Unit 2. Question 3: What are the similarities and differences between the investigation of criminal homicides and the investigation of criminal assaults?
Homicides and criminal assaults although different by definition, contain many fundamental similarities particularly in regards to the circumstances leading upto the crimes and the process in which they are investigated. A homicide, or murder, is defined as the illegal killing of a person by another person. A criminal assault is described as “ an unlawful attempt, coupled with the present ability, to commit an injury on another person” (Lushbaugh, 2012 p. 171). In both cases there is a willful act of violence; however homicides always result in death while assaults do not. Some aggravated assaults …show more content…
Immediately upon entry to the crime scene, the investigation begins by securing the location, identifying any potential witnesses and perusing the crime scene. The investigators must also ensure that the crime scene is not disrupted or contaminated until physical evidence has been accounted for and processed. Investigators will then interview any witnesses and ascertain possible whereabouts of the suspect.
Following the crime scene phase are the postscene and lead development phases. The postscene phase of the investigation deals mostly with the time and cause of death as well as witness accounts of the victim prior to the incident. Once this information is obtained, the investigator can work on leads and crime theories. When developing leads, the investigator delves into the background of the victim and attempts to establish the relationship, motive, and opportunity of the perpetrator. Ideally this results in the identification and arrest of the suspect or suspects and a case is prepared for
Homicides and criminal assaults although different by definition, contain many fundamental similarities particularly in regards to the circumstances leading upto the crimes and the process in which they are investigated. A homicide, or murder, is defined as the illegal killing of a person by another person. A criminal assault is described as “ an unlawful attempt, coupled with the present ability, to commit an injury on another person” (Lushbaugh, 2012 p. 171). In both cases there is a willful act of violence; however homicides always result in death while assaults do not. Some aggravated assaults …show more content…
Immediately upon entry to the crime scene, the investigation begins by securing the location, identifying any potential witnesses and perusing the crime scene. The investigators must also ensure that the crime scene is not disrupted or contaminated until physical evidence has been accounted for and processed. Investigators will then interview any witnesses and ascertain possible whereabouts of the suspect.
Following the crime scene phase are the postscene and lead development phases. The postscene phase of the investigation deals mostly with the time and cause of death as well as witness accounts of the victim prior to the incident. Once this information is obtained, the investigator can work on leads and crime theories. When developing leads, the investigator delves into the background of the victim and attempts to establish the relationship, motive, and opportunity of the perpetrator. Ideally this results in the identification and arrest of the suspect or suspects and a case is prepared for