Criminal Investigation : The Art and the Science

This book presents crime detection as a dynamic field relying heavily on the past experiences of investigators as well as recent practical and technological innovations. It explores the many external variables that can influence the investigator's success and the specific methods of crime detection and prosecution of law available today. The book also presents, in a logical flow, the steps and considerations observed in an actual criminal investigation.A six-part organization covers the fundamentals of criminal investigation, the investigation process, interpersonal violence, property crimes, vice crimes and related offenses, and prosecution.For anyone interested in thinking like a detective, and understanding the who, what, whyand more, behind a crime scene investigation.

Criminal investigation represents a timeless and dynamic field of scientific study. This book, now in its fourth edition, was written with the perception that crime detection is a field that relies heavily on the past experiences of investigators as well as recent practical and technological innovations. The investigator's success in crime detection can be influenced by several external variables. For example, increased pressures by public interest groups and courts of law have caused police supervisors to place greater emphasis on case management and officer accountability. In addition, because of increased social problems associated with drug abuse, criminal violence, and related gang activity, the public spotlight has focused more than ever before on methods of crime detection and successful prosecution of lawbreakers. Finally, because of the rising incidence of mass and serial murders in the last decade, more people are realizing the importance of a thoroughly investigated case and the reasons behind the occurrence of such crimes.This book is intended to meet the needs of students and others interested in criminal justice by presenting information in a logical flow, paralleling the steps and considerations observed in an actual criminal investigation. Additionally, it is designed to fulfill an ongoing need for a book that explains clearly and thoughtfully the fundamentals of criminal investigation as practiced by police officers on the job.The book is written with several observations in mind. First, as its title indicates, it is designed to blend scientific theories of crime detection with a practical approach to criminal investigation. It has been drafted on the assumption that sound criminal investigations depend on an understanding of the science of crime detection procedures and the art of anticipating human behavior. There is yet another critical observation made in the book: It recognizes that both the uniformed officer and the criminal investigator play important roles in the field of criminal investigation. The duties of each are outlined throughout the book, recognizing that there is a fundamental need for both to work in tandem throughout many aspects of the criminal investigation process.One underlying theme of the book is that as with all police endeavors, criminal investigation is a law enforcement responsibility that must be conducted within the framework of the U.S. Constitution and the practices of a democratic society. Consequently, court decisions and case studies have been quoted extensively for clarification of issues and general reader information.In summary, I am hopeful that this book will prove to be an engaging textbook that is descriptive of the duties of modern-day crime detection and police professionalism. For more efficient use, this book has been designed to follow closely standard curriculum format. Accordingly, each chapter ends with key terms, discussion questions, and a class project to aid in the instructional process. Michael D. Lyman