Crime Investigation Principles Notes

Characteristics of Millennial Learners

  • Learning Preferences:

    • Visual Learning: Prefer graphics and videos over text.

    • Experiential Learning: Favor hands-on activities to conceptual learning.

  • Technology Use:

    • Constant connectivity with peers and information sources.

  • Attention Span:

    • Shorter attention spans compared to previous generations.

  • Engagement in Learning:

    • Need interactive, engaging classes to maintain attention (Oblinger and Oblinger, 2005).

Learning Outcomes

  • Students should be able to:

    • Define crime and its implications.

    • Understand crime investigation processes.

    • Identify various types of investigators.

    • Recognize traits essential for effective investigators.

    • Examine sources utilized in crime investigations.

    • Evaluate different categories of crimes.

Concepts and Definitions

  • Crime:

    • Acts or omissions that violate the law and can be prosecuted by the state.

  • Classification of Crimes:

    • Minor: Shoplifting, pickpocketing, etc.

    • Moderate: Theft, GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm), etc.

    • Serious: Murder, robbery, etc.

  • Other Jurisdictional Terms:

    • Misdemeanor and Felony (definitions may vary).

Crime Investigation

  • Definition:

    • A systematic search for facts regarding a crime, involving evidence collection, processing, and reconstruction.

  • Investigative Process:

    • Involves identifying, marking, gathering, cataloging, packaging, and analyzing evidence.

  • Arresting Suspects:

    • Includes interviewing, charging, and possibly discharging suspects.

Investigator Traits

  • Effective investigators possess:

    • Critical thinking and independent reasoning.

    • Good observational skills.

    • Organizational and legal knowledge.

Investigator's Powers

  • Derived from:

    • Police Act (Act 19 of 1990): empowers police investigations based on specific sections.

    • Criminal Procedure Act (CPA, Act 51 of 1977): details police powers in criminal investigations.

    • Constitutional Articles: various constitutional provisions outline investigators' authority.

    • Private Investigators: lack police powers, operate under legal limitations.

Functions of Investigators

  • General Responsibilities:

    • Investigate crimes and gather forensic evidence.

    • Conduct interviews and maintain records.

    • Collect and package evidence meticulously.

  • Additional Duties:

    • Perform surveillance, file paperwork, and analyze findings.

Investigation Designs

  • Types of Designs:

    1. Causal Design: Establishes relationships between cause and effects.

    2. Sequential Design: Completes one stage at a time to cover details effectively.

    3. Observational Design: Utilizes direct and unobtrusive observation methods.

    4. Historical Design: Focuses on evidence from the past using various sources.

    5. Longitudinal Design: Observes crime patterns over time.

    6. Meta-Analysis Design: Evaluates multiple crime scenes for comprehensive insights.

    7. Philosophical Design: Investigates underlying assumptions relating to crime theories.

    8. Case Study Design: In-depth analysis of specific crimes to understand broader phenomena.

Crime Investigation Theories

  1. Inductive Reasoning:

    • Starts from specific observations to form general conclusions.

  2. Deductive Reasoning:

    • Begins with general theories to draw specific conclusions.

  3. Points to Prove:

    • Focus on evidence that supports one narrative, ignoring exculpatory evidence.

  4. Seeking the Truth:

    • Impartially pursuing all evidence to establish factual accuracy.

  5. Transfer Theory (Lockard's Exchange):

    • Crime scene interaction leads to evidence exchange (e.g., DNA, fingerprints, etc.).