Designed to help readers discover both the art and science of criminal investigation, this book explores the legal significance of evidence in the field, outlines the fundamentals of inquiry, and then carefully details each element of investigation?from the preliminaries to case preparation for prosecutor review. Reflecting the most recent changes in techniques and their application to various crimes, it features real-life case studies that give readers practice in developing their abilities to analyze, evaluate, and reason. Ethical Awareness. The Crime Scene. Witnesses and Evidence. Recording the Crime Scene. Basic Investigative Leads and Informants. Major Investigative Techniques. Laboratory and Technical Services. Interrogation of Suspects. Arresting the Accused Person. Physical Assaults. Sexual Assaults. Robbery. Arson, Bombing and Hate Crimes. Property Crimes. Dangerous Drugs, Vice/Gambling, and Organized Crimes. The Investigator as a Witness. For those involved in criminal investigations.
Together, the authors of Criminal Investigation: Basic Perspectives have in excess of fifty years of law enforcement experience with a variety of agencies such as the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Marshal's Service, the Sacramento Sheriff's Department, and the New York Police Department. From this perspective the authors have written a well-balanced, comprehensive text on criminal investigation. This ninth edition has been reformatted and updated and includes all new sections.
Offender registration has been added to the discussion on basic investigative leads. DNA fingerprinting has been rewritten to reflect the current developments in DNA analysis. Media relations has been added to the chapter on crime scene management. Mass and serial murderers are now part of the discussion on physical assaults. Personality profiles of sexual offenders is now included as part of the chapter on sexual assaults. Vice and gambling has been added to a new chapter titled "A Trio of Crimes Without Victims–Dangerous Drugs, Vice, Gambling, and Organized Crime." New sections on computer crime and hit and run investigations have been included in a new chapter titled "For Other Authorities." "The Investigator as a Witness" has been added as the final chapter.
In addition, new case studies have been added to this edition, which are designed to highlight the chapter content and enhance the learning process. Criminal Investigation: Basic Perspectives, Ninth Edition is a resource that will prepare students for the challenging world of criminal investigation.