Criminal Investigation, Fourth Edition, offers a comprehensive and engaging examination of criminal investigation and the vital role criminal evidence plays in the process. The text focuses on the five critical areas essential to understanding criminal investigations: background and contextual issues, criminal evidence, legal procedures, evidence collection procedures, and forensic science. In this new edition, esteemed author Steven G. Brandl goes beyond a simple how-to on investigative procedures and analyzes modern research and actual investigative cases to demonstrate their importance in the real world of criminal justice.
New to the Fourth Edition:
- New and updated statistical information, research findings, investigative procedures, and legal cases ensure students are learning about the most current research in the field.
- Several new “From the Case File” chapter introductions and 25 new in-chapter “Case-in-Point” investigative case examples make it easier for students to connect the content to the real world.
- More than 75 new photos, most of which are case photos from actual investigations, illustrate key concepts to help keep students engaged with the content.
- New material on documenting evidence via reports provides examples of well-written police reports to help students build better writing skills.
- New material on social media and evidence from electronic digital devices discusses how to use new technology as a source of information.
- A stronger focus on terrorism and the use of technology in investigations encourages students to discuss and critically analyze the future of criminal investigations.
- New sections titled “Mental Mistakes in Criminal Investigations,” “Perspectives on the Criminal Investigation Process,” and “Qualities and Characteristics of Investigators” offer students tips and advice for conducting successful investigations.
- New material on touch DNA helps students see the benefits and limitations of scientific evidence gathered from a crime scene.
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Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Chapter 1: The Investigation of Crime
From the Case File: The Investigation of the Washington, D.C., Beltway Snipers
Criminal Investigation, Evidence, and Forensic Science Defined
Types of Criminal Investigations
Perspectives on the Criminal Investigation Process
The Role of Chance, Accident, and Discovery in Criminal Investigations
Mental Mistakes in Criminal Investigations
Qualities and Characteristics of Investigations
Criminal Investigation and the Criminal Justice System
Questions for Discussion and Review
Chapter 2: The History of Criminal Investigation
From the Case File: The Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping
The Importance of History in Understanding the Present and the Future
The Evolution of the Investigative Task: English Developments
The Evolution of the Investigative Task: American Developments
Questions for Discussion and Review
Chapter 3: The Role and Documentation of Evidence in Criminal Investigations
From the Case File: The Murder of Stanley Van Wagner
The Basics of Criminal Evidence
Testimonial, Real, Demonstrative, and Documentary Evidence
The Functions of Evidence
Documenting Evidence: The Value and Importance of Investigative Reports
Questions for Discussion and Review
Chapter 4: The Law and Criminal Investigations
From the Case File: Ernesto Miranda’s Confession
The Rules and Admissibility of Evidence
Constitutional Requirements for the Collection of Evidence
Questions for Discussion and Review
Chapter 5: Physical Evidence and the Crime Scene
From the Case File: The Murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman
The Role of Physical Evidence in Criminal Investigations
The Crime Scene and Its Management
Types of Physical Evidence
Other Types of Physical Evidence
The Role of Crime Laboratories in Criminal Investigations
Questions for Discussion and Review
Chapter 6: Interviews and Eyewitness Identifications
From the Case File: BP Gas Station Robbery
Types of Information Obtained From Witnesses
Methods of Eyewitness Identification
Value of Eyewitness Identifications in Establishing Proof
The Memory Process and the Identification Task
Guidelines for the Collection of Eyewitness Evidence
Investigative Tools in Interviewing
Questions for Discussion and Review
Chapter 7: Interrogations and Confessions
From the Case File: The “Secret” Interrogation of O. J. Simpson
The Controversy of Interrogation Methods
Prerequisites for a Productive Interrogation
Approaches to Investigative Interrogations
The Potential Problems With Police Deception in Interrogations
The Issue of False Confessions
Investigative Tools in Recognizing Deception
Questions for Discussion and Review
Chapter 8: Behavioral Evidence and Crime Analysis
From the Case File: A Mutilation Murder
Behavioral Analysis Defined
Questions for Discussion and Review
Chapter 9: Information From the Public, Social Media, Information Networks, Digital Devices, and Other Sources
From the Case File: “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City”
Information From the Public in Criminal Investigations
Information From Social Media in Criminal Investigations
Information From Electronic Devices and Digital Evidence
Questions for Discussion and Review
Chapter 10: Death Investigation
From the Case File: He Hit Her Until She Fell . . . and That Was Just the Beginning
Issues in the Investigation of Death: Manner of Death
Patterns and Characteristics of Homicide
Investigative Considerations With Death and Homicide
Major Challenges in Homicide Investigations: Serial Homicide
Major Challenges in Homicide Investigations: Cold Cases
Questions for Discussion and Review
Chapter 11: The Investigation of Sex Crimes, Assault, Child Abuse, and Related Offenses
From the Case File: “Since You Don’t Have Any Money . . .”
Varieties and Characteristics of Rape and Other Sexual Assaults
Investigative Considerations With Rape and Other Sexual Assaults
Other Sources of Evidence and Information in Sexual Assault Investigations
Varieties and Characteristics of Other Assaults
Investigative Considerations With Other Assaults
Domestic Violence and Child Abuse
Questions for Discussion and Review
Chapter 12: The Investigation of Robbery
From the Case File: The Robber Who Lost His Tool
Varieties and Characteristics of Robbery
Investigative Considerations With Robbery
The Property Taken in the Robbery
Interrogation Considerations
Other Strategies and Sources of Information
Questions for Discussion and Review
Chapter 13: The Investigation of Burglary, Vehicle Theft, Arson, and Other Property Crimes
From the Case File: Dad and Daughter Go to Work
Varieties and Characteristics of Burglaries
Investigative Considerations With Burglary
Varieties and Characteristics of Vehicle Theft
Investigative Considerations With Vehicle Theft
Varieties and Characteristics of Arson
Investigative Considerations With Arson
Varieties and Characteristics of Larceny
Investigative Considerations With Larceny
Interrogation Considerations With Burglars, Arsonists, and Other Thieves
Questions for Discussion and Review
Chapter 14: The Investigation of Fraud and Other Computer-Related Crimes
From the Case File: An Internet Chat With an Undercover Officer
Fraud and Its Investigation
Varieties of Computer-Facilitated Crime and Their Investigation
Questions for Discussion and Review
Chapter 15: The Presentation of Evidence
From the Case File: A Tragedy and Then More
Errors in Justice Outcomes
The Value and Importance of Investigative Testimony
Testimony of Investigators
Questions for Discussion and Review
Chapter 16: Terrorism, Technology, and the Future of Criminal Investigation
From the Case File: The Day the World Changed
The Future of Criminal Investigation
A New Approach to Criminal Investigations
The New Technology of Crime Detection
Questions for Discussion and Review
Appendix: Capstone Case
Glossary
Notes
Index