The crime scene technician must interview the first officer at the scene or the victim to ascertain the "theory" of the case. Basically what allegedly happened, what crime took place, and how was the crime committed. This information may not be factual information but it will give the crime scene technician a base from which to start. Examine the crime scene as the second step in the protocol. Examine the scene for what?
Braithwaite, supra, the Supreme Court held that reliability is the linchpin in determining the admissibility of identification testimony. The determination is to be made based on the totality of the circumstances as previously indicated in Stovall v. Denno, supra. The factors to be weighed against the corrupting effect of the suggestive procedure are as set forth in Neil v. Biggers, supra, summarized by the court in Manson to include: "...the opportunity of the witness to view the criminal at the time of the crime, the witness's degree of attention, the accuracy of his prior description of the criminal, the level or certainty demonstrated at the confrontation, and the time between the crime and confrontation." 432 U.S. 98, 114. Similar standards had previously been adopted by the Ohio Supreme Court in State v. Lathan (1972), 30 Ohio St. 2d
Identify the perpetrator or eliminate a suspect as the perpetrator. 6. Locate and apprehend the perpetrator. 7. Aid in the prosecution of the offender by providing evidence of guilt that is admissible in court.
Describe and Evaluate the use of Laboratory Experiments in Criminal Psychology (12 marks) Laboratory experiments are used in Criminal Psychology to isolate and observe the effect of one variable on others, thus establishing a cause and effect relationship. For example, if the presence of a weapon in a crime causes an eyewitness to focus on that rather than other factors of the crime. This may effect eyewitness reliability. The dependent variable can be strictly measured, providing quantitative data. For example, in Loftus experiments on eye witness testimony the participants were asked to say if there was broken glass present or not.
FSIs then start to work with the investigating officers. The FSI will find out what evidence they need to help the investigation. What you need to know before entering a crime scene. Initial responding officers are the individuals most susceptible to dangers within a crime scene. They are required to verify the nature of the incident, secure the crime scene, locate victim and/or
Crime Scene Investigation CRJ 320 Crime Scene Investigation One of the most important aspects of being trained in Law Enforcement is the ability to conduct a crime scene investigation. The ability to contain and not contaminate the crime scene while also gathering information is a daunting task for any individual. Taking steps to insure the scene is secure, wounded are cared for and that evidence remains intact are just a few of the necessary tasks. Attorney General Janet Reno once stated that “Actions taken in these first few hours of investigation at a crime scene can play a pivotal role in the resolution of a case. Careful, thorough investigation is key to ensuring+ the potential physical evidence is not tainted or destroyed or potential witnesses overlooked.
Victimology: A Study of Crime Victims 1 Victimology is an important element in the process of learning about crime victims, the needs of the victims, and even about the perpetrator of the crime. It identifies the victims, reveals their physical and mental state before and after the crime, their social interactions, and ideas as to why they were a victim. Victimology does not give the reasons why a particular person is chosen by an offender, however it will give general overview of victim selection (Petherick, “Victimology” 2010) The definitions of victimology vary in the use of words within the definition, such as victim, crime victim or behavior of crime victim. Victimology as an academic term containing two elements; the Latin word “victima” which translate into victim and the Greek word “logos” which means a system of knowledge (Dussich “Victimology ‘Past, Present and Future’”2000). In it’s simplest definition, victimology is the study of the victim or victims of a particular offender (Wallace & Roberson 2011: 3).
Holmes & Holmes (2009, p290) stated “To appraise a crime without some knowledge of the victim is certainly remiss.” The victim constitutes half of the crime therefore victimology should be heavily looked at in order to connect them to the offender (Douglas, Burgess, Burgess, & Ressler, 1992).Victimology is important to an investigation process in that, it is not just learning about the victim’s personal history and personality, but it also why the victim was chosen (Petherick, 2010). Holmes and Holmes (2009,p 291) created a list of elements which should be important to victim profiling it includes: "Physical traits, marital status, personal lifestyle, occupation, education, personal demographics, medical history, psychosexual history, court history, and last activities." A victim’s lifestyle, preferences, family, relationships, and routines, can give investigators clues about potential suspects who had access to the victim (Brown & Davenport, 2012). Other concepts that should be considered when victim profiling are the method of approach, method of attack and risk assessment (Turvey, 1999). Con, surprise, and blitz are three methods of approach that an offender will use to capture his victim.
1. Introduction Assessment is a complex & comprehensive process during which certain behavioural aspects, individual needs, and risks of the offender are identified, examined, verified, classified, analysed & evaluated. This assessment process is based on empirical literature, tested theories, relevant research findings & both personal judgment & experience related to the behaviour in question (Joubert, Hesselink & Marais 2003) Assessment cannot only be implemented for the planning of prevention & the intervention of treatment activities, but also for effective profiling as well as the prediction of criminal behaviour. 2. Definition of Key Concepts 2.1 Criminal Profiling ( Hard evidence profiling) According to Turvey 1999, the process of inferring distinctive personality characteristics of individuals responsible for committing criminal acts has been commonly referred to as ‘criminal profiling.’ These include biographic details of the perpetrator, crime-scene analysis, and so on.
Provide a critical response to the statement that “Criminology is the science of law- making, law- breaking, and law- enforcing” (Sherman, 2013:1) Lawrence Sherman defines criminology as the science of law- making, law- breaking, and law enforcing. This statement holds true to a large extent. A similar definition stressing both the theoretical and applied nature of a science of crime is the one formulated by Edwin H. Sutherland, according to which: “Criminology is the body of knowledge regarding crime as social phenomenon. It includes within its scope the process of making laws, of breaking laws, and of reacting toward the breaking of laws….the objectivity of criminology is the development of a body of general and verified principled and of other types of knowledge regarding this process of law, crime, and treatment or prevention” (The Florida State University, n.d.) Criminology should be more than law- making, law- breaking, and law enforcing. Criminological studies tend to be gender biased and focus largely on crimes of the powerless (street crimes).