Understanding Criminal Investigation

by Stephen Tong (Canterbury Christ Church University); Robin P. Bryant (Canterbury Christ Church University); Miranda A. H. Horvath (Forensic Psychological Services, Middlesex University )

• ISBN13: 9780470682371
• ISBN10: 047068237X
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2009-08-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

This comprehensive volume deciphers investigative process and practice, providing an authoritative insight into key debates and contemporary issues in crime investigations Provides critical examination of investigative practice by focusing on the key issues and debates underpinned by academic literature on crime investigation Outlines the theoretical explanations that provide an understanding of crime investigation and the context in which investigators operate Illustrates the practical relevance of theoretical contributions to crime investigation Places clear emphasis on the multi-disciplinary nature of crime investigation

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction: A brief history of criminal investigation

The Detective Story

Detective Work: Art, craft, or science?

Overview of the Book

Theories of criminal investigation

Introduction

The development of theory

Studying what works

Cultural borrowing

Synthesised models of investigation

Investigative models in practice

'ACCESS' and 'SARA'

ACPO Murder Investigation Manual

ACPO Investigation of Volume Crime Manual

ACPO Core Investigative Doctorine

Training and Education

IPLDP

ICIDP

IMSC and SIODP

Summary

Forms of reasoning and the analysis of intelligence in criminal investigation

Introduction

Investigative theory

Forms of reasoning

Inductive and 'commonsense' reasoning

Deductive reasoning and argumentation

'Inductive v. Deductive'

Abductive reasoning and hypothesis testing

The nature of chance

Coincidence and the nature of randomness

More general forms of bias and fallacy

The detective's 'nose': the place of intuition in investigation

Summary

Geographical and offender profiling

Introduction

What is the purpose of profiling?

Profiling assumptions

Approaches to Offender Profiling

Inductive profiling

Deductive profiling

Crime Scene Analysis

Criticisms of Crime Scene Analysis

Investigative Psychology

Criticisms of Investigative Psychology

Diagnostic Evaluation

Criticisms of Diagnostic Evaluation

Geographical Profiling

Criticisms of Geographical Profiling

The profiling process

Typical components of profiles

Who are profilers and what do they do?

Summary

Eyewitness testimony

Introduction

The status of eyewitness evidence and procedure in England and Wales

Estimator and system variables

Estimator variables

Witness factors

Stress

Suspect characteristics

Event characteristics

System variables

Presentation bias

Line up instruction bias

Foil and clothing bias

Children/Young people

Investigator bias

The relationship between confidence and accuracy

Vulnerable witnesses

Older adults

Learning disabilities and mental health problems

Emerging areas of research and development

Summary

Investigative interviewing

Introduction

A Legacy of problems

Police and Criminal Evidence Act

PEACE interview training

Right to silence

Interviewer strategies

Future directions

Assessing performance: quantity or quality?

Introduction

Measuring crime

Police recorded crime figures

British Crime Survey (BCS)

Measuring investigative performance: Process, output and outcome

Defining efficiency and effectiveness

Detection rates

Performance indicators

Critique of traditional measures of effectiveness

Impact of other agencies

Investigative practices that are ignored

Impact of performance measurement on motivational Factors

Dangers of performance criteria

Political context

Organisational context

Summary

Crime investigation in context

Introduction

'Proof' or 'Truth': Challenge sin criminal investigation

Detective craft

Investigating sexual offences

Factors influencing response to rape victims

New developments

Conclusion

Professionalising investigation

Introduction

Defining profession

Police training

Detective training

Distinction between police training and education

Approaches to learning

Work place learning

Mentoring

Pedagogical approaches

Andragogical approaches

Detective practice: Summary of the literature

Investigative reasoning

Summary

Conclusion: challenges in crime investigation

Bibliography

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