What Are the Methods of Inquiry and How Are They Used in Criminal Investigation?

What are the methods of inquiry and how are they used in criminal investigation? The method of inquiry is based on gathering observable, empirical and measureable evidence. Basically, methods of inquiry are ways that an investigator gathers the information for the case that they are investigating. Methods of inquiry are used in criminal investigation by collecting evidence, statement collection, and going through electronic databases and even the internet. The methods of inquiry are all used in conjunction to reconstruct the crime scene.

The methods are also used by utilizing the five W’s, who, what, when, where, and why, and also how. There are three methods of inquiry that are used in an investigation and those are authority method, tenacity method, and intuition. For example of a method of inquiry, is when an investigator is collecting the statements from either the victims or witnesses. The investigator will take all the information and evidence that is collected, compile it all together and come up with the reconstruction of the crime that was committed.

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What is the optimal mindset of an investigator and how are the concepts associated with the optimal mindset of an investigator manifest? The optimal mindset of an investigator is one that is able to look for the motive of the crime that is at hand and able to investigate all the possibilities of even the most obvious evidence that has been gathered. In my own opinion, I think that an optimal mindset is where the investigator can process all the evidence at hand, in their mind and come up with a conclusion of what occurred.

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Also I believe that the mindset is one that can be taught through training and experience.

What is the scientific method and how is it applied to criminal investigation by criminal investigators? Scientific method is defined by the World English Dictionary as “a method of investigation in which a problem is first identified and observations, experiments, or other relevant data are then used to construct or test hypotheses that purport to solve it” cited from http://dictonary.reference.com/browse/scientific+method. In my opinion, the investigators must apply the scientific method in every one of the investigations that they do.

The investigators must take all the information into their minds and ask themselves what happened, how did it happen, and why did this crime happen. Once the investigator comes up with the answers then will conduct experiments to see if their idea was the ultimate conclusion of what happened. So for an example, the investigator can say, this is a murder, the person was stabbed, and the motive was this person was caught having an affair. After the investigator comes up with his hypotheses he/she will then test it, if the evidence does not support his/her theory then he would start over on figuring out what, why and how it all occurred.

Discuss the three primary sources of information for criminal investigators and provide detailed practical examples of each source listed. The three primary sources of information are Physical Evidence and Scientific Examinations, Documentation, and information form people. Each source is valuable to an investigation in its own way. Physical evidence/scientific examinations is the evidence found at the scene of the crime. This can include clothing, blood, fingerprints, weapons and much more. An example of physical evidence could be any listed above but also a bloody knife or a casing from a bullet. Documentation can be found in logs, records, and electronic data that could be found at the crime scene.

The investigator may also have to go to certain agencies to get the documentation, although if the investigator does this they must know what that agency is able to provide. For example, the investigator could call a phone company and get the recent call log for the victims phone and find out who they have called in the past so many hours, or even go on the victims personal computer and see where they have been on the internet. Information from people could come from witnesses and or victims, libraries, informants, and even reporters. The investigators while interviewing individuals and will gather more information from them that will help reconstruct the crime scene. The investigators will also have to make sure that all the information that they receive from any of these individuals are correct and not trying to gain something for themselves.

Criminal Investigations

1.The methods of inquiry is divided into 2 distinct categories. One category is archeologist, historian, journalist, epidemiologist, and criminal investigator. The second category is scientist in general including artist. Fusing these categories together allows the reconstruction of the past. Methods of inquiry use techniques common to both science and art. During an investigation is it important to figure out what took place before the crime was committed to give the police a better understanding of where it took place, why it took place, how it took place and all the events that lead up to the crime.

Osterburg, J. W. & Ward, R. H. (2010). Criminal investigation, A method for reconstructing the past (6th ed.)

2.The optimal mindset of an investigator should be open minded and investigative. It is manifested by going into a scene looking at scene from all angles not by having it in your head it was done one way and there is no other possibility. The investigative mindset comes from experiencing it hands on or by practicing. Some people are born with this mindset. An investigative mind gives us the ability to see what a naked eye wouldn’t. It also allows us to see evidence others may not think would be related to the scene. With both mindsets we come in with the questions of who, what, why, when, where?

Osterburg, J. W. & Ward, R. H. (2010). Criminal investigation, A method for reconstructing the past (6th ed.)

3. Scientific method is observing, thinking about and solving problems. Investigators will use these methods throughout the entire investigation. Once the investigator arrives on scene they will make note of what they see in regards to bullets, tools, impressions, motive, blood spatter, and how it compares to other unsolved crimes. The investigator will use observation and thinking about the scene to lead him to solve the crime. These methods will also lead to catching the perpetrator. A reason may even be drawn to conclude as to the cause of the crime.

Osterburg, J. W. & Ward, R. H. (2010). Criminal investigation, A method for reconstructing the past (6th ed.)

4. The primary sources are used to reconstruct the past and the events leading up to the crime. The sources are records, physical evidence, and people. The people may be victims or eyewitnesses of the crime. The records would be use of stolen credit cards, forged checks, or ransom notes. The physical evidence would be shoe impressions, tool impressions, if barefoot it would be foot impressions, fingerprints, fibers or hair. People can be of value as well. They may know a wealth of information as to who committed the crime, the location of the perpetrator. They may be able to lead you to a person of interest. If nothing else the can give you valuable evidence such as a description.

Osterburg, J. W. & Ward, R. H. (2010). Criminal investigation, A method for reconstructing the past (6th ed.)

Definition and History of Criminal Investigation

The definition of criminal investigation is the study of facts, that are used to identify, locate and ultimately prove guilt or innocence of an accused criminal. The investigation is mainly the process used to reach a certain goal.

Criminal investigations date back to prehistoric era when early man took to fingerprint by pressing their hands and fingers into clay or rocks. Babylonians are used fingerprints on clay tablets for business purposes and to preserve identification for official needs. Through 700 BC to 44 BC the science evolved, and the Chinese begun to record thumb prints even without a formal classification system, the Ancient Greek physician Erasistus is said to have created the first lie detector in 250 BC because he had noticed his patients pulse rates would increase when the patient was lying.

An investigation in Julius Caesar’s death in 44 BC showed that only one of the twenty-three stab wounds he received only one was fatal. Over the next several hundred years crime scene investigations focused on fingerprints, and chemical elements such as poisons so by 1813, toxicology was developed and by the mid-1800s the Scotland yard had begun comparing bullets. The late 1800s and early 1900s, we saw the introduction of technology-based evidence like using body temperatures to determine time of death, we also saw the creation of a systematic approach to identifying fingerprints.

Also, during this time portable polygraph machines were developed, tests to detect gunshot residue and many other technologies that we still use today were developed. Today’s crime scene investigation has seen rapidly increases and new challenges to have yet to be fully understood, and technologies that have been built and advanced over the last couple hundred years and will continue to advance with each new technology and numerous possibilities.

The reliability of forensic science has been questionable in today’s justice system. Testimony by experts can be very persuasive when presented at trials, but juries don’t always see the true scientific evidence but also just because the persuasion of the evidence can also put innocent people behind bars.one example is the use of scent lineups and just how well are they reliable. A case in Texas showed that sometimes using scent lineups and dogs cannot be, a officers who was a dog handler was positive that his dogs could positively find the murderer in a case of a woman found dead, his dogs tracked a man who was well respected and a former police officers as well as four other men who were arrested and charged with the murder all ended up being innocent when the son of the woman admitted to murdering her.

These men were charged with the crime and lives ruined because of the use of scent lineups. The men were cleared of the charges but not before their lives and reputation were ruined. So, the question is just how reliable can a dog sniff out a suspect from a crime scene.? Dog have been very reliable at sniffing out criminals in a then and their situation, and of course in finding drugs and explosives but there is no proven science behind it this theory.so this leaves other theories to question as well such as blood splatter analysis, ear and lip prints and even fingerprints have been questionable but all of which have made or broke a case. All the techniques are questionable and not all have been proven and have flaws.

But these techniques have also helped free innocent people and have also put innocent people behind bars. The Innocence Project has exonerated over 252 people by DNA since 1989, how was because the science was questioned and proven to be faulty forensic science. One human error in a forensic investigation can create a major reliability issue in any case but in we should never give up on the science because like all sciences they are all imperfect and all can have it flaws. But by using a little skepticism on the law enforcement side on these techniques the history will show that sometimes if something is to good to be true it probably is.

Forensic science has repeated helped in catching repeat offenders by using its methods to document and eventually helping to arrest a person repeating the same crimes. They help in using techniques such as fingerprints and computer records because once a person is arrested they go into a system of documenting that can be pulled up in many different databases. Using criminal records is usually the most effective method to catching repeat offenders because a law enforcement agent can look a person’s background and determine the passivity if the person could be guilty.an example of this could be when a officers pulls over a car and checks the driver if the person has a background in say drugs and is acting suspicious then most likely the person is committing the crime of drugs yet and again.

But like all things law enforcement administrators and even prosecutors should be aware of the legal produces needed to be successful in judgment’s procedures should be well documented and detected in the preliminary investigation and aware of the state-to-state guidelines recommended by doing these things help establish the databases such as fingerprints in systems used widely by almost every today.

The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) is a main database that can help id a suspect by using nonbiometric characteristics, AFIS is another database that includes the fingerprint information. The National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) lets officers make inquiries in any state, with these different databases and using the guidelines set by a department catching repeat offenders should be easier and more efficient.

In every aspect of the criminal justice system there is a moral reasonability and in every criminal investigation there is no excuse for not being responsible because it can make or break a case. Because the success of a criminal investigator depends on the quality of the information they obtain, it is critical to examine every aspect of the crime scene from the interviews taken of the witnesses, collecting physical evidence and analyzing the correct and needed materials to identify what and how to solve the case.

That also means being accurate and getting enough information, well documented evidence, pictures, videos and of course having a moral responability should be the most efficient way to have a successful case. Using AFIS, NCIC, and the NLETS can also be proven to help in the investigation because you can find things in sometimes other cases to pursue or discount. But with all these techniques and information the most important thing is the moral responabiluty of the investigator by doing the right thing regardless of if one thinks the person is guilty or not. Criminal investigations are the least studied police functions and it is easier to say pass judgement on a person wheiter they are guilty or innocent.

Because it is the least studied it has over time evolved to be a very effective tool in solving a crime and putting a criminal in the right place behind bars. For the science of criminal investigation to succeed it must be adaptable and willing to change to meet the new challenges to technology and ways of finding out the most accurate and reliable way of finding new evidence all while staying non-judgmental and morally responsible. Working on better relationships with all departments can also affect the successfulness of the case.

To sum up and to bring it all together, forensic science and criminal investigation have been studied and use for centuries and have only been greatly improved or disproved in there reliability and accuracy but they also continue to improve with the new technologies and techniques and by doing what is moral right and collecting accurate information and evidence with also the willingness to adapt to change and improve can help a case become very successful. There will always be the skeptics that will try to prove that this science is not actually a science but if everything is done proficient, accurate and efficiently the science will in time prove the truth in the field and to prove the reliability in the science. This science is a much needed one and has many breakthroughs just waiting to happen and can only improve in the future.

Four Types of Evidence in a Criminal Investigation

What are the four types of evidence in a criminal investigation? A: Evidence is any actual data (information), which can be presented in various forms. The actual data relevant to the correct resolution of the case can be obtained (determined) by the court by explanations of the parties, third parties and their representatives, testimony, written and material evidence, expert opinions. Basic types of the evidence comprise physical, documentary, demonstrative, and a testimony kind. The evidence is a type of information concerning certain issues received by the investigatory process. Physical evidence is a type of evidence is an actual object that can be touchable and investigated. Documentary evidence can be in the form of a letter, receipt, testaments, etc. Photos and videos or chats can present demonstrative type. Witnesses usually deliver testimony kind of evidence.

What are individual characteristics? Give an example of an individual characteristic? A: Individual characteristic is a type of evidence that presents an induvial description of a certain object. Here an expert takes into consideration while examining a certain subject, particularly evidence. All marks, irregular features, and imperfections are taken into account. The DNA can present a bright example of an individual characteristic. DNA profile from a bloodstain can present one of the useful and significant types of evidence in a criminal investigation procedure.

What is the difference between individual characteristics and class characteristics? A: An individual characteristic is usually based on the analysis of certain objects. This particular object is investigated, and its main marks and features are described. On the contrary, a class characteristic is a characteristic presenting feature of a certain class of objects. It is related to a certain group. The second type of features, particularly class characteristics turned to be more useful and efficient in the investigatory process, as it enables to receive more data acting according to the exclusion method.

What are physical and chemical properties? Give an example of each. A: Each object, particularly evidence, possesses some properties enabling to identify this particular object within a variety of available ones. There two basic type of properties – physical and chemical. Physical properties can be examined without the conduct of any experiments. Moreover, they cannot influence chemical properties of an object. To the physical properties of an object belong, for example, color and smell. Chemical properties can change the chemical features of a matter, and they influence molecular composition. These chemical features can undergo various reactions and change its characteristics. To this group of properties belong, for example, the reactivity of water, the content of liquids in blood, etc.

What do forensic scientists do to collect and preserve soil samples? A: The task of forensic scientists is to carefully collect soil samples and take them to the lab, maximally avoiding an influence of external factors. Their samples are very sensitive and specific. The soil is a physical type of evidence, and it can change the influence of various factors. That is why an expert has to be maximally careful to receive exact and credible results. They have to try to maximally preserve the primary features of the evidence.

Critical thinking questions

Why do you think forensic scientists are so careful that the tests they do are sensitive, reproducible, and specific? What might happen if they were less careful about this? A: In my opinion, the task of the forensic scientists is to be maximally careful to preserve all the chemical data that the soil samples may enable to get. If they are less careful about their samples, the test results may be not very accurate. What is more, the samples may provide no info, which may be useful in the investigatory process.

Which type of evidence do you think is most useful in an investigation? Why? A: I believe the most credible and useful type of criminal evidence is a physical sample. Physical evidence includes material objects that have properties that reflect the circumstances of a crime in the form of traces, origin, etc. The information contained in material objects, transmitted through direct perception of the features of the subject is the most credible way to receive data that may apply to the investigatory process.

Why do you think that forensic scientists continue to look for class characteristics given their limitations? A: The task of forensic scientists is demands the responsible attitude, as they need to provide the investigatory experts with the data, that may enable them to reveal a crime. A tendency according to which they continue to look for class characteristics given their limitations turned to be the most prolific. The reason for that is simple – it enables to receive the data enabling to find the answer maximally quickly and effectively. For example, the characteristics of various types of guns can be used as a helpful tool in the determination of weapons used by a criminal in the process of committing a crime.

Updated: Sep 29, 2022
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What Are the Methods of Inquiry and How Are They Used in Criminal Investigation?. (2016, Dec 30). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/what-are-the-methods-of-inquiry-and-how-are-they-used-in-criminal-investigation-essay

What Are the Methods of Inquiry and How Are They Used in Criminal Investigation? essay
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