rewarding career path. (History of Private Investigations, 2013)
A Criminal Investigator is an exciting, always changing career that also helps make a difference. Criminal Investigators help make a difference in a community by assessing and solving crimes like burglaries, homicides, assaults, and other problems in communities where there is any criminal intent. Also after a crime has been committed, Investigators will follow up on leads and may testify in court (“Criminal Investigator Job Description). Some people that become criminal investigators were or also are police officers. Criminal Investigators work with many people such as, police officers, detectives, medical examiners, and photographers to solve criminal cases.
For this reason, it is important that cases be assigned for follow up investigations. Because follow up investigations can sometimes be lengthy and tedious, not every officer is a good follow up investigator. However, a good follow up investigator can often find additional information pertaining to the case/crime, connect it to other known intelligence, and find key information and evidence related to the case/crime. Large criminal investigations can go on for years. It is important for follow up investigations to continue even if it seems all investigative leads have been followed. Possible witnesses to crimes, who were afraid to come forward initially, may later feel more comfortable speaking to investigators. Technology is ever changing, and physical evidence collected may one day become valuable in solving a crime. It is important for Investigators to not only use their current senses and resources to do their job efficiently and safely, but to continually train and learn new techniques valuable to their