FUNDAMENTALS OF INVESTIGATION - PRELIMS REVIEWER

A set of Question-and-Answer flashcards covering fundamentals of investigation, crime scene processing, evidence, identification, and undercover techniques from the provided notes.

What is the Fundamentals of Investigation?

The act or process of careful inquiry or research.

What is Crime?

An unlawful act that is punishable by the government, typically considered a serious violation of the law.

What is Motive in crime?

The reason or cause why a person or group will perpetrate a crime.

What is Opportunity in criminal activity?

Consists of acts of omission and/or commission by the victim that enables the crime.

What is Instrumentality?

The means or instrument used in the commission of the crime.

What is Criminal Investigation?

The collection of facts to identify the guilty party, locate the guilty party, and provide evidence of guilt.

Who is a Criminal Investigator?

A person charged with the duty of carrying on the objectives of criminal investigation.

What does the Golden Hour refer to in investigations?

The initial period after a crime is reported, especially in murder investigations, where time is of the essence (first 72 hours per notes).

What are the Six Cardinal Points of Investigation?

WHAT, WHO, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, HOW.

What is Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)?

Processes of recognition, search, collection, handling, preservation & documentation of physical evidence including witness identification/interviews and arrest of suspects.

What is a Crime Scene?

Location at which an offense was committed and potential evidence may exist.

What is Locard’s Theory/Locard’s Exchange Principle?

Every contact leaves a trace; cross-transfer of physical evidence occurs.

What is the Golden Rule of Criminal Investigation?

Never touch, move, alter or take anything at the crime scene until it has been photographed, measured, sketched and recorded.

What are the three components of CSI?

First Responder, Investigator-on-Case (IOC), and SOCO Team.

Who is the First Responder?

The first officer to arrive at the crime scene who saves lives, secures/preserves the scene, and conducts initial assessment/interviews.

What is a SOCO Team?

Scene of Crime Operatives; a forensic unit that manages crime scenes including securing, collecting, documenting, and analyzing evidence.

What is the role of the SOCO Team Leader?

Over-all supervisor in the conduct of SOCO, coordinates with the IOC and assumes control of the crime scene.

What does an Evidence Recorder/Collector do?

Forensic specialists who identify, collect, examine, and present evidence to the court.

What is the role of a Crime Scene Photographer?

Photograph the entire scene with overall, medium, and close-up coverage.

What is the role of a Crime Scene Sketcher?

Prepare all sketches necessary during crime scene processing and measure distances.

What is an Evidence Custodian?

Maintains custody and control of evidence.

What is a Rough Sketch?

A sketch prepared with actual measurements, scale, and north orientation.

What are the Tools of Investigation?

Information, Interview and Interrogation, Instrumentation.

What is Information in investigations?

Data gathered from victims, witnesses, suspects, records, and MO files.

What is an Interview?

A conversation with a purpose to obtain information about what was done, seen, felt, heard, smelled, etc.

What is Interrogation?

Rigid, skilled questioning of a suspect or person reluctant to disclose information pertinent to the crime.

What is the Golden Rule of Interviewing?

Never allow the interviewer to conduct nor let anyone conduct an interview without prior visit to the crime scene.

What is the Purpose of Interrogation in criminal investigations?

To find out facts and truth, obtain confession/admission, and collect information about the crime.

What is the PEACE Model in investigative interviewing?

Planning and Preparation; Engage and Explain; Account, Clarification and Challenge; Closure; Evaluation.

What is a Confession?

Direct acknowledgment of guilt arising from the commission of a crime.

What are the types of Confession?

Extrajudicial Confession (custodial investigation) and Judicial Confession (in open court).

What is an Admission?

A self-incriminatory statement short of an acknowledgement of guilt.

What is Physical Evidence?

Articles and materials found in connection with the investigation that aid in identifying the suspect.

What is Corpus Delicti?

The body of the crime or the essential elements of the crime.

What is Associative Evidence?

Evidence that links the suspect to the crime scene.

What is Modus Operandi?

The method or pattern of operation used by a criminal or syndicate.

What is Surveillance?

Secret observation of persons, places, and vehicles to obtain information about identities or activities.

Who is a Surveillant?

The person who maintains surveillance or performs the observation.

What is the Subject in surveillance terms?

The person or place being watched or surveyed.

What are the Objectives of Surveillance?

Detect criminal activities; identify frequent visitors; discern habits; obtain evidence or prevent crime.

What are Tailings (types of surveillance)?

Moving Surveillance (tail/shadow) and Fixed Surveillance (stake-out).

What is Cas ing (Casing)?

Reconnaissance or surveillance of a building/place to determine suitability or vulnerability for intelligence use.

What is Undercover Investigation?

Investigation where the investigator assumes a different/unofficial identity to obtain information.

What are types of cover in undercover work?

Natural Cover (using real identity), Artificial Cover (false documents).

What is Placement in undercover work?

Location of a prospective agent with respect to the target.

What is Access in undercover work?

Capability of an agent to obtain desired information or perform collection tasks.

What are Primary/Secondary/Outside Access in undercover work?

Primary Access is direct access; Secondary Access is through a principal source; Outside Access is via third party monitoring.

What is Control in undercover work?

Authority to direct the agent to perform tasks or gather information.

What are Positive and Negative Control in undercover operations?

Positive Control: professionalism and rapport; Negative Control: threats (disciplinary action, escrow account, blackmail).

What is Procurement in intelligence work?

Aggressive effort to acquire specific information that may not be readily available.

Who is an Agent in Place?

An agent recruited within a highly sensitive target by an intelligence service.

What is a Double Agent?

An enemy agent who is captured, turned, and sent back as an agent of the captors.

What is an Expendable Agent?

An agent who leaks false information to mislead the enemy.

What is a Penetration Agent?

An agent who reaches the enemy to obtain information and returns alive.

What is an Agent of Influence?

An agent who uses influence to gain information.

What is an Agent Provocation?

An agent who provokes the opponent to act in a way that reveals their purpose and identity.