Criminal Investigation Assessment UNIT VII Essay Questions

                                                                       (1)

The work of an investigator is a complex one as it involves the gathering of minute and seemingly meaningless clues which then linked together to help come up with solutions to personal, legal or financial mysteries. In court investigators may be actively utilized (spotlighted) in the following ways; (1) they deliver duly compiled and reliable files on cases investigated so that hearing can commence; (2) by the request of a prosecutor or any other court authority they can be called to cross examine witnesses; (3) they can also participate in the filing of the adjournment requests to cases whose evidence is still incomplete.

 Investigators, also commonly referred to as detectives tackle numerous forms of societal ills ranging from criminal activities, to computer crimes, to marital infidelity cases, to insurance fraud, to children cases, to missing people cases. They use several methods to amass information about cases, e.g. they rely a great deal on computer information, they use video cameras, they also make phone calls, and they trail suspects and so on depending on the nature of the case. The proceeding of cases in court is subject to the evidence provided by the investigators, the judges’ listens to the accused and accuser but rely much on information from the investigators to make rulings. In case more evidence is still required (as it is with insurance fraud cases) then the investigators may be required to come in person (spotlighted) and  testify in court whereby they elaborate on their already submitted reports or even cross examines suspects in court. This therefore calls for quality work and shrewdness on the part of investigators. To achieve this they (investigators) visits crime scenes, interviews people (witnesses), work closely with other agencies including schools, law enforcement, health and human services, probate staff, public defender, public guardian, and professional staff to exchange views on common cases. [Marin County Superior Court Job Descriptions, 2008]

            Due to the complex nature of their work, investigators often specialize, for instance, computer forensic investigators majors in computer crimes, legal investigators majors in searching for witnesses in court cases and other related cases, financial investigators majors in carrying out financial appraisal for individuals and companies, while corporate investigators conducts internal and external investigations for corporations. [Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09] Whether privately practicing or engaged by an agency or the police, investigators are bound to carry out their work with utmost shrewdness in order to gather as much evidence as possible while abiding by the local, state, or federal legislations to avoid compromising the admissibility of the gathered evidence in a court of law.

                                                                       (2)

            After a case has been filed in a court of law the judge/magistrate authorizes a qualified investigator/detective (in most cases from the police force) to carry out a thorough investigation based on the small details given out by the person filling the case.  The investigators prepares a several accurate and complete records which may include reports, case notes, summaries of findings, correspondence, recommendations, legal documents and other written materials as may be specified. After they compile their reports, the investigators forward them to the court or the police. [Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09]

            In normal court proceedings judges/magistrates are obligated by law to make a ruling which may take either way e.g. a case may be nullified on grounds of insufficient evidence. With the help of the prosecutor who is the prime mover of cases, and other junior officers of the court e.g. court clerks, witnesses are cross examined. The judge then uses the evidence given by the witnesses in addition to documentary evidence compiled by investigators to make a summary of the case (ruling) as provided for by the law. However, sometimes witnesses may give false accounts about cases or still give scanty details which can not be used to conclude a case, in such circumstances then the investigators can be called in to give tangible and reliable evidence. Investigators evidence may be termed as good and reliable due to a number of reasons. First, investigators are highly educated (holders of university degrees) and trained (some with long experiences in the job) this makes them to be sensitive to even the minutest of clues which a layman may ignore as inconsequential. They maintain neutral stands when handling cases and therefore are bound to tap all relevant details from both sides of parties of a case.  They are also exposed to all kinds of modern technology gadgets such as computers, digital cameras, or binoculars all which enhances their evidence gathering endeavors. [Marin County Superior Court Job Descriptions, 2008]

References:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 edition, Private Detectives and Investigators, available at;
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos157.htm, accessed on February 5 2009

Marin County Superior Court Job Descriptions, available at:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/marin/default.cfm?action=viewclassspec&ClassSpecID=7853, accessed on February 5 2009