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