Basic Concepts

Question 1

Criminal Investigation

Answer 1

the logical, objective, legal inquiry of a criminal incident

Question 2

Primary goals of a criminal investigation are to do what?

Answer 2

determine who the suspect is

Question 3

Time is of the essence means what?

Answer 3

the longer a suspect remains at large, the greater the likelihood that the case will remain open and unsolved

Question 4

What happens when too much time passes from the crime?

Answer 4

-Loss of evidence
-Contamination of evidence
-Loss of memory by witnesses and victims
-Investigative resources reallocated to new crimes

Question 5

What is motive?

Answer 5

It establishes why the crime was committed

Question 6

Common Criminal Motives

Answer 6

-Personal or Financial gain
-Revenge
-Love/Domestic situation
-Sexual gratification
-Passion of the situation
-Thrill/Excitement of crime
-Mental Illness

Question 7

What is evidence?

Answer 7

Anything properly admissible in a court that will aid the function of a criminal proceeding in establishing guilt or innocence

Question 8

T/F. All evidence is created equal

Answer 8

True

Question 9

Types of Evidence

Answer 9

-Direct Evidence
-Indirect/Circumstantial Evidence
-Physical/Real Evidence
-Documentary Evidence

Question 10

Direct Evidence

Answer 10

generally testimonial and will prove a fact without support

Question 11

Example of direct evidence

Answer 11

Eyewitness to the crime

Question 12

Indirect/Circumstantial Evidence

Answer 12

does not prove a fact but establishes a strong inference

Question 13

Example of indirect/circumstantial evidence

Answer 13

Person who sees suspect buy the murder weapon

Question 14

Physical/Real Evidence

Answer 14

Any physical object associated with the investigation

Question 15

Documentary Evidence

Answer 15

Evidence that represents, portrays, or documents a particular item of evidence

Question 16

Examples of Documentary Evidence

Answer 16

-Drug Analysis Report
-Bank Statement
-Photograph
-Video Tape
-Transcripts

Question 17

Burdon of Proof

Answer 17

Investigators must prove that a specific crime has occurred and that a specific person(s) is responsible for the crime

Question 18

Who bears the burdon of proof in a criminal case?

Answer 18

Investigator and prosecutors

Question 19

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Answer 19

99-98%
-evidence presented must be so convincing that no reasonable person could have any doubts about the defendant’s guilt

Question 20

Clear and Convincing Evidence

Answer 20

85%
-the evidence is highly and substantially more likely to be true than untrue

Question 21

Preponderance

Answer 21

50%
-convinces the fact finder that there is a greater than 50% chance that the claim is true

Question 22

Probable Cause

Answer 22

a reasonable basis for believing that a crime may have been committed or when evidence of a crime is present in the place of searchinging

Question 23

Reasonable Suspicion

Answer 23

standard of proof that allows law enforcement officers to stop, question, and in certain situations, conduct searches of individuals