Goal #2 Objective A


Objective A:
Without the use of the course text or class notes, the student will identify the important concepts in the definition of criminal investigations.
In Goal #1, criminal investigation was defined as:

The systematic collection of information for identifying, apprehending, and convicting suspected offenders.

There are two important concepts in this definition.


The term "systematic" means -
Methodical in procedure or plan.

This means that before an investigation begins, we have a procedure or plan to follow.

For Example:
Before pilots fly an aircraft, what do they do?

They go through a checklist, right?

Why do they do this? Couldn't they do the same functions from memory without following a detailed checklist?

They could, but they might miss small details.

What happens if a pilot misses a small detail that relates to the ability of the aircraft to remain in flight?

The safety of the pilot, passengers and aircraft is impacted.

The same can be said for criminal investigations.

If the investigator misses steps or details in the investigative process, then important information or evidence could be missed or improperly handed. Anyone who watched the O.J. Simpson trial on television can surely understand the importance of adhering to established procedures and plans.

Therefore, for the rest of this course we are going to be building a "system" that we can use when conducting criminal investigations. The system should be comprehensive enough to assist you in most of the investigative activities in which you may be engaged.

You will not use every part of the system in every investigation, but you should have investigative methods to adapt to most situations you will encounter.

The second important concept in the definition of criminal investigation was "collection of information."

The success of an investigation is totally dependent on the ability of the investigator to locate and properly obtain the information necessary to secure a conviction of the person responsible for the crime.

The information an investigator will use in court is "evidence."

What is evidence?

evidence -
Anything that supports proof.
Special Investigations Technician, CDC 82170, Vol. 2 Fundamentals of Investigations, Part 1, ECI University

Proof is the conclusion drawn by a court based upon the evidence placed before it.

Evidence can be tangible (such as a murder weapon, drugs or documents) or intangible (such as testimony).

There are three general categories of evidence


direct -
Facts that in themselves tend to prove an issue. Evidence that directly prove a fact without the need to draw inferences.

Examples of direct evidence


indirect -
Evidence which alone does not prove an issue, but when taken together with other facts, may prove an issue. Indirect evidence is also known as circumstantial evidence. Indirect evidence required the judge or jury to make inferences and draw conclusions.

Examples of indirect evidence:


real -
A physical item of evidence that directly illustrates a fact.

Examples of real evidence:


It can then be stated that evidence is used to establish proof in court. Therefore, the investigator must have a procedure or plan to locate sources of information which can be used as evidence.

The identification of evidence sources is vitally important to the investigative process.

Continue to Goal #2 - Objective B.
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