Amber Strong 5-28-2015
Introduction to Criminal Justice
1
Cold Cases
By
Amber Strong
Southeast Community College
Amber Strong 5-28-2015
Introduction to Criminal Justice
2
Cold cases are the hardest and most frustrating cases to solve due to lack of evidence, witnesses and the time that has passed. Another reason why cases go cold is because there are more cases coming in as the number of crimes goes up, which makes less time for investigators to work on each case. When cases go cold there is no closure for the family of the victim or victims, and a criminal is still on the street potentially repeating the offense that he or she got away with.
It is believed that homicide cases that are not solved within 72 hours is less likely of ever being
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When prioritizing cold cases the priority is given to the cases where the witnesses, information, and evidence can identify suspects. Priority is also given to cases where witnesses were not able to be located in the initial investigation or when the witnesses need to be re-interviewed. Cases that have preserved evidence that can be processed and analyzed through modern technology also get priority in the investigations.
Cold case squads are formed because there are too many new cases or police initiatives coming in preventing investigators or police from working on the old cases. The most important part of cold case squads is the personnel. The squad must consist of the perfect mix of investigative and supervisory skills. The staffing model of a cold case squad is determined by whether the squad works full time or part time, and if the squad will be placed in the police station or a prosecutor's office. A squad usually consists of one full time investigator, a squad of 2 or more full time investigators, investigators that work cold cases on top of their other investigative duties, former homicide detectives that are part time or on a volunteer basis, one time cold case squads that are assigned
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They also have at least one supervisor or team manager, which is usually a lieutenant from the homicide division, that acts as a liason among police management, participating law enforcement agencies, the local community, and the press. The squad also has a supervisor that is generally a sergeant and investigators. Some squads may also have administrative detectives that review cases, write case summaries, list evidence and witnesses, and perform workups on witnesses and potential suspects to gather information on recent arrests as well as addresses. The administrative detective also compiles documentation or records that are not already in the
In the case of Alois Dolejs the crime control model, was swift and took the criminal off the streets. The police had a lot of circumstantial evidence, for example, bloody cloths and two different types of blood. On the advise of his attorney, he was instructed not to disclose the location of the bodies, until after the trial.
Many police departments have researched the effectiveness of using solvability factor checklists as screening process to ensure detectives devote their time to important cases that possess a realistic chance of being solved (Dempsey & Forst, 2016). Due to effectiveness of these checklists and point scoring many police departments have adapted their crime reports to emphasize solvability factors (Dempsey & Forst, 2016). I agree with using solvability factors to determine case assignment and manage investigative caseloads, especially when it pertains to property crimes. Solvability factors cannot be used as an elimination process in all cases due to officers’ concern, for political reasons, public safety, and some cases are so important or serious they will require a follow-up investigation despite an improbable chance of solvability (Dempsey & Forst,
In chapter twelve, Joel Samaha has discussed various court proceedings before trial. Samaha begins to elaborate the importance of the prosecutor’s decision in determining whether there is a concrete case against the alleged defendant. The evidence at hand ultimately dictates the proceeding of events in court. Along with evidence, the lack of resources might add to the difficulty in charging an individual. Prosecutors are faced with an overload of cases; ultimately prosecutors are forced to prioritize their cases based on their resources and the evidence provided. The cases that are regarded are then considered for suspect detainment. Probable cause to detain suspects is undergone so that the case may proceed to trial. Typically an arraignment
Who says there are crimes known as unsolvable murder cases? The Lake Bodom murders occurred in Finland and involved four teenagers. Three of the teenagers were brutally murdered while one lived with serious injuries. The names of these young victims were Maila Irmeli Björklund and Anja Tuulikki Mäki, who were both fifteen-year-old girls at the time, while the third victim was an eighteen-year-old boy by the name of Seppo Antero Boisman. The lone survivor amongst the teenagers, Nils Gustafsson, was also eighteen along with his friend. These teenagers were camping along Lake Bodom when they were viciously attacked in their tent late into the night with a knife and a blunt weapon by an unknown assailant. Although
There is a dedicated team of officers or detectives specializing in crimes may provide some advantages. This approach ensures that workers have enough time to dedicate to solve problems and build partnerships proactive efforts. Also, it is easier for the agency to develop knowledge and skills necessary to maximize efforts. Finally, specialized units could increase the visibility of community policing activities both within the department and the community. However, on the downside specialized unit may encourage the idea that the majority of staff are not responsible for partnership development cooperation, engage in problem-solving activities, or is attuned to the importance of community relations.
all work together to help and treat juveniles with serious mental issues. The team is comprised of
For instance groups such as the task forces, robbery suppression teams, narcotics units and SWAT (special weapons and tactics). Individually these groups have skill sets that are effective in fighting specific crimes. However collectively the combined skills of these groups can be fully effective in fighting crime and bring about reduction at the same time. One of compstat strengths is that it encourages teamwork between different groups within a precinct and different precincts within a department. This is one advantage of compstat it allows the flow of information.
These murder cases stayed unsolved for decades, and their resolution may give some sense of closure to the long-suffering families of the victims. But these triumphs are largely symbolic. By congratulating ourselves too much for them, we risk neglecting the challenges of the present.
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.
Through this research I have found that forensics and forensics anthropology work hand in hand. They seem to be closely related in regards (regards is an emotion, you mean regard) to solving criminal cases. A huge interest for me, while conducting this research is the impact the analysis has on cold cases. Cold cases are very important and require an extensive analysis of one’s life whose life? Mine?. Often victims in a cold case do not have strong family bonds, or persons that they are close to. It is imperative within life to have friends and persons, who will say something if you are not seen in a couple of days or weeks. Knowing where a person may be or what a person is involved is important in the case of a missing person. It is a vital part of forensics in relation to forensic anthropology. Within forensics anthropology you can find out more detailed information on the decomposition process. Steadman (2014) The information (what information?) can be used to identify a victim and maybe lead to clues of the perpetrator. New paragraph The study of a victim may also l...
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.
Kania & Davis states, “One rarely even decides anything without significant input from coworkers, support staff, and subordinates, especially the planners and budgetary analysts on a work team” (Kania & Davis, 2012, p. 8). In any work capacity, team work will always be mentally and physically beneficial to the officer, squad and department. Police departments in the United States are para military command structures, by which the efforts of an officer affects each and every member of the department. Team work often builds stronger relationship between supervisors and officers. Team building not only accomplishes tasks and goals more efficiently, but it also builds rapport, comradely, and provides superior service to the community.
Language in all parts of the world change over time, due to new eras and generations. The word “squad” has been changed and influenced by pop culture. According to Merriam-Webster, squad is “a part of a police force that deals with specific type of crime” or “a small organized group of military personnel; especially: a tactical unit that can be easily directed in the field.” The origin of the word “squad” is from the 1640’s and is Middle French, from Old Spanish and Old Italian. Squad has changed through time from a formal meaning of a group to an informal meaning.
This is where the crime scene unit (CSU) comes in to play as well as the detectives. Once the detectives arrive on the scene they will be looking for a suspicious individual or individuals and speak to witnesses and take their testimonials or story, they basically tell the investigator what they observed. On a crime scene investigation packet it states "when seeking for witnesses and taking their testimonials it is best to separate them so no individuals have identical stories." Once this has been done and the investigator takes the testimonials they must determine if a crime took place. For example if a person was stabbed in the abdomen and first responders arrived and trying to help the victim and he dies then the crime that took place was a aggravated battery but turned into a homicide. If a person was sexually molested and beaten while being molested then the crime that occurred is a sexual battery and rape. Once this is completed then the investigator will determine the nature of the crime. What this means is that if it is a violent crime, a website
Assemble a set of guidelines for conducting preliminary investigations in a criminal case. When there is a criminal case, there are a set of guidelines a criminal investigator should follow when conducting a preliminary inquiry. These guidelines consist of arriving at 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 witnesses who have seen what happened.