Criminal Investigations- Dots

Front 1

When should an officer photograph injuries resulting from a domestic violence situation?

Back 1

Physical evidence is very important in domestic and dating violence investigations and an officer should photograph and document it carefully. It may be necessary for an officer to return in 24-48 hours to take additional pictures of the victim to fully document any bruising. Physical evidence can help solve a case involving uncooperative witnesses. Evidence can also help to corroborate the accounts of witnesses or participants.

Front 2

What are some possible courses of action an officer could suggest to paties in a domestic violence situation when arrest isn't a viable option?

Back 2

(1) Obtain counseling; (2) Act on information provided on handouts covering domestic and dating violence and injunctions; (3) Seek assistance from social service agencies the officer refers them to. (4) In order to keep the peace, one party leaves. The officer can coordinate the change by arranging transportation or safe haven.

Front 3

What paperwork is necessary to complete a domestic violence call?

Back 3

If an officer does not make an arrest in a domestic violence incident he or she is required to document this incident indicating in a full report why the officer made no arrest. In doing so, the officer assumes, as does his or her agency a certain amount of liability should the parties reengage in violence and injury occurs. The victim must also sign a receipt for the "Domestic Violence" brochure, which the officer will place in the incident report.

Front 4

What steps should an officer take when conducting an initial investigation alleging child abuse or neglect?

Back 4

Child abuse investigations are time sensitive. Upon arrival, the officer should survey the scene for evidence of alleged child abuse or neglect. If an officer cannot establish where the incident occurred, he or she must treat the entire area as a crime scene. When searching the home for children, the officer may learn that an individual is hiding a child. While securing the scene the officer should identify all parties and their relationships to one another, to include parents, caregivers, or guardians. Preliminary questions should be asked to identify victims, witnesses, and suspects and to determine allegations made by the complainant. When the officer has identifying information, he or she should contact dispatch, and ask for wants/warrant checks and criminal histories of household members and others involved.

Front 5

What should an officer keep in mind prior to conducting an interview wiht a juvenile?

Back 5

There is a statutory limit on the number of interview conducted with a child victim. The officer should refer to local agreements or agency policyon interviewing procedures. F.S. 914.16 has set guidelines and limits on interviewing child abuse or sexual abuse victims who are under 16 years old. The limits also apply to persons who are mentally retarded. The purpose of these limitations is to protect the victim form psychological damage caused by repeated questioning about a traumatic incident.

Front 6

How should an officer determine whether first aid or other medical attention is needed for a victim of child abuse or neglect?

Back 6

Without seeking details, the officer should find out from the victim what happened, observe any injuries to the victim or other household members, and immediately determine whether anyone needs medical treatment. Officers should look for signs of physical abuse such as suspicious bruises, welts, burns, fractures, lacerations, and abrasions. Whenever possible an officer of the same sex should examine the injured person. This is particularly important if an officer must remove or open clothing to examine injuries.

Front 7

What should an officer look for when attempting to verify whether a person is being threatened or victimized when responding to an alleged disabled adult or elder abuse situation?

Back 7

Signs of abuse or exploitation may not be obvious. The officer may observe varying levels of neglect. It may be recent or long standing. When evaluating neglect situations it is important to reserve judgment about people's lives and lifestyle choices. Hygiene and cleanliness standards also vary. The officer may have cause for concern when the caregiver withholds needed care or items from a disabled adult or elderly person who endures undue hardship, or that individual's health and safety are in jeopardy.

Front 8

When responding to a disabled adult or elderly person being victimized what should the officer look for?

Back 8

The officer must recongize the victim's reactions and respond accordingly. Loud or argumentative reactions can signal impending violence. Crying or laughing may express the victim's relief that an officer has finally arrived. Quiet or regressive behavior may indicate suffering. The officer should take extra time to be sensitive to the victim's needs; observe carefully, speak simply, and have patience. Elderly persons tend to be trusting and thus vulnerable to crime and victimization.

Front 9

How should an officer conduct an initial assessment of a criminal, accidental, or natural cause of death?

Back 9

After arriving at a scene involving a dead person, the officer should begin collecting information to make an initial assessment regarding the circumstances of the person's death. The officer should always approach the scene as a crime scene and consider it a homicide crime scene until the information he or she gathers is consistent with the elements of a death by natural causes or accident.

Front 10

How should an officer approach a dead body?

Back 10

The officer should scan the area surrounding the possible dead body for potential hazards or evidence by performing a 360 degree visual sweep within the perimeter. The best path to the body should be determined so as not to destroy or contaminate possible evidence. Officers should remember to apply universal precautions and use PPE prior to approaching the body.

Front 11

What are signs to look for when attempting to detect indications of death?

Back 11

While oberving the body, the officer should look for obvious signs of trauma, such as the presence of blood, cuts, gashes, or bruising. The officer should look for an obvious fatal injury, such as a bullet hole in the head or chest, and notify his or her supervisor or detectives if any signs of trauma or obvious fatal injury are present.

Front 12

What steps should be taken by the officer to preserve any evidence on or near the body?

Back 12

During the initial assessment, the officer should try to determine whether the death was from criminal, accidental, or natural causes by identifying observable evidence. Any evidence on or near the body should be preserved as the officer secures the crime scene. The officer should remember to document the names of persons on the scene and any changes made to the scene. If the officer is in a public location, he or she shuld place a visual barrier between the body and the public without cross contaminating any evidence. The officers should then notify specialized units and or the medical examiner and wait for their arrival.

Front 13

When should an officer contact the Medical Examiner's office?

Back 13

When any person dies in Florida by criminal violence, accident, suicide, or through any suspicious or unusual circumstances, the Medical Examiner must be notified, as stated in F.S. 406.11. The officer should not disturb the body until authorized by the ME and or pursuan to multi-agency agreements.

Front 14

When should an officer contact the doctor of the deceased?

Back 14

If there are no signs of foul play or trauma, the officer should contact the deceased person's doctor and inform him or her of the death. If an officer finds prescription bottles at the scene of the deceased person...contact doctor listed on bottle...obtain explanation for medicinal use of the medication.

Front 15

Why is it important to obtain medical confirmation of a recent death?

Back 15

The medical examiner or the deceased's doctor must confirm a death of the deceased person. If a doctor refuses to sign a death certificate, the officer should immediately contact the ME and inform him or her of the findings.

Front 16

What are the goals of a death notification?

Back 16

To make a clear statement that a death has occurred. To allow time for venting of feelings. To obtain medical help, if needed. To guide the bereaved if they go into shock. To provide guidance in managing details. To assist in notifying significant others. To make referrals for follow-up support services.

Front 17

What are the recommended procedures for delivering death notifications?

Back 17

Be absolutely certain of the identity of the deceased. Get as much medical information as possible. Go in person if possible. Take someone with you (victim advocate, clergy, another relative, neighbor). Talk about your reactions on the way. Present credentials and ask to come in. Sit down and ask them to sit down. Inform simply and directly with compassion. Do not discount feelings, theirs or yours. Join the survivors in their grief. Answer all questions honestly. Offer to make calls. Talk to media only after speaking to family first. Do not leave survivors alone. Give your contact information. Describe the procedure for identifying the deceased and provide transportation if necessary. Call next day, as follow-up, and ask to visit again. Let them know you care.

Front 18

What shouldn't you say when delivering death notifications?

Back 18

I know how you feel. Time heals all wounds. You must go on with your life. You must be strong for your wife/husband/children/parents. It must have been his/her time. You do not need to know that. What you don't know will not hurt you.

Front 19

What should you say when delivering death notifications?

Back 19

It is harder than most people think. Most who have gone through this react similarly to what you are experiencing. If I were in you situation I would feel very .... too.

Front 20

What do survivors need during death notifications?

Back 20

Venting of emotions. Restoration of control. Calm, reassuring authority. Preparation and prediction.

Front 21

What is the nature and scope of the human trafficking problem?

Back 21

Estimated that every year 800,000 to 2 million are trafficked worldwide. 18-20,000 victims brought into US. Up to 27 million people are in slaverty worldwide. Human trafficking is a lucrative business wiht an estimated 13 plus billion dollars in profits each year. While immigrants are often the victims, traffickers may exploit anyone who is vulnerable.

Front 22

What has been the impact of the passing of the Trafficking Victim Protection Act (TVPA) in 2000?

Back 22

TVPA brought about some very important additions and modifications. Physical force is no longer a required element; showing psychological coercion now suffices. It enables trafficking victims to obtain medical care, witness protection, housing assistance, and other social services. Trafficking victims can attain temporary legal immigration status if they a are willing to cooperate. The fact that a victim initially consented to being smuggled doesn't preclude them from becoming a trafficking victim. Things that a victim hears about other workers suffering are admissible to show a climate of fear in which they were held.

Front 23

What are some immigration issues that affect human trafficking victims?

Back 23

Conferring legal stauts on victims takes a humanitarian approach instead of treating the victims like criminals, and it makes the victims available as witnesses, rather than in the days when victims faced deportation. Because a victim of this crime is a slave in the US, Congress has chosen to protect these crime victims by allowing them to stay in America.

Front 24

What is some key information that an officer should try to obtain during the initial conversation with a victim of human trafficking?

Back 24

Information or issues about the victim's employment situation, personal safety, social networks, and immigration statuts. It is important to obtain this information through converstations, not formal interviews.

Front 25

What is the community's role in recognizing and reporting human trafficking?

Back 25

Collaboration among key service providers, law enforcement, and many others at the local level is crucial. The need for a collaborative approach across all sectors and levels of law enforcement, prosecution, and victim services is most important.

Front 26

What steps should an officer take to identify the cause of the search in the case of a missing person?

Back 26

(1) Respond promptly to the scene of the report of a missing person. (2) Consider activating patrol vehicle mounted video camera when approaching scene to record vehicles, people, and anything else of note. (3) Interview the person who made the initial report. (4) Confirm that the person is in fact missing.

Front 27

After verifying that child is in fact missing what steps should the officer then take?

Back 27

(1) Verify the child's custody status. (2) Identify the circumstances of the dissapearance. (3) Determine when, where, and who last saw the missing person. (4) Interview the individual who last had contact with the missing person. (5) Identify the person's zone of safety for his or her age, developmental, physical, and mental state.

Front 28

After identifying possible physical or psychological problems of a missing person the officer should then...?

Back 28

Make an initial determination of the type of incident. Obtain a description of the missing person including photograph(s) and videotapes.

Front 29

What should be the scope of the intial search of a scene involving a missing person?

Back 29

Obtain and note permission to conduct a thorough search of the missing person's home. Extend the search to surrounding areas including vehicles and other places of concealment. Determine if surveillance or security cameras in the vicinity may have captured information about the dissapearance.

Front 30

What areas should be searched in a missing person situation?

Back 30

The initial search should include buildings and areas where someone last saw the missing, lost, or endangered person. The officer should do this to make sure the person is not inside the residence, especially when he or she is searching for children. The officer should use a scent discriminating dog, preferably a bloodhound, to search the residence and the area around it. If the person is not in the building, the officer should establish a perimeter.

Front 31

What steps should be taken by an officer after establishing a perimeter involving a missing person?

Back 31

The officer should use his or her knowledge of how far the missing person could travel based on his or her physical condition and where he or she was seen last to determine the scope of the search. The officer should secure the area where someone last saw the person and control entry adn exit points if the situation seems to be a criminal abduction, if foul play is suspected, or if a child is missing. The officer should notify his or her supervisor for additional backup units if necessary.

Front 32

What should an officer do if he or she finds a missing person?

Back 32

If an officer finds the missing person alive, he or she must make sure the person receives necessary medical attention. If the victim does not need medical treatment, the officer should follow reunification procedures to ensure the child or adult is brought to a safe environment.

Front 33

How is federal and state law applied in a missing person situation?

Back 33

F.S. 409.441 confirms that law enforcement agencies are to be involved in the process for handling runaway youth. F.S. 937.025 imposes an obligation to government and school employees to promptly report any information that coudl assist law enforcement in locating a child, ascertaining who has custody of the child, or determining whether the child is in danger of physical injury or death. Federal law requires law enforcement to take reports immediately on any missing endangered children under 21 including runaways.

Front 34

What is needed to activate the Florida AMBER Plan?

Back 34

(1) The child must be under 18 years of age. (2) There must be a clear indication of abduction. (3) The local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction must recommend the activation. (4) There must be detailed description of a child and/or abductor/vehicle to broadcast to the public. (5) The law enforcement agency's investigation must conclude that the child's life is in danger.

Front 35

What are some additional resources that can be utilized to locate missing people?

Back 35

The statewide Silver Alert is a plan to aid law enforcement in the rescue or recovery of a missing elderly person who suffers from irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties. Also, the Child Abduction Response Team (CART) is a multi agency child abduction team that permits law enforcement to make an organized, rapid, and planned response to an abducted child or other missing endangered child cases. When an endangered or abducted child is taken out of stae, the FBI will usually spearhead the investigation. An officer should follow his or her agency policy and procedure when contacting the FBI.

Front 36

Should a missing person incident be documented and recorded into NCIC/FCIC?

Back 36

An officer should document missing endangered and abducted child incidents by writing a thorough, complete account of the incident including all actions taken, according to his or her agency policy and procedure. The proper reporting form should be used to log the information into the FCIC/NCIC and MEPIC databases.

Front 37

What are the elements of robbery?

Back 37

A robbery occurs when a suspect takes property from a person by using force, violence, or assault, or by putting the victim in fear, wiht the intent to permanently or temporarily deprive the victim of his or her right to the property or appropriating the property of the victim to the suspect's own use or to the use of any person not entitled to it. A robbery is a theft plus violence.

Front 38

What items need to be included in a preliminary robbery report?

Back 38

Items in the preliminary robbery report should include a complete description of the suspect and weapons and the manner in which the suspect concealed and displayed the weapons. Officers should attempt to obtain from the witnesses the suspect's actions and the exact wording used during the robbery. The report should also include details regarding the suspect's treatment of victims. Finally, if possible, a complete itemized list of property taken, with serial numbers, should be included.

Front 39

What steps need to be taken by an officer upon encountering a victim of sexual battery?

Back 39

After determining and locating the crime scene, the officer should secure the scene if possible. Preliminary information should be obtained from any witnesses. The officer should also initiate a BOLO and secure the crime scene. The victim should be interviewed privately with a victim advocate, if possible. Agency policy and procedure should be followed when arranging for a sexual battery exam, collection of clothing, and notification of a sex crime investigator. Only medical personnel may perform a physical and/or sexual battery examination, which may later provide evidence and information to further the investigation.

Front 40

How should an officer deal with a victim of a sexual battery?

Back 40

The officer should interview the victim privately with the victim advocate. An officer shouldn't ask the victim about his/her sexual history, whether the victim climaxed, size of penis, what they did to bring on the assault, willing to take a polygraph, or whether they enjoyed the assault.

Front 41

What should an officer look for when searching for a suspect of a sexual assault?

Back 41

When searching for a suspect of a sexual assault on a child, the officer should look for the presence of child erotica, pornography, or videos, or the presence of children's toys or computer games when there are no children residing in the home of a sexual offender and/or predator.

Front 42

What is lewd and lascivious battery?

Back 42

Involves in egaging in sexual activity with a person 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years of age; or encouraging, forcing, or enticing any person less than 16 years of age to engage in sadomasochistic abuse, sexual bestiality, prostitution, or any other act involving sexual activity.

Front 43

What is lewd and lascivious molestation?

Back 43

Occurs when a person intentionally touches in a lewd or lascivious manner the breasts, genitals, genital area, or buttocks, or the clothing covering them, of a person less than 16 years of age, or forces or entices a person less than 16 years of age to so touch the offender.

Front 44

What is lewd and lascivious conduct?

Back 44

By intentionally touching a person less than 16 years of age in a lewd or lascivious manner; or soliciting a person under 16 years of age to commit a lewd or lascivious act.

Front 45

What is lewd or lascivious exhibition?

Back 45

Occurs when a person intentionally masturbates, exposes the genitals in a lewd or lascivious manner, or commits any other sexual act that does not involve actual physical or sexual contact with the victim, including, but not limited to, sadomasochistic abuse, sexual bestiality, or the simulation of any act involving sexual activity in the presence of a victim less than 16 years of age. If done online is also a lewd or lascivious exhibition if offender knows or should have known victim viewing was less than 16 years of age.

Front 46

Is urinating in public or breastfeeding considered the exposure of sexual organs?

Back 46

Urinating in public should be charged as disorderly conduct rather than exposure of sexual organs. Under no circumstances can a mother violate this section by breastfeeding her baby in public.

Front 47

What is voyeurism?

Back 47

Is when someone with lewd, lascivious, or indecent intent secretely observes another person when the other person is located in a dwelling, structure, or conveyance and such location provides a reasonable expectation of privacy. This can also evolve into stalking, loitering, and prowling.

Front 48

What are the proper procedures for dealing with a victim of a hate crime?

Back 48

When responding to a victim of a hate crime, an officer should remain calm, objective, and professional. The officer should ask the victim how he or she could help, questioning the victim as to what the individual's needs and wants are. The officer should listen attentively and let the victim vent. The officer should assure hate crime victims of his or her professional interest in serving justice.

Front 49

What is disorderly conduct?

Back 49

Conduct that corrupts the public morals, outrages the sense of public decency, or affects the peace and quiet of persons who may witness it.

Front 50

What is disorderly intoxication?

Back 50

No person in the state shall be intoxicated and endanger the safety of another person or property, and no person in the state shall be intoxicated or drink any alcoholic beverage in a public place or upon any public conveyance and cause a public disturbance. The difference between disorderly conduct and disorderly intoxication is the element of intoxication. Officers need to document evidence of intoxication (slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, staggered gait).

Front 51

What are some common methods of entry used by burglars?

Back 51

Burglars may use several methods of entry, such as entering unlocked doors and windows using a hidden key, removing hinge pins, breaking glass, or kicking in the door. Other techniques include prying or spreading a door or window frame, slipping, pulling, or picking the lock, or using a bump key, garage door opener, or electronic decoder for keyless entries.

Front 52

Define burglary tools.

Back 52

May include screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, and pry bars, but can also be anything used to gain entry during a burglary such as a rock or concrete block.

Front 53

What are the proper procedures for responding to an archeological site violation?

Back 53

The officer responding to a call concerning a violation of an archeological site will need to assess the scene to determine if a crime was committed. If the officer believes a crime was committed, he or she should secure and protect the scene, notify a supervisor, and inform local, state, or federal park rangers of the incident and any recovered evidence. Helpful resources for officers include the FBI's National Stolen Art File (NSAF) and Listing of Outlaw Treachery (LOOT) which lists prosecuted cases of looting and vandalism of archeological resources. The Archeological Assistance Division of the National Park Service maintains this database.

Front 54

What distinguishes felony criminal mischief from misdemeanor mischief?

Back 54

If the value of the property damaged totals 1,000 or more, the crime is a third degree felony. If the offender has one or more prior convictions for criminal mischief a subsequent offense will be punished as a felony regardless of the amount of damage.

Front 55

What are the elements of defrauding an innkeeper?

Back 55

Ordering and eating a meal in an eating establishment or occupying a room in a public lodging and then refusing to pay is the crime of defrauding an innkeeper or theft of services by failure to pay.

Front 56

What other charges can arise from a situation involving the defrauding of an innkeeper?

Back 56

If the suspect resists the officer's reasonable efforts to recover property that office ro the operator believe was stolen, and the suspect is subsequently found guilty of theft of the property, he or she can be charged with resisting apprehension as well, unless the person didn't know the officer was in fact a law enforcement officer. The charge of theft and of resisting apprehension may be tried concurrently.

Front 57

What is the primary responsibility of an officer at the scene of a fire?

Back 57

The primary responsibility of an officer after the arrival of fire personnel is to assist the fire department at the Fire Marshal in their investigation and maintain crowd and traffic control.

Front 58

How should an officer respond to an incident involving a fire related crime?

Back 58

Securing the scene at a fire investigation is very important. Fire setting is sometimes used as a technique to distract law enforcement's attention away from the location of other crimes and is predominantly a juvenile crime. Local gang activity, organized crime, terrorist activity, and/or hate crimes often use firebombs to commit crimes.

Front 59

What are the sources of illicit drug traffic?

Back 59

There are many sources of illicit drugs in the US. Drugs are smuggled, diverted, and intercepted from legitimate sources; many drugs can be obtained from an elderly person's medicine cabinet. Illegal drugs are also manufactured and cultivated in clandestine laboratories and grow houses. Doctor shopping, stealing of prescription pads, or dealing in gray market drugs.

Front 60

What are some methods used for investigating vice activity?

Back 60

Vice investigations involve a lot of undercover work and develop intelligence through information gathering, both strategic and tactical, from informants and surveillance.

Front 61

What are the basic characteristics of organized crime operations?

Back 61

There are four basic characteristics of an organized crime operation. The organization has a specific structure, usually hierarchical or paramilitary. The organization has profit continuity; it has both criminal and legitimate businesses. The organization is monopolistic or is a provider of a product or service in a particular market, and rarely shares areas of crime or territory with each other or outside groups. The organization is also insulated, meaning the higher echelon personnel are relatively immune from liability for their criminal behavior. Organized crime usually associated with gambling, loan sharking, narcotics, prostitution, fencing, white collar crime, human trafficking, extortion, pornography, unions, corruption, number games, auto theft, drive by shootings, adult entertainment, and money laundering.

Front 62

What is the distinction between petit theft or misdemeanor and grand or felony theft?

Back 62

Petit theft is taking something valued at less than 300...the offense is a misdemeanor. However, third conviction for petit theft will be punished as third degree felony. Grand theft involves the theft fo anythign with a value of 300 or more and other items specified by statute regardless of their value. Theft of a will, codicil (amends a will, but doesn't replace), or other testamentary instrument, a firearm, motor vehicle, stop sign, or fire extinguisher is grand theft. Grand theft alsoincldues theft of any commercially farmed animal or fish, 2,000 or more individual pieces of fruit, items taken from a designated construction site, anhydrous ammonia.

Front 63

What are the NCIC/FCIC reporting requirements for stolen and/or recovered property?

Back 63

Information about serialized property that is reported stolen should be promptly provided to dispatch so it can be entered into FCIC/NCIC. This is particularly important for stolen vehicles and firearms. Officers should follow agency policy and procedures for FCIC/NCIC notification. The FCIC/NCIC system, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), and the Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID) are sources of information regarding stolen vehicles. When an officer recovers a stolen vehicle, he or she should promptly notify dispatch so the recovery can be reported to FCIC/NCIC as well as to the owner of the vehicle.

Front 64

What are the two aspects of forgery

Back 64

There are two aspects of forgery....forgery and uttering a false instrument.

Front 65

Define embezzlement.

Back 65

A person who wrongfully takes money or other property entrusted to them for safekeeping and uses it for his or her own personal gain. It is a misdemeanor or felony depending on the value of the property stolen.

Front 66

What is a way of continuing inquiries begun during the preliminary investigation?

Back 66

Conducting surveillance on a subject can continue the information gathering process begun during the preliminary investigation. A spot check is not time intensive and the officer can do it without drawing undue attention (should make only two passes by location). Officer could park vehicle some distance away and approach on foot in a covert manner. From concealed position conduct spot check. When involved in surveillance officer must not enter area in which person has reasonable expectation of privacy, such as the curtilage surrounding a residence.

Front 67

How should an officer determine the value and disposition of leads during a follow up investigation?

Back 67

The disposition of a lead is whether someon has contacted that lead and that the information obtained is useful to the investigation. Leads yielding information in support of probable cause for an arrest should be pursued first. The officer should know the boundaries of the investigation, as most agencies have limited resources.

Front 68

When canvassing what should an officer keep in mind in terms of safety?

Back 68

The officer needs to exercise caution during the canvass, as he or she may actually knock on the suspect's door. An officer needs to be aware of any animals that may be present and should consider the time of day when approaching the occupant, and, if warranted, apologize for the intrusion.

Front 69

What steps should an officer take to properly canvass an area?

Back 69

The officer should walk the perimeter of the crime scene to identify places where people may have been able to see or hear what happened, which houses have a clear view of the crime scene and which ones are within hearing distance. Officer should be prepared to conduct individual interviews at these residences or businesses. The officer shouldn't when contacting the individuals residing at these locations reveal the details of the crime (name, seriousness, or how the crime was committed). Should simply ask if they or anyone else saw or heard anything around the time the crime was committed. Officer should get occupants identifying information (full legal name, dates of birth, addresses, and telephone numbers) and thank them for their cooperation.

Front 70

Should a person's response to an officer during a canvassing be documented if they know nothing about the crime?

Back 70

The officer should document what witnesses were able to say about the crime; even if a person participating in a canvass report reports knowing nothing about the crime, it will be important if the person later claims to have been a witness.

Front 71

Define canvass.

Back 71

Is a door to door inquiry of all possible sources of information for a given area. This technique may require additional officers depending on the size of the area. Canvassing an area in proximity of the incident or crime scene may yield additional witnesses and possibly even new victims.

Front 72

What are the necessary steps that need to be taken when conducting a lineup?

Back 72

The State Attorney's office must be notified before any live lineup is conducted if the suspect has been arrested.
The officer will take a photograph or make a video recording of the lineup before or after each witness views the lineup. The officer will ask each witness to view the lineup and make an identification of the subject. He or she will record all comments the victim or witness makes during the lineup procedure and will include those comments in the lineup report. The lineup report then becomes evidence and admissible in court.

Front 73

What steps must be taken by an officer to properly conduct a photographic lineup?

Back 73

When preparing for a photographic lineup the officer must get a signed written statement from each victim or witness who will participate in the lineup, including a description of the subject, and explain the lineup process to the victim or witness. To participate in lineup witness must have personal knowledge of the crime (saw suspect clearly enough to identify suspect's features). Must have ability to discuss the matter accurately either directly or through an interpreter and clearly understand his or her duty to tell the truth. Witness should demonstrate competence, attentiveness, sound state of mind, and a lack of prejudice.

Front 74

Define field contact.

Back 74

A field contact is any person wiht whom an officer has contact with while on patrol, such as concerned citizens, anonymous callers, confidential informants, and other law enforcement officers.

Front 75

Define informants.

Back 75

Are persons who furnish police with information about crimes, either from a sense of civic duty or in the expectation of some personal benefit or advantage. Excluded from this category are victims of a crime who openly report a crime to the police. Such persons are complainants rather than informants.

Front 76

What steps should an officer take to prepare for giving testimony?

Back 76

To prepare for a court proceeding, such as a deposition, hearing, or a trial, an officer should focus on reports that he or she created and professional activity related to the case. If the role of the officer was the primary officer or investigator, he or she should construct a broad review of all reports, evidence, and information used towards making the decision to arrest and in support of the prosecution. The officer shoul obtain copies of all case reports for the court proceedings from the records section or bureau or from designated personnel in his or her agency. The officer should review the case file, including all supplemental reports and information on the evidence and chain of custody, and be prepared to answer questions on all relevant facts.

Front 77

Does an officer need to check in with prosecutors upon arrival at court?

Back 77

Checking in with the prosecuting attorney gives the officer and the state attorney final preparation time to address last minute concerns.

Front 78

Define "off the record".

Back 78

Refers to information not recorded in an official document. The officer's job is to provide accurate and complete testimony of the available facts not steer the case.