Criminal investigation week 1
there is no inspection sticker
Which of the following is NOT an indicator that would lead an officer to belive that a vehicle was stolen after being stopped
Grey market vehicles
________ vehicles are foreign-made vehicles not produced for sale in the US but have been imported by individuals or companys into the US
Bias
A highly personal and unreasond distortion of judgement.
Statement:
A legal narrative description of events related to a crime.
Hate Crime:
A criminal offense against a person or property which is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender's bias against race, religion, ethnic/national origin group, or sexual orientation group. (CCP 42.014 (a))
Modus Operandi (MO):
A criminal's characteristic method of operation.
Suspect:
A person considered to be directly or indirectly connected with a crime, either by overt act or by planning and/or directing it.
Witness:
A person who saw a crime or some part of it being committed or who has relevant information.
Autopsy:
A postmortem examination of the body of a person, including X-rays and examination of the internal organs and structures after dissection, to determine the cause of death or nature of any pathological changes that may have contributed to the death. CCP 49.01 (1)
Grid search
A variation of the strip or line search utilizing two compass directions. This type of search is useful for providing two views of the same area.
Sexual Assault:
Aid the victim (includes care for injuries as well as emotional support) Preserve evidence (at scene as well as victim and clothing) Document injuries Photograph or videotape area Interview witnesses (if any) Interview victim Prepare preliminary report
Crime:
An act or omission forbidden by law and punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or even death. Crimes and their penalties are established and defined by state and federal statutes and local ordinances.
Prejudice:
An opinion or leaning adverse to anything without just grounds or before obtaining sufficient knowledge.
Criminal homicides generally fall into nine categories:
Anger killing - an extension of the crime of assault. Dispute-anger-attack-death (cycle of violence). Revenge or jealousy killing - history of involvement between perpetrator and victim. Triangle killing - husband or wife kills spouse who has involved himself/herself with another lover. Killing for profit - the elimination of another because it would result in profit for the murderer. Random killing - seemingly motive-less. Most difficult to solve. Drive-by shootings as a result of gang activity Murder-suicide-actor kills another, then self. Not, uncommon among elderly and mentally distraught. Sex and Sadism - marked by unusual violence. May follow rape, acts of sexual perversion, or sadistic acts felony murder - death results from injuries received during the commission of some other felony.
Evidence:
Anything to be offered in court to prove the truth or falsity of a fact in issue.
Assaults:
Care for injured, record injuries Process scene Determine type of dispute (origin, place, time, participants, witnesses) Identify weapon or weapons Interview participants and witnesses Prepare preliminary report
Elements of a crime:
Conditions that must occur for an act to be called a specific kind of crime.
Probable Cause:
Credible information exists that would cause a reasonable and prudent person to believe a particular suspect committed or is committing a specific offense (in the case of arrest); Or - Credible information exists that would cause a reasonable and prudent person to believe there is a fair probability that contraband or evidence of a crime will be found in a particular place.
9
Criminal homicide falls into how many categories
objectivity
Criminal investigators should strive for ________when conducting any investigation. The actions of an investigator, or lack thereof can affect the lives of all those involved, both guilty and innocent.
elements of the offense
It is essential the corpus delecti as well as the _____ in order to bring the matter before the court to test the guilt or innocence of the accused
Proof beyond a reasonable doubt:
Level of proof required to obtain a conviction in a criminal trial.
Circumstantial Evidence:
Not based on actual personal knowledge or observation of the facts in controversy, but of other facts from which deductions are drawn, showing indirectly the facts sought to be proved.
Field Identification:
On-the-scene identification of a suspect by the victim of or witness to a crime, conducted within minutes of the commission of a crime.
Fence:
One who receives and disposes of stolen property on a regular basis.
Robber:
PC 29.02, 29.03 Indicates a tendency to use violence on a stranger Bolder type personality - sacrifices secrecy through confrontation with victim Generally classed according to style ambush - least planned; based on element of surprise planned operation - carefully structured; robbery group examines all aspects of the situation and plans for foreseeable contingencies. May engage in "dry runs" in preparation for robbery or "casing" of the robbery scene May specialize in specific targets i.e., banks, jewelry stores, home invasion. "Signature" aspects of robbery (modus operandi) may help in typing a person or group to a series of robberies Use of "backup" creates a special hazard to officers responding to robbery in progress
Professional thief:
PC 31.03 Profit motive Operate so as to minimize chances of observation Lack of eyewitnesses. May be traced when stolen property is recovered. This type requires planning, direction, and operating skills. The type of property stolen may be an important clue. Often work in conjunction with criminal receivers (fences). May also commit the crimes of burglary, white collar crimes, , vehicle theft, agricultural crimes and arson.
Con Artists and Con Games or Schemes:
PC 32.44, 31.03 Based on promises of unusual return i.e. something for nothing, double your money, etc. Often use victims own greed, assuring them risks are minimal Often use props in carrying out schemes Frequently work with partner(s) Often prey on elderly Generally very mobile Tend to be non-violent
Legal authority for crime scene:
Peace officer to prevent injury - CCP 6.06 Conduct of peace officer - CCP 6.07 Duties performed by medical examiner - CCP 49.25 Removal of body & property from place of death - CCP 49.05 Sealing premises of deceased by medical examiner - CCP 49.22
Complainant:
Person requesting an investigation or that action is taken. Is often the victim of a crime.
Laws of arrest, search and seizure:
Provides guidance on what investigative techniques are acceptable. Mastery and knowledge of criminal procedures and the rules of evidence enable the investigator to gather evidence against a suspect that can withstand court challenges.
Child Abuse and Exploitation:
Reconstruct the event or events. Determine if a crime has been committed. Identify person or persons responsible. Take appropriate action to protect child. Prepare preliminary report.
acts of violence
Sexual assaults are_________
Fact:
Something known to be true.
Reasonable Suspicion:
Specific articulable facts, together with rational inferences from those facts that would reasonably warrant the detention of a person.
Characteristics of a criminal investigator:
Suspicious Curious Observant Unbiased and Unprejudiced Develops rapport through interpersonal communication skillsLogical thinking Creative problem solving
identity theft
The assumption of another person identity for the use in fraudulent transactions that result in a loss to the victim acquisition of something of value by the offender
Reasonable Doubt:
The level of certainty a juror must have to find a defendant guilty of a crime. The burden of proof in a criminal case - proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Truth .
The ultimate goal of any criminal investigation is to determine, to the extent possible, the _______about how a crime occurred
Exersize power over the victim
The perpatrators purpose is to
Victim:
The person injured by a crime.
Interviewing:
The questioning of victims, witnesses, or suspects in a criminal investigation.
Instrumentation or forensic science:
The techniques that help in the solution of the crime. Consists of fingerprints, serology, ballistics, and DNA analysis, etc.
Evidence
The term ________ includes all means by which an alleged fact, the truth of which is submitted to scrutiny is established or disapproved
Quadrant, Sector or Zone Search:
This type of search is effective for indoor and outdoor scenes that have regular patterns or defined borders. This type of search also permits different types of searches in the different sectors. . Subdivide the scene into areas or sectors: o A building into rooms o A bookshelf into sections o A vehicle into sections
Circular (Spiral or Concentric) Search:
This type of search is useful when an item is missing from the center and the search must be conducted rapidly. The search may begin in the inside or the outside as the circumstances dictate.
Street
Uniform officers enconter ______ theives more often than the truly professional car thief
Rapport:
a feeling of ease and harmony in a contact or relationship between people.
Bias
a highly personal and unreasond distrortion of judgement
Post mortem lividity
a purplish discoloration observable on the parts of the body that are nearest the ground. Appears from one to two hours after death, and may provide a clue as to whether the body was moved after death. Indicates body position for one to two hours after death. Is dependent upon several factors, including ambient temperature, body temperature at time of death, body mass, age...
Crime
an acto or ommison forbidden by law and punsihable by a fine imprisnment or even death crimes and their penalties are estableshed and defined by state and federal statues and local ordinances
anger killing
an exstention of assault dispite anger attack death
Identify information that should be made known to other officers.
any known information describing suspect and suspect's clothing; involved vehicles; weapons; direction of travel; fruits of the crime.
Rigor Mortis
because of chemical changes occurring in body tissues, the muscles stiffen after death. This stiffening starts at the neck and lower jaw and spreads downward. Onset of rigor mortis may start from 15 minutes to 15 hours after death, but as a general rule, it starts 5 to 6 hours after death. The upper part is affected within about 12 hours and the whole body within about 18 hours. Rigor mortis usually disappears within thirty-six hours, again beginning at the head and neck and extending to the lower parts of the body. This latter process may take from 8 to 10 hours. Presence of absence of stiffening may help in establishing time of death.
Curious
desires to investigate and learn the facts and truth about people, places or objects. This means being habitually curious of such things as spontaneous statements by suspects, an unusual amount of money in the possession of a person of modest means, etc.
corpus delicti
facts proving that a crime has been committed; body of the victim in a murder case
Observant
investigators should be trained observers. They should develop the ability to take accurate notice of, keep in view and give attention to, that which is present in their five senses.
Chain of Custody
is the process in which records transactions of evidence from person to person since its acquisition by a law enforcement agency.
elements of the offense
it is essential to prove the corpus delicti as well as the _______ in order to bring the natter before a court to test the guilt or innocence of the accused
corpus delecti
literally means the body or substance of the crime in law the term refers to proof establishing that a crime has occoured the neccessary elements that consitiute a crime
Corpus delicti:
literally means the body or substance of the crime. In law the term refers to proof establishing that a crime has occurred; the necessary elements that constitute a crime.
Random killing
seemingly motive-less. Most difficult to solve.
Suspicious
takes nothing for granted. Investigators may find that victims and witnesses, as well as suspects, may be motivated by various physiological, psychological, and sociological needs that may "color" the information they give. Gathers information, but verifies it's credibility.
Putrefaction
the decomposition of body tissues. Onset and rate are influenced by the temperature of the environment. Principal changes involve bloating of the body by gas, darkening of the skin in suspended parts of body, green discoloration of the abdominal area, and the formation of blisters filled with fluid or gas, may help in approximating time of death.
information
the knowledge of a criminal investigator gathers from other perosns (victims witness suspects
interviewing
the questioning of victims and witnesses of a crime
Body temperature -
the temperature of the body is normally 98.6 F. The rate of cooling is dependent on the temperature of the air, the manner in which the body is clothed, and the size of the person. Body temperature may help in determining time of death.
eveidence
the term _________ inclueds all means by which an alleged fact the truth of which is submitted to scrutiyiny is establised by
truth
the ulitamte goal of any criminal investigation is to determine the _______ of how a crime occurred
pleasure killing
what is not a category of a criminal homicide
killing of another person and self
what is the defintion of muder suicide
history of involvement between purpitratror and victim
what is the defintion of revenge killing
NCIC/TCIC
whcich of the following is the correct acryonym when an officer needs to deterimne if a vehicle or property is stolen
Cadaveric Spasm
when there is severe injury to the central nervous system or when there was great tension at the time of death, sometimes stiffening occurs immediately. The stiffening is usually in the small muscles of the face and/or hands. This gives strong presumptive evidence of suicide if the hand is clutching the weapon.
There is fast food in the vehicle
which is not one of the ways that may lead an officer to suspect that a vehicle is stolen
Trickery
which one of the following is NOT one of the four methods of gaining sexual access to a person
all deaths are a result of murder
which statement is not correct when dealing with criminal homicides