Criminal Investigation This Analysis Covers Different Questions

Criminal Investigation

This analysis covers different questions on investigative practices and methods. It gives explanation to every question and at the same time gives example of how every question makes sense in practical application. The discussion will mainly dwell on the element of investigation in Criminal Investigation.

We have different methods of inquiry; examples at their most basic level are interviews and interrogations, while on a specific level on a crime scene it involves canvassing as well. Canvassing entails passing through the neighborhood always door to door with intention of getting witnesses who could be able to provide investigators with information on whatever they saw at the crime scene. Interviews tend to be non-custodial, and are the most common methods used to collect information from victims of crime and witnesses. The method of interrogation tends to be custodial because they are always carried out on individuals who are already arrested as the suspect who might have been involved in the crime.

It is essential for an investigator to be sober- minded, inquisitive and physically capable of carrying out his duty of gathering and analyzing evidence. They are supposed to posses a sense of fidelity, making sure that they do their job with honesty, for they are not supposed to interfere with evidence and be subject to perjury, Stanton G (2003). A character of bravery is required from them when they are on duty. The investigators are also required to do regular exercises on a regular basis so that they maintain their physical health and be able to carry out their work. This though doesn't mean they have to unnecessarily overwork themselves and get a burnout, they are required to relax so that they are not overcome by any stress at work. Thorough knowledge of criminal justice system is very necessary, as well as branches of criminal justice system with their entire interrelationship with other sectors. They are supposed to display natural integrity as well as propensity to work for the benefit of society only.

The meaning of scientific methods is to analyze evidence carefully, to examine a case from all angles, not to stop investigation till every angle are looked into as well as not giving opportunity for personal emotions to cloud their minds with bias, Kind S, Overman M (1972). Their application on job is that after arriving to the crime scene, they are supposed to scan the area which are around the scene for clues this is because there can be footprint around the crime area. They will not only cover up to the yellow tape but even look for trace evidence outside the tape which can be used to provide DNA evidence, these could be trace of blood, skin cell and many others. In a nut shell, there is gathering of data, then followed by developing hypothesis on how the crime was committed, the hypothesis is the tested and then the investigator is to zero in on the suspect following repeated experimentation.

We have three primary sources of the information investigator. They include people, physical evidence and records. The people investigator tend to search for information by involving witnesses for interviews, suspect for interrogation and even victims for interviews. There is possibility of an interview becoming interrogation for example when a witness turns to be hostile which makes investigator have believe that they may be suspects. In some cases like rape case, the victims are supposed to be shown total courtesy by the investigators and they need to understand the sexual jargon that they are speaking with.

In terms of physical evidence, an investigator is to use information such as firearm evidence, fingerprints, DNA evidence, breaking and entry evidence at the point of access, biological evidence like whatever has been analyzed by Forensic Pathologist and many others, Joe Nickell and John F. Fischer (1999). For example, the investigator will have to preserve the entire evidences carefully at the crime scene so that there should be no contamination and degradation during their way to the lab for further analysis as well as when they are on their way to the trials to the courtroom.

Records or documentary evidence entails records of identifications like driver's license, social security card, passports, and letters of correspondence, bank statements, press releases, receipts and many others. For instance, an investigator is going to check such documents soberly while taking into account any wrinkles, tears or erasures that make any potion to be unreadable. In any case there is such case then they will transmit the records to a graphologist lab for further analysis.