The Book

Question 0

The results of a criminal investigation, if successful, will answer the following questions? (7 answers)

Answer 0

1. Did a criminal violation described by code or statute occur?
2. Where, what time and date did the crime occur?
3. Who are the individuals involved in the planning, execution, and after effects of the violation?
4. Is a witness to the criminal activity present?
5. Is there evidence of the criminal offense?
6. In what manner or by what method was the crime perpetrated?
7. Is there an indication of guilt or innocence to aid judicial officials in determining a just solution to the case?

Question 1

A logical, objective, legal inquiry involving a possible criminal activity.

Answer 1

Criminal Investigation

Question 2

What elements form the foundation of the critical thinking process?

Answer 2

1. Differentiating between fact and opinion
2. Determining cause and effect relationships
3. Determining the accuracy and completeness of information presented.
4. Recognizing logical fallacies and faulty reasoning
5. Developing inferential skills through deductive or inductive reasoning.

Question 3

What are the two methods of reasoning?

Answer 3

Deductive and inductive

Question 4

This form of reasoning forms a general conclusion prior to having a complete explanation based on facts.

Answer 4

Deductive method

Question 5

Immediate apprehension or cognition-quick and ready insight without the conscious use of reasoning.

Answer 5

Intuition

Question 6

Defined as the practical normative study of the righteousness or wrongness of human conduct.

Answer 6

Investigative ethics

Question 7

Criminal investigators can be classified into 3 basic types…

Answer 7

Police, public, private investigators

Question 8

A law enforcement officer working toward the resolution of a criminal matter through investigative action

Answer 8

Police Investigator

Question 9

During the “investigative method” a complete statement of the problem is…..

Answer 9

Identify, locate, arrest, obtain evidence, and recover stolen property in a thorough legal manner designed to ensure the greatest probability of justice.

Question 10

The five stages of the scientific (investigative) method

Answer 10

1. State the problem
2. Form the hypothesis
3. Observe and experiment
4. Interpret the data
5. Draw conclusions

Question 11

To construct an explanation for an occurrence

Answer 11

Hypothesis

Question 12

Defined as that which causes a person to act in a certain manner.

Answer 12

Motive

Question 13

In forming a hypothesis this factor determines if a given suspect could have been physically present during the commission of the criminal activity.

Answer 13

Opportunity factor

Question 14

The least useful factor in forming a hypothesis ……..

Answer 14

Means to perpetrate the crime

Question 15

The third phase of the scientific method requires………and ……….

Answer 15

Observation and experimentation

Question 16

The final step of the scientific (investigative) method …….

Answer 16

Draw a conclusion

Question 17

A conclusion is defined as

Answer 17

A judgment, or a summing up of the hypothesis relating to the original problem.

Question 18

The investigator must have the capability to analyze acquired evidence to determine whether it will e legally admissible in a criminal trial…..this is necessary for three reasons

Answer 18

1. To evaluate the importance of evidence obtained by others
2. To obtain evidence properly during the continuing investigation
3. To assist the prosecuting attorney

Question 19

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

Answer 19

Evidence

Question 20

Evidence serves two very important and different functions

Answer 20

Inculpatory evidence and exculpatory evidence

Question 21

Inculpatory evidence

Answer 21

Is incriminating, for it tends to establish guilt

Question 22

Exculpatory evidence

Answer 22

Exonerates, or clears a person of blame or legal guilt

Question 23

This type of evidence is important in a criminal trial and will normally prove a fact without support.

Answer 23

Direct evidence

Question 24

This evidence does not directly prove a fact at issue but may establish a strong inference as to the truth of that fact. It is generally added to other evidence and may or may not be used at trial

Answer 24

Circumstantial (indirect) evidence

Question 25

Evidence that can be any kind of object associated with the investigation, but it must be a physical, tangible item, unlike other forms of evidence that may result from sensory observations or inferences

Answer 25

Physical (real) evidence

Question 26

Similar to real evidence ...it must be physical in nature it need not be the actual item but an acceptable representation of the item.

Answer 26

Documentary evidence

Question 27

How many types of evidence are there?

Answer 27

Four

Question 28

What are the four types of evidence?

Answer 28

1. Direct evidence 2. Circumstantial evidence 3. Physical evidence 4. Documentary evidence

Question 29

The rule of evidence of evidence admissibility provides three standards (tests of suitability) if the evidence will be allowed to be used in the case....

Answer 29

Evidence must be competent, relevant, and material to be held admissible

Question 30

Responsible evidence, sufficient to prove a fact has bearing on a case.

Answer 30

Competent evidence. It can pertain to physical items, documents and people

Question 31

Evidence which pertains and relates directly to the matter under consideration.

Answer 31

Relevant evidence

Question 32

Violation of constitutional rights

Answer 32

Exclusionary rule

Question 33

The body of the crime -the fact necessary to prove that the crime was committed.

Answer 33

Corpus delicti rule

Question 34

Phases of the criminal investigation

Answer 34

Preliminary investigation In-depth investigation Concluding investigation

Question 35

Majority of crimes processed by investigators are reported by

Answer 35

Either victims or witnesses

Question 36

3 phases of how a criminal investigation is begun

Answer 36

Reported by victims or witnesses Self initiation Patrol observation

Question 37

Field notes aid the investigator in the following way

Answer 37

1. They serve as the factual foundation for the report 2. They serve as memory aids 3. They enhance the credibility of the officer and the report

Question 38

Careful note taking will provide specific information in regard to the following areas of investigative importance (6)

Answer 38

1. Location and time of offense 2. Names and identifying data of victims, witnesses, or suspects 3. Verbatim statements 4. Property and injury listings 5. Investigative data and method of operation 6. Crime scene recording

Question 39

Notes should be.....

Answer 39

Legible and orderly in appearance and organization

Question 40

A professionally written law enforcement report can be thought of as containing 5 essential elements.....(5 c's)

Answer 40

1. Completeness 2. Conciseness 3. Clearness 4. Correctness 5. Courteousness or fairness