The Investigative Process. Detective Commander Daniel J. Buenz

Transcription

1 The Investigative Process Detective Commander Daniel J. Buenz

2 Elmhurst police department detective division 6 general assignment Detectives. 3 School Resource Officers. 1 Detective assigned to DuPage Metropolitan Enforcement Group (DUMEG). 1 Investigative Assistant / Intelligence and Crime Analyst. 1 civilian Evidence Technician / Property Custodian. 1 part-time Background Investigator.

3 INVESTIGATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES Death Investigations Violent Crimes Sex Offenses Residential / Commercial Burglary Financial Fraud / Computer Crimes Auto Theft / Burglary to Motor Vehicle Vice Intelligence / Narcotics Quality of Life Investigations Theft, Criminal Damage, TX Harassment, ID theft...

4 division Specialties Licensed polygraph examiner Extensive training in Interview and Interrogation Statement Analysis Certified juvenile officers Sexual Assault Response Team (S.A.R.T.) Crime analysis and linkage capabilities

5 Specialties (Cont.) Extensive informational databases Covert surveillance equipment Certified Overhear Examiners Certified Forensic Computer Examiners Hostage negotiators ERT team members DuPage Major Crimes Task Force

6 Technological Advancements Automated Fingerprint I.D. System (AFIS) DNA Comparison Facial Recognition Covert surveillance equipment GPS Systems (Including Cell TX technology) E-FIT (Cognitive interview) Forensic Advances (Medicolegal and Evidential) Criminal Personality Profiling

7 Criminal investigations Identify the guilty Eliminate the innocent suspect from further scrutiny Are, more than ever, Regional and National Solve reported, unreported and undetected crimes (and cold cases) Instill confidence in the Citizens we serve

8 What are criminal investigations? Identification of the offender(s) after the fact Accomplished via inductive and deductive process Are a blend of Art and Science Can be long, or short term; Reactive or Proactive Utilize a specialized branch of science germane to the field of criminal justice forensics CSI Effect on Law Enforcement and the Courts

9 Case assignment Elmhurst Police Department detectives conduct approximately 700 investigations annually. Criminal, Background (personnel, Liquor license ) Asset Forfeiture Cases are assigned utilizing solvability factors. Suspects? Witnesses? Evidence? Crime pattern?

10 Case assignment Solvability rates of crimes vary Homicides and financial crime have higher clearance rates, Burglary has lower rates, etc. Community Oriented Police Unit partners Case Assignment criteria systems The Elmhurst approach

11 How are crimes linked? By area, offense, victim group, offender group, time, modus operandi (method of operation), significant suspect signature. Phrases used Method of entry Items taken Weapons used Linkage Blindness?

12 CRIME SCENE Where did the crime occur? Is there more than one crime scene? Scene integrity is crucial!!! Evidence overlooked, contaminated, or compromised is lost Forever Scientific and technological developments have proved invaluable to law enforcement Ongoing or Cold Case Investigations

13 Initial phase Thorough review of the reports submitted by patrol officers Immediate attention to the case trails grow cold Possibly a visual inspection of the crime scene. Search of databases and sources of information for similar incidents (Daily Intel reports, LEADS, MOCIC RissNet, Critical Reach, etc.) Attempt to develop a suspect: Motive, Means, Opportunity The Crucial Art/Science of Interviewing

14 Basic assumptions Offenders and victims of homicide are in some way. (Related) Most residential burglaries occur during the hours. (Daytime) People, including criminals, are of. (Creatures / Habit) Most people who witness crimes are to become involved. (Reluctant) Most eye witness accounts will. (Differ)

15 Building the case Linking the suspect to the crime. Accomplished through: Admissions. Physical Evidence. Direct Evidence. Circumstantial Evidence. PEOPLE, EVIDENCE, RECORDS To successfully prosecute a case there must be (Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt)

16 Successful case preparation CREATIVITY outside the box thinking Meticulous documentation Ability to separate relevant from extraneous information Time management / multi-tasking abilities Interviewing / interrogation skills Legal knowledge

17 THE INVESTIGATION You may very well know who committed a crime however, proving it is another matter May require surveillance and / or undercover operations Overhear and wiretap orders Search warrants and Grand Jury subpoenas. Examination of records Financial, phone, letters, journals, electronic communications

18 Eyewitness Identification The on Scene Show Up No witness warnings The Photo Line Up Photo Spread or Array Witness warnings given The Sequential Line Up Witness warnings given Double blind procedure

19 Solving the case Most cases are solved through an accumulative process of facts, circumstances and evidence Public involvement is critical in the investigative process No information is insignificant Fresh information is better than stale information

20 Case dispositions Cleared by arrest Adult or Juvenile Exceptionally cleared Open / Inactive Denied Prosecution Referred to other jurisdiction Administratively closed