Criminal Investigations - Mini Quizzes

vestigarre

Latin term meaning 'to trace' or 'track'.

DEDUCTIVE reasoning

The legal process in which a conclusion follows from specific facts.

modus operandi

Details of how, when, & where a criminal usually operates.

Logical process of investigation

Includes obtaining physical evidence and interviewing witnesses.

Fact

An action, event, circumstance, or actual thing done.

Inference

Process of reasoning by which a fact may be deduced.

First on scene

The major responsibility for securing the crime scene.

res gestae

Spontaneous statements said by a suspect at the time of a crime concerning and closely related to actions involved.

Preserving scene

The immediate concern at a death scene.

Crime mapping

Focuses on hot spots and where crimes occur.

Photograph disadvantage

Photographs do not show actual distances.

Body worn cameras

Type of camera that may cause privacy concerns.

Photos should be taken

Before anything is disturbed.

Admissible photos must be

Material.

Sketch direction

The top of a sketch should be oriented to the North.

Disadvantage of photographs

They do not show actual distances.

Crime scene photographs

Effective visual aids.

First responders spend time

Driving around patrolling zones.

Citizen online report writing

Appropriate for discovery crimes.

Investigative report reader

The judge is most likely to read an investigative report.

Common problem with police reports

Misspelled words.

Disposition of the case

Stated in the final paragraph of the report.

First person in reports

Officers should write reports in the first person.

Due process disclosure

Exculpatory information must be determined and made by the prosecutor.

First-person statement example

'I made the arrest'.

Benefit of a well-written report

It can reduce legal liability for the officer and the department.

Police jargon in reports

Officers should not use police jargon in their reports.

Fourth Amendment

Forbids unreasonable searches and seizures.

Legal search

A search that is incident to a lawful arrest.

Search warrant items

A judge may issue a search warrant for stolen or embezzled property.

Search limit with warrant

Only the specific room in the house may be searched.

Limitation on searches

Must be narrow in scope.