BLET Criminal Investigations 2024

Victim Interviews

1. Address medical needs first 2. Show empathy and patient 3. DO NOT share information provided by other sources 4. Document victim statements

Databases that house offender information

1. DCIN, NCIC, CJLEADS, NLETS

Suspect interviews

1. Do this last 2. Determine is it custodial or requires Miranda Rights 3. Use PRINCIPLES 4. Document statements in reports

Maliciously

1. Done with ill will, hatred, or spite 2. An inherently dangerous act or omission, done in such a reckless and wanton manner as to manifest a mind utterly without regard for human life and social duty and deliberately bent on mischief; 3. Done intentionally and without just cause, excuse, or justification.

Currency Evidence

1. Includes coins, cash, and stock or bond certificates 2. Photograph currency serial numbers 3. Identify totals for each denomination 4. Use a second person to verify 5. USE PLASTIC BAGS and HEAT-SEAL the open end

DNA Evidence

1. Includes human hair, tissue, bones, teeth, blood, saliva, semen, or other human fluids.

Excited Utterances

1. Out-of-court statements made during the heat of the moment while under stress or excitement.

Acquisition

1. Person's perception of the event

Mid-Range Photograph

1. Photograph crime scenes from inside the perimeter. 2. Perspective distance (e.g., 5-10 feet) will be determined by crime scene size and circumstances. 3. When possible, include unique features

Coordinate (Base Line)

Tape measure is stretched out over the length of a wall or parallel border. Measurements are taken from a distance on tape and a distance away from tape.

Guidelines Regarding Photographing of the Crime Scene

1. DO NOT USE a personal mobile phone or camera to photograph a crime scene or evidence. 2. All photographs should portray an unaltered scene in its most natural state when found. 3. DO NOT capture officers, EMS, and other public safety personnel in photographs. 4. Review each photograph to ensure clarity and focus before taking the next one. 5. Take as many original photographs as needed to capture the best possible image 6.DO NOT delete any photographs taken.

Collection of Electronic Evidence

1. DO NOT turn on or plug if the device is powered off 2. Determine the potential for trace, DNA, and fingerprint evidence 3. Photograph the device in its original condition 4. Turn on Airplane Mode

Crime Scene Log Noting

1. Date and time began 2. All persons inside or entering the crime scene 3. Name and agency of person 4. Reason the person was inside or made entry 5. Entry and Exit date, time, signature 6. Date and time ended

Chain-of-Custody Documentation

1. Date, time, and specific location 2. Name of officer who seized evidence 3. Name and agency of every person who came in contact 4. Complete and elaborate description of evidence (Owner's Name, Case Number, Make, Model, Serial Numbers, Color)

Packaging Electronic Evidence

1. For ELECTRONIC DEVICE use a FARADAY CONTAINER 2. DIGITAL DEVICES should be placed in ANTISTATIC PACKAGING 3. AVOID using PLASTIC PACKAGING MATERIALS

Securing a Crime Scene Perimeter

1. Identify and secure on all 4 sides to restrict unauthorized access. 2. Use (Line tape, Rope, Emergency Vehicles, Officers) 3. Line tape lettering (POLICE, SHERIFF, CRIME SCENE) 4. Attached to fixed or stable objects, positioned 4-5 feet from the ground

Grid Search

1. Involves conducting two separate lane searches that overlap at perpendicular angles to each other. 2. Used to cover areas more thoroughly for evidence that is harder to find given crime scene characteristics. 3. EX.) Searching for a six-inch knife in a wooded area.

Retrieval

1. Recall of stored information or memory 2. Two types -Recall -Recognition

Witness Interviews

1. Separate immediately, 2. Interview separately 3. Use PRIDES 4. Document all statements in reports.

Knowingly

1. When the person is aware or conscious of what they are doing 2. Subjective Knowledge 3. Objective Knowledge

Willfully

1. Wrongful act done without legal excuse or justification or the commission of an act purposefully and deliberately in violation of the law

Strict Liability

1. Crimes that do not require a guilty state of mind/mental state such as knowingly or intentionally 2. If the defendant committed the prohibited act and all elements are established: the defendant may be found guilty regardless of intentions or mental state

Accessory before the fact to a felony

1. Defendant consuls, procures, commands, or knowingly aids the other person in committing a felony

Common electronic data or file evidence

1. Emails and text messages 2. Documents or text files 3. Images 4. Audio 5. Social media content 6. Call logs 7. GPS data

Estimator Variables Examples

1. Exposure Duration 2. Distance 3. Person Condition 4. Weapon Focus 5. Disguises 6. Distinctive Features 7. Bias 8. Confidence

Law Enforcement Information Exchange (Llnx Carolinas)

1. Federal cooperative regional system for sharing law enforcement data contained in the RMS and CAD systems of the participating local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies 2. Provides access to LEO data includes -Arrests -Bookings -CAD calls -Warrants -Mugshots 3. Updates every 24HRS

Control System Variables

1. Immediately separate all involved parties 2. Instruct involved parties to not discuss 3. Ask open-ended questions 4. Remain fair and impartial 5. Use an independent administrator

Creating Crime Scene Drawings

1. Include case number, date, time, author name, "Not to scale" 2. Use a legend with symbols, letters, or numbers 3. Include accurate measurements between evidence and crime scene contents

Weapon Evidence

1. Includes Firearms, Ammo, Knives, Baseball bats, and other objects used to commit a crime 2. Determine potential trace evidence or DNA 3. Document make, model, and serial number 4. DO NOT STORE LOADED FIREARMS 5. USE CARDBOARD BOXES 6. DO NOT USE PLASTIC BAGS 7. Document a complete description of the weapon on an evidence tag

Physical (real) Evidence

1. Includes objects, property, and other items seized at crime scenes 2. Related to a crime can also be found at locations other than the actual scene

Testimonial Evidence

1. Includes statements made by victims, witnesses, and suspects relevant to a crime. 2. Statements made directly to LEO, confessions or admissions of guilt by suspects, written statements

Digital/Electronic Evidence

1. Information and data of value to a criminal investigation that is stored on, received, or transmitted by an electronic or handheld device 2. Latent or hidden, like trace, DNA, and fingerprint evidence 3. Found in computers, flash drives, memory cards, external media, smartphones, tablets, and Bluetooth devices 4. Involved in almost any criminal activity

Zone Search

1. Involves dividing the crime scene or area to be searched into adjacent parts or sections. 2. EX.) Each room within a house can be one 3. EX.) Dividing the interior of a vehicle into equal sections for searching 4. Use systematic method

Criminal Negligence

1. Involves recklessness or carelessness that shows a thoughtless disregard for consequences or a heedless indifference to the safety and rights of others

Circumstantial Evidence

1. Is proof of a chain or group of facts and circumstances pointing to the existence or non-existence of specific facts

Trace Evidence

1. Is transferred from one surface to another during physical contact between people, places, and objects. 2. Can be found almost anywhere, but it is fragile and easily contaminated. 3. Includes; soil, glass, textile fibers, paint particles, wood particles.

Neighborhood canvas

1. Is where one or more officers go door-to-door in specific areas related to a crime scene and conduct field interviews

Clothing and Linen Evidence

1. Items worn or used by both victims or suspects 2. Determine potential trace evidence or DNA 3. USE PAPER BAGS, MANILA ENVELOPES, CARDBOARD BOXES, AND OTHER POROUS MATERIALS 4. NEVER USE PLASTIC BAGS to collect wet, damp, or bloody clothing 5. Package DNA evidence separately

North Carolina administrative office of the courts (AOC)

1. May contain information on felony, misdemeanor, and traffic charges against individuals. 2. These are local records maintained by the clerk of court in each county. 3. Warrant information and criminal records inquiries can be made into the AOC files to check a specific county, group of counties, or statewide search.

Intentionally

1. Means the person intends or desires certain consequences due to their actions 2. General Intent 3. Specific Intent 4. Transferred Intent

Systematic Search

1. More effective when done consistently 2. Top-down 3. Front-Back 4. Left-Right 5. Outside-Inside

Impression Evidence

1. One object presses against another with enough force to leave a corresponding imprint 2. Includes Shoe Prints, Vehicle Tire Tracks, Human Bite Marks 3. Can be found in Snow, Blood, Dirt or Sand, Human Skin

Reliable Identification Factors

1. Opportunity to view 2. Degree of attention 3. Accuracy of description 4. Level of certainty 5. Time elapsed between the crime and ID procedure

Overall Photograph

1. Photograph crime scenes from the outer perimeter first. 2. Multiple angles or perspectives may be needed 3. For outdoor crime scenes should include items that positively identify the location

Triangulation Method

1. Primarily used for outdoor crime scenes when there are no identifiable objects of fields or roads to use as reference points 2. Can be used for indoor crime scenes by using room wall corners as reference points

CJLEADS

1. Provides comprehensive and integrated information about criminals from state databases (all 50 states) 2. Including warrants, court records, jail/prison records, probation or parole status, sex offender registration, gang affiliation, approach with caution warnings, address records, photographs, associates, and Division of Motor Vehicles records.

Fingerprint Evidence

1. Refers to human skin ridge impressions left behind on specific surfaces 2. Must be exposed to special chemicals or light 3. Primary responsibilities for untrained first responders are identifying and protections fingerprint evidence

Best Evidence Rule

1. Requires that, unless they are unobtainable, original documents rather than copies be introduced into evidence.

DCIN (Division of Criminal Information Network)

1. SBI maintains the state's law enforcement and criminal justice computer network. 2. Links local, state and many other agencies together and is useable 24 hours a day 3. Has a computer link with DMV

Storing Electronic Evidence/Devices

1. Secure away from temperature and humidity extremes 2. Protect from magnetic sources, moisture, dust and other harmful particles

Surveillance Video Evidence

1. Should be collected, packaged, and stored as digital evidence 2. Many businesses and many private homes use 3. To be admissible in court -Properly maintained and operating =Accuraltey presents the events depicted -Whether there is an unbroken chain of custody

Rectangular coordinate

1. System of right angles that can be used for indoor or outdoor crime scenes, provided there are fixed reference points such as wall or curb

Chain-of-Custody

1. The meticulous and chronological documentation of evidence; from the moment it is seized by law enforcement to its presentation in court

Modus Operandi Common Behaviors

1. Time and location 2. Weapon used 3. Type of property stolen 4. Type of victim 5. Unique rituals before, during, or after

Retention

1. Time that passes between the original event and recollection of a specific piece of information

Aiding and abetting

1. To knowingly advise, instigate, encourage, procure, or help another person commit a crime 2. Suspect's actions or statements caused or contributed to the commission of the crime by another person

NCIC (National Crime Information Center)

1. Two main files are persons and property. 2. Person files are used to identify a specific type of individual (Missing, Wanted, Gangs, Terrorist, ICE, Parole) 3. Property files are used to identify specific lost, stolen, and recovered items. Includes descriptions and unique info.

Packaging items with Potential DNA

1. Use PPE 2. Use containers made from paper (Bags, Envelops, Cardboard boxes) 3. Avoid talking, sneezing, coughing to avoid contamination

Vehicle Searches

1. Use systematic and zone methods 2. Be mindful of the time limits on detainment during the stop 3. Call and wait for backup Officers before searching

Person Search

1. Use systematic and zone methods for this and never do alone if possible 2. Secure and search before any containers 3. DO NOT ASK to remove things from pockets

Lane Search

1. Used to cover large areas quickly for missing people or evidence that would be easy to see given crime scene characteristics. 2. EX.) Searching for a specific car in a parking lot 3. Assign one officer to each lane should be 4-6FT width

Show-Up

1. A procedure in which an eyewitness is presented with a single live suspect for the purpose of determining whether the eyewitness can identify the perpetrator of a crime

Close-up Photograph

1. A ruler or measuring scale should be used especially when comparison issues are needed (e.g., fingerprints, tool marks, tire prints, shoe prints, skid marks, visible gunshot residue). 2. Should be taken with and without evidence markers or tents. 3. Take photographs of specific evidence from a perspective fewer than four feet away.

Modus Operandi

1. A specific behavior patterns used to connect multiple crimes with a single person 2. Learned behaviors a suspect believes are necessary to commit a crime 3. Will not necessarily provide a suspects name, but can furnish vital information that may assist in clearing other cases

A dying deceleration

1. A statement made by a declarant while believing that the declarant's death was imminent concerning the cause or circumstances of what the declarant believed to be their impending death

Principals- Acting Indirectly

1. A suspect causes the occurrence that constitutes the crime by using another who is not himself or herself guilty but brings about the occurrence in the suspects absence

Principals — acting in concert

1. A suspect who is actually or constructively present at the scene when a crime is committed and acts together with another who does acts necessary to constitute the crime pursuant to a common plan or purpose is acting in concert.

3 Stage Process of Human Memory

1. Acquisition 2. Retention 3. Retrieval

Estimator Variables

1. Affect how people acquire information DURING an event 2. Can impact the accuracy of the testimonial evidence provided by victims, witnesses, and suspects

National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS)

1. Allows communications between all 50 states and Canada. 2. Includes: Driver's license -Vehicle registration -Boat registration -Criminal history to include sexual offender records -Probation, parole, and corrections information -Criminal justice related administrative messages -Canadian Police Information Center (CPIC)National -Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)

Hearsay

1. An oral or written "statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted. 2. Second-hand statement made by someone other than the witness

Place Searches

1. Are determined by circumstances and evidence sought. 2. Can range from a four feet by six feet (4' × 6') closet to a 100-acre wooded area. 3. Strategies are determined by crime scene conditions and evidence sought.

DCIN "Hot Files"

1. Available only to NC 2. Recovered Vehicles 3. NC Conceal Carry 4. Sex Offender Registration 5. DAC Records

Direct Evidence

1. Can be testimony about what the person has seen, heard, smelled, felt, or done based on their own senses.

System Variables

1. Can impact a persons ability to recall information accurately AFTER and event 2. Memories can be influenced by contaminated by information provided by others.

Document Evidence

1. Checks, billing statements, purchase receipts, handwritten letters, signatures, and statements 2. Determine potential trace evidence or DNA 3. Handle with gloves or tweezers 4. DO NOT alter or assemble 5. USE PAPER ENVELOPES for packaging 6. If wet, must be air-dried before storing

Wantonly

1. Conscious and intentional disregard of or deliberate indifference to the rights and safety of others. 2. Essentially the same as willfully.