Chapter 1 Chapter Summary Summary

Wrobleski/Hess – Introduction to Law Enforcement 8th Edition

Chapter 7 Specialized Roles of Police Chapter Summary A large part of an investigator’s role centers around objectively obtaining and presenting information and evidence. Investigative responsibilities include securing the crime scene; recording all facts related to the case; photographing, measuring and sketching the crime scene; obtaining and identifying evidence; interviewing witnesses and interrogating suspects; and assisting in identifying suspects. Investigators must obtain answers to the questions: Who? What? Where? When? How? and Why? Usually they must obtain both photographs and sketches because although photographs include all details and can show items close up, sketches can be selective and can show much larger areas. A primary responsibility of investigators is to recognize, collect, mark, preserve and transport physical evidence in sufficient quantity for analysis and without contamination. DNA profiling uses the material from which chromosomes are made to positively identify individuals. No two individuals, except identical twins, have the same DNA structure. If officers do not witness a crime, eyewitness identification plays an important part in the arrest, as well as in the trial proceedings. The three basic types of identification are field identification, photographic identification and lineup identification. Most large departments have an intelligence division whose top officer reports directly to the chief and whose activities are kept secret from the rest of the department. Intelligence officers may be undercover officers investigating crime or internal affairs officers investigating officers within the department. Because juveniles commit a disproportionate number of local crimes, all officers are juvenile officers much of the time. Larger departments often have several types of specialized officers. Vice officers usually concentrate their efforts on illegal gambling, prostitution, pornography, narcotics and liquor violations. SWAT officers are immediately available, flexible and mobile, deployed during critical incidents. K-9s have been used to detect concealed suspects, drugs, weapons and explosives; find evidence discarded by fleeing suspects; control crowds and break up fights; recover lost articles; and locate distressed persons and dead bodies. K-9s may be specifically trained in search, attack and capture, drug detection, bomb detection and crime deterrence.