The Process of a Crime Investigation Many thoughts may come to mind when an investigation is mentioned, such as TV shows like Law and Order, CSI or Criminal Minds. The reality of an investigation can differ from these shows immensely. These crime solving series make it seem that the process of an investigation is so easy, and often these never show the hiccups that investigators have to deal with along the way. In real life, there are certain responsibilities an investigator must go through to achieve the evidence needed to prosecute the offender and close the case successfully. It is important to remember that an investigation ultimately contributes to the resolution of crimes, which also leads to the crucial process and effort in gathering …show more content…
Talking with anyone who was near or at the crime scene can give investigators a better clue on how the incident took place or even why for that matter. In Morris’s case FBI investigators showed up at the hospital just days before his prolonged death. While authorities were trying to make sense of his speech from all the pain medication the nurses were giving him. Morris told investigators that he had fallen asleep in one of the rooms of his business, then he began to tell them about his encounter with his killers. Coming out of consciousness Morris said that just before the crime was committed, "They broke the glass out. I come into my shop...it look like one he beat on the window with an ax handle or something and then two and another man around there....pouring gasoline around the place...I said, What are you doing there...told me to get back in there nigger...better off...shotgun." (Nelson, 2) Investigators now had something, a victim’s word against no one else’s. Although, Morris never revealed the names of the three unidentified men, he did reveal that only two were white. Like Morris’s case we can clearly see why it is important to have investigators gather information from the victims. If it wasn’t for Morris’s words they wouldn’t have been able to get as close to ending his case as they did. We are told about another crime …show more content…
In the unknown body found on Somerton Beach’s case, investigators began to examine the cold body. After finding more out about the life of this unknown individual, they found plenty of evidence in his pockets, but no name. This evidence ranged from tickets to gum, to even cigarettes. But experts were not able to uncover a wallet or cash, and ID. They noticed that his clothes has been mysteriously de-labeled, which they found odd. For as nice as he was dressed it looked like he could have afforded to take his suit to get professionally tailored. Investigators thought this because he used orange thread to fix one of his pockets, yet, they still found nothing leading to the killer. As Dash explains that maybe they wouldn’t be able to find the killer in this case by saying, “In fact, this case (which remains, theoretically at least, an active investigation) is so opaque that we still do not know the victim’s identity, have no real idea what killed him, and cannot even be certain whether his death was murder or suicide.” (Dash, 1) In that moment scientists knew the case was going cold, there was so evidence and no physical damage to the body. Like the unknown bodies case, in “The Lazarus file,” Matthew McGough explains the murder investigation for the women known as
After they have a clear understanding of the situation, they find out how this event took place. After they find out about this, the most important part comes, and that is finding out who was responsible for the crime. Searching is an extremely important part of investigation as it gives an extremely clear picture of what has happened (Weiss & Gross, 2000). 2. What is the difference between a..
On April 28, 2004, after closing on his dream house, William McGuire was brutally murdered. His body was severed into three pieces, placed into three matching Kenneth Cole suitcases and then dumped in the Chesapeake Bay. The investigation of his murder would span three years, involve two different investigative teams and end in the conviction of his wife, Melanie McGuire, based on circumstantial evidence (Glatt, 2008).
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.
The procedures depicted of the criminal justice system on television are complex, inaccurate, and implausible portrayals of what actually occurs. These shows do not show the planning, timing, and effort that is put into the maintenance of a crime scene. Investigators show up, take some photographs, and continue to the lab for results in a matter of minutes (Forensic Science Degree). Television leaves out the uneventful procedures that are essential in a real crime scene. They also neglect to show how much time is spent on each case, which can take months or even years to finish. There are many techniques and procedures which seem to be forgotten or simplified in the shows. Crime scenes require a variety of people, including the skills of photographers, sketch artists, evidence recorders, and other team members. Intricate notes and sketches of the crime scene give all of the details requ...
Locard’s exchange principle states that whenever a person enters a location, they both add and subtract material from the crime scene that indicate their presence there (National Forensic Science Technology Center, n.d.). For this reason, it is very important to secure the area as quickly as possible. Unnecessary disruption from outside forces can destroy evidence and disturb the investigation, which in the end may cause problems for investigators. Cases can be thrown out of court due to evidence contamination – and the initial crime scene is often where this happens.
In a world filled with criminal shows on television, it is difficult to get an accurate idea of what it truly means to be a police officer or a detective. It seems easier to absorb the analysis they present and simultaneously solve the case; however, is that truly how it works? Criminal Minds is one of the most popular shows on television today. This is due to the way it portrays the FBI in their endless search for villains unfound and rampant. Law and Order portrays the entire process of find, justifying, and incriminating offenders. Another show similar to Law and order is 24. 24 goes through an entire day in one, twenty-four episode, season. It does this in great detail to show the audience how they arrived at conclusion of who was guilty.
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
The police conduct a preliminary investigation then later conduct a secondary or follow up investigation. The primary goal of the preliminary investigation is to secure the crime scene to protect the integrity of the evidence. The follow-up investigation is when they thoroughly collect, preserve and relinquish the evidence to the evidence tech in the lab with a chain of custody form.
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).
Crime Scene Investigation For my assignment, I will be looking into the case of James Bulger, aged 2 years old, who was kidnapped and murdered by John Venables and Robert Thompson on February 12th 1993. Through evidence found at the crime scene and testimonial statements, the police saw that the two boys, ages 11, abducted James from Bootle Strand Shopping Center, Liverpool. They took him on a long, aimless walk where they brutally attacked him and left him for dead. In my assignment I will show how work done by the police, forensic scientists and Investigators helped to convict Jon and Robert.
Collecting evidence from a crime scene is a crucial aspect of solving crimes. Before evidence can be seized, there must first be a court order approving the search of the crime scene and the seizure of the evidence found at the scene. Standard protocol for officers is for them to always use latex gloves, avoid plastic bags, double wrap small objects, package each object separately, and to collect as much evidence as possible. It is better to have too much evidence than to not have enough. There are countless amounts of evidence that can be found at a crime scene.
Imagine pulling into your driveway and seeing your neighbor’s house surrounded by police, flashing lights, and caution tape with bodies covered in white sheet on the lawn. It was a drive by shooting. Next, a van pulls up and a Criminal Investigator steps out and starts assessing the crime scene. She begins taking photos, marking shell casings, packaging evidence, documenting tire treads on the pavement and inspecting and collecting DNA evidence from the bodies. Criminal Investigators are highly trained college graduates that are a vital part of bringing criminals to justice.
Pre-liminary Investigations do not necessarily yield enough information to prosecute a criminal case. Despite a through preliminary investigation, many cases require a follow up investigation. The investigator must set main points on how to do a preliminary investigation, suggest a plan of action to produce a well follow up investigation, they must know the difference and similarities between two crimes and how to conduct the investigation. In addition, the investigators must consider the most important parts of the criminal investigation, and finally agree or disagree with the balance of freedom of information through media and suspect of the crime.
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,
The criminal investigation process is able to achieve justice to a great to a great extent. They are effective in achieving justice, as they are able to balance the rights of the victim, offenders and society and also provide fair and just outcomes. For these reasons, the criminal investigation process is largely able to achieve justice.