Criminal Investigations Study Notes
Criminal Investigations
Chapter Overview
Chapter Title: Criminal Investigations
Author: Steven G. Brandl
Edition: 6th Edition, SAGE Publications, 2025
Objectives
Discuss the reliability and problems associated with eyewitness identifications.
Examine the various methods used to collect evidence related to eyewitness accounts.
Investigative Interviews
Definition: An investigative interview is any questioning that is intended to produce complete and accurate information about a particular crime or the person believed to be responsible for the crime.
Suspect Involvement: The individual being interviewed can become a suspect based on the information gathered.
Witness Classification:
Primary Witnesses: Individuals who have direct knowledge of the crime, having seen it occur or observed events immediately before or after it.
Secondary Witnesses: Individuals who possess information about related events before or after the crime but did not directly witness the crime itself.
Issues with Eyewitnesses
Case Study: Willie Pete Williams
A sexual assault victim was “120%” sure she identified the right attacker from a photo lineup.
He spent 22 years in jail of a 45-year sentence before DNA evidence exonerated him.
General Observations:
Eyewitness identification evidence is considered to be one of the least reliable types of evidence.
Despite its unreliability, eyewitness testimony is highly persuasive in establishing proof during legal proceedings.
False identifications can result in serious implications for justice and the defendants involved.
Eyewitness Roles and Methods of Identification
Roles of Eyewitnesses: Eyewitnesses can assist in various identification methods, including:
Providing information for creating a composite picture of the perpetrator.
Viewing a single confirmatory photograph.
Viewing mug shots for identification purposes.
Participating in a show-up situation, where a suspect is presented at the scene or brought to the witness for identification.
Engaging in photo lineups or photo arrays, which include photographs of the suspect alongside others.
Being part of a live lineup, where the suspect and others are viewed in person.
Eyewitness Considerations
Factors Affecting Sketch Quality:
The effectiveness of sketches is influenced by the interview of the witness.
The witness's ability to provide accurate details is crucial.
The skill level of the artist or technician drawing the sketch also plays a significant role.
Disadvantages of Eyewitness Identification:
Memory may be negatively influenced, leading to inaccurate identifications, especially in live scenarios.
Realistic representations do not always equate to accurate identifications.
The task can be difficult for witnesses, causing stress or confusion.
Inaccurate sketches can result in adverse outcomes for prosecutions and may create doubt in juror perceptions of the case.
Types of Identification
Confirmation Identification:
Shows a single photograph to the witness for confirmation of the known perpetrator’s identity.
Generally discouraged for identification purposes.
Mug Shots:
Witnesses view arrest booking photographs (mug shots) to identify a suspected perpetrator.
Show-up Identification:
Involves bringing a suspect back to the crime scene or bringing the witness to the suspect to confirm their identity as the perpetrator.
Photo Lineup:
Used when investigators suspect a specific individual may be the culprit, allowing witnesses to identify them among others.
Live Lineup:
Requires the witness to view the suspect alongside other individuals in a physical setting, such as a police station or jail.
Profiles of Notorious Criminals
Rodney Alcala "The Dating Game Killer"
Involved in numerous homicides; gained notoriety for his appearance on the television show "The Dating Game."
Joseph James DeAngelo - "Golden State Killer"
Responsible for a series of crimes across California; evaded capture for decades.
Dennis Rader - "BTK"
Infamous for his killing spree under the moniker
Chapter Overview - Chapter Title: Criminal Investigations - Author: Steven G. Brandl - Edition: 6th Edition, SAGE Publications, 2025 ### Objectives - Discuss the reliability and problems with eyewitness identifications. - Examine methods for collecting evidence related to eyewitness accounts. ### Investigative Interviews - Definition: Questioning aimed at obtaining accurate information about a crime or suspect. - Witness Classification: - Primary: Direct knowledge of the crime. - Secondary: Information about related events without direct witness. ### Issues with Eyewitnesses - Case Study: Willie Pete Williams, wrongfully convicted despite eyewitness certainty; exonerated by DNA after 22 years. - Observations: Eyewitness evidence is unreliable but persuasive, potentially leading to wrongful convictions. ### Types of Identification - Confirmation: Single photograph for identification; discouraged. - Mug Shots: Viewing arrest photos. - Show-up: Suspect shown at the crime scene. - Photo Lineup: Suspect presented among others. - Live Lineup: In-person viewing of suspect. ### Profiles of Notorious Criminals - Rodney Alcala: Homicides, known as
Chapter Overview - Chapter Title: Criminal Investigations - Author: Steven G. Brandl - Edition: 6th Edition, SAGE Publications, 2025
Objectives - Discuss the reliability and problems associated with eyewitness identifications. - Examine the various methods used to collect evidence related to eyewitness accounts.
Investigative Interviews - Definition: An investigative interview is any questioning that is intended to produce complete and accurate information about a particular crime or the person believed to be responsible for the crime. - Suspect Involvement: The individual being interviewed can become a suspect based on the information gathered. - Witness Classification:
Primary Witnesses: Individuals who have direct knowledge of the crime, having seen it occur or observed events immediately before or after it.
Secondary Witnesses: Individuals who possess information about related events before or after the crime but did not directly witness the crime itself.
Issues with Eyewitnesses - Case Study: Willie Pete Williams
A sexual assault victim was “120%” sure she identified the right attacker from a photo lineup.
He spent 22 years in jail of a 45-year sentence before DNA evidence exonerated him.
General Observations:
Eyewitness identification evidence is considered to be one of the least reliable types of evidence.
Despite its unreliability, eyewitness testimony is highly persuasive in establishing proof during legal proceedings.
False identifications can result in serious implications for justice and the defendants involved.
Eyewitness Roles and Methods of Identification - Roles of Eyewitnesses: Eyewitnesses can assist in various identification methods, including:
Providing information for creating a composite picture of the perpetrator.
Viewing a single confirmatory photograph.
Viewing mug shots for identification purposes.
Participating in a show-up situation, where a suspect is presented at the scene or brought to the witness for identification.
Engaging in photo lineups or photo arrays, which include photographs of the suspect alongside others.
Being part of a live lineup, where the suspect and others are viewed in person.
Eyewitness Considerations - Factors Affecting Sketch Quality:
The effectiveness of sketches is influenced by the interview of the witness.
The witness's ability to provide accurate details is crucial.
The skill level of the artist or technician drawing the sketch also plays a significant role.
Disadvantages of Eyewitness Identification:
Memory may be negatively influenced, leading to inaccurate identifications, especially in live scenarios.
Realistic representations do not always equate to accurate identifications.
The task can be difficult for witnesses, causing stress or confusion.
Inaccurate sketches can result in adverse outcomes for prosecutions and may create doubt in juror perceptions of the case.
Types of Identification - Confirmation Identification:
Shows a single photograph to the witness for confirmation of the known perpetrator’s identity.
Generally discouraged for identification purposes.
Mug Shots:
Witnesses view arrest booking photographs (mug shots) to identify a suspected perpetrator.
Show-up Identification:
Involves bringing a suspect back to the crime scene or bringing the witness to the suspect to confirm their identity as the perpetrator.
Photo Lineup:
Used when investigators suspect a specific individual may be the culprit, allowing witnesses to identify them among others.
Live Lineup:
Requires the witness to view the suspect alongside other individuals in a physical setting, such as a police station or jail.
Profiles of Notorious Criminals - Rodney Alcala "The Dating Game Killer": Involved in numerous homicides; gained notoriety for his appearance on the television show "The Dating Game."
Joseph James DeAngelo - "Golden State Killer": Responsible for a series of crimes across California; evaded capture for decades.
Dennis Rader - "BTK": Infamous for his killing spree under the moniker.