Chapter 1 -Criminal

Investigation: An Overview
Syed Mahfujul Haque Marjan
Course TeacherCriminal Investigation: Methods
and Techniques

Criminal Investigation Defined

An investigation is a patient, step-by step
inquiry or observation, a careful
examination, a recording of evidence or a
legal inquiry.
Investigate is derived from the Latin word
investigare, meaning to track or trace.

Crimes Defined I
A crime is an act in violation of penal law
and an offense against the state.
A felony is a serious crime, graver than a
misdemeanor, generally punishable by
death or imprisonment of more than one
year in a prison.

Few Examples
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Few Points

In todays high-tech society, where information flows

faster than ever and citizens expect results more quickly,
investigators need to step up their technology and
teamwork skillsthey need an edge. The International
Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) declares-

Its a new world and the role of the detective has changed
dramatically. In the old world, shoe leather was the
detectives primary tool. Luck and persistence was
cornerstones of success. Now, in the information age, where
technology advances daily, shoe leather is still important
as are luck and persistencebut aggressive detectives and
their supervisors are constantly looking for a new edge. That
edge might be a new method or approach to criminal
investigations, or it may be the result of taking advantage of
new developments in the forensic and management sciences.

 No two crimes are identical, even if committed

by the same person, each investigation is unique.
The great range of variables in individual crimes
makes it impossible to establish fixed rules for
conducting an investigation.

Nevertheless, some general guidelines help to

ensure a thorough, effective investigation.
Investigators modify and adapt these guidelines
to fit each case.

History of Criminal
Investigation
1.Prehistoric
Evidence suggests that the investigation of crimes occurred
as far back as prehistoric times when early man took
fingerprints by pressing hands and fingers into clay or rock.

2. 700 B.C. - 44 B.C.

Forensic science continued to evolve, and in 700
B.C., the Chinese began to record thumb prints on
clay sculpture and documents despite having no
formal classification system was in place.
In 250 B.C., an ancient Greek physician,
Erasistratus, created the first lie detector test when
he noted that his patients' pulse rate appeared to
increase when they lied.
In 44 B.C., a Roman doctor examined Julius
Caesar's body and discovered that of his 23 stab
wounds, only one was fatal.

3.1100s and 1200s

By 1100 A.D., crime scene investigation had
improved to such a degree that Roman attorney
Quintilian proved that blood-covered palm prints
were left at a crime scene to frame a blind man
for the murder of his mother.
Nearly 150 years later, in 1248 AD, the first
documentation of medical knowledge aimed at
solving crimes was recorded in the book "Hsi
Duan Yu" (the Washing Away of Wrong).

The book "Hsi Duan Yu"

(the Washing Away of
Wrong).

Continued
It detailed describes, among other things,
how to determine whether a victim
drowned or was strangled as a cause of
death.
It also detailed how the criminal
investigator identified the type of blade
used in a murder by examining the dead
body and how to determine whether a
death was accidental or murder.

4. 1300s Through Mid-1800s

Over the next 500 years, advancements in crime
scene investigation focused on the many aspects of
fingerprint detail and chemical elements like
poisons.
In 1813, Mathieu Bonaventure Orfila, who is
considered the father of modern toxicology,
published "Traite des Poisons,"
and in the mid-1800s, investigators at Scotland
Yard began to conduct bullet comparisons.
Following these advancements, investigators
developed successful tissue tests that identified
arsenic as a means of murder.

5. Late 1800s - Early 1900s

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, forensic
science expanded to include technologies like body
temperature to determine time of death and the
systematic use of fingerprinting for identification.

The portable polygraph machine appeared in 1921

followed by tests to detect gunshot residue in 1933.
Other critical discovery of this time includes
voiceprint identification technologies.

6. Modern CSI
Modern crime scene investigation advanced rapidly
through the late 1900s and the early 2000s.
Using the solid foundation developed over thousands
of years of forensic investigation, modern forensics
built upon these technologies and expanded their
application to include computer forensics, DNA
forensics, entomological (insect) forensics and
enhanced biological studies.
Crime scene investigation continues to experience
rapid technological advancements.

Criminal Investigation: Bangladesh Perspective

Bangladesh Police has a hundred year

old history. On 2 April 1891, Edward
Henry was appointed Inspector General
of Police Bengal.

He had already been exchanging letters

with Francis Galton regarding the use of
fingerprinting to identify criminals
which Henry introduced into the Bengal
police department.

Galton also provided the first workable

fingerprint classification system, which
was later adapted by E. R. Henry for
practical use in police forces and other
bureaucratic settings.
Most of all, Galton's extensive popular
advocacy of the use of prints helped to
convince a skeptical public that they could
be used reliably for identification.

The Book of F. Galton

July 1896 and February 1897, with the assistance

of Sub-Inspector Syed Azizul Haque and
Heme handra Bose, Henry developed a system of
fingerprint classification enabling fingerprint
records to be organized and searched with relative
case.
Years later, both Haque and Bose, on Henry's
recommendation, received recognition by the
British Government for their contribution to the
development of fingerprint classification.

 In traditional Policing, member of the Police Stations

(Thana Police) remains busy in varieties of job
simultaneously , like- Maintaining Law and Order, Traffic
Duty, Protection Duty for the VVIP's and Dignitaries,
Different kind of Official tasking, Securing Different
establishments and KPI's; with all of these job they also
Investigates Criminal cases.
Despite willingness an Investigating Officer fails to give
sufficient time and proper concentration , in his or her
investigation. As a result the government formed PBI on
October 18, 2012, for carrying out impartial
investigations into important cases. And the Government
issued a gazette regarding the power of investigating
cases of PBI.

Definition of Criminal Investigation

Investigate is derived from the Latin word
investigare, meaning to track or trace.
Criminal Investigation is an applied science
that involves the study of facts, used to
identify, locate and prove the guilt of
a criminal.
A complete criminal investigation can include
searching, interviews, interrogations,
evidence collection and preservation and
various methods of investigation.

A criminal investigation is the process of

legally gathering evidence of a crime that
has been or is being committed.
Reference: Criminal Investigation: Law and Practice, 2nd ed., Michael F.
Brown, Butterworth-Hienemann, 2001

A criminal investigations the process of

discovering, collecting, preparing,
identifying and presenting evidence to
determine what happened and who is
responsible.
Reference: Criminal Investigation, 10th ed., Christine Hess Orthmann,
and Kren Matison Hess, 2013

Relevant terms and definitions significant to the

criminal investigation process:
Bias: A highly personal and unreasoned distortion of
judgment.
Crime: An act or omission forbidden by law and
punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or even death.
Crimes and their penalties are established and defined
by state and federal statutes and local ordinances.
Circumstantial Evidence: A fact or event that tends to
incriminate a person in a crime, e.g., being seen
running from a crime scene.
Complainant: Person requesting an investigation or
that action is taken. Is often the victim of a crime?

Corpus delicate: Literally means the body

or substance of the crime. In law the term
refers to proof of establishing that a crime
has occurred.
Elements of a crime: Conditions that must
occur for an act to be called a specific kind
of crime.
Evidence: Anything that helps establish
the facts related to a crime.

 Fact: Something known to be true.

Field Identification: On-the-scene identification of
a suspect by the victim of or witness to a crime. (TI
Parade)
Prejudice: An opinion or leaning adverse to
anything without just grounds or before obtaining
sufficient knowledge.
Modus Operandi (MO): A criminals characteristic
method of operation.
Probable Cause: Evidence that warrants a person of
reasonable caution in the belief that a crime has
been committed.

 Reasonable Doubt: The level of certainty a juror

must have to find a defendant guilty of a crime. A
real doubt, based upon reason and common sense
after careful and impartial consideration of all the
evidence, or lack of evidence, in a case.
Statement: A legal narrative description of events
related to a crime.
Suspect: A person considered to be directly or
indirectly connected with a crime, either by overt act
or by planning and/or directing it.
Witness: A person who saw a crime or some part of it
being committed or who has relevant information.
Victim: The person injured by a crime.

Criminal investigation tools

Information: The knowledge a criminal investigator
gathers from other persons (victims, witnesses,
suspects) and other legitimate sources (records, reports,
etc.)
Instrumentation or forensic science: The techniques
that help in the solution of the crime. Consists of
fingerprints, DNA analysis etc.
Interviewing: The questioning of victims and
witnesses of a crime. These people are not suspected of
being involved in the crime, but are encouraged to
provide the police with information about the crime or
individuals involved in it.

Laws of arrest, search and seizure:

Provides guidance on what investigative
techniques are acceptable. Mastery and
knowledge of criminal procedures and the
rules of evidence enable the investigator to
gather evidence against a suspect that can
withstand court challenges.

Goals of Criminal Investigation

The goal of criminal investigation would seem to be to
solve cases, to discover whodunit. (Who has done it?)
In reality, the goals of criminal investigation are not quite
so simple. To discover the truth and hold offenders to
account, criminal investigation has several important
goals.
Determine whether a crime has been committed.
Legally obtain information and evidence to identify the
responsible person.
Arrest the suspect.
Recover stolen property.
Present the best possible case to the prosecutor.

Qualities of a Criminal Investigator

Communication and Interview Skills: Interviews are
often the cornerstone of any investigation. Investigators
must interview the client or victim, witnesses and
suspects. The investigator must ask clear questions and
extract as much detail as possible.

Control Emotions:Investigators must be able to control

their emotions. In many cases, the investigator may deal
with issues that make her angry; however, expressing this
anger can harm the case and cause witnesses to withhold
information. In addition, the investigator must show
empathy to victims and clients and create a safe
environment for them to share important details.

 Honesty and Ethics:Investigators must be honest, ethical

and law abiding. If an investigator is caught lying or
using unethical methods of investigation, he loses
credibility and potentially his job. This is a problem if the
case goes to court and may prevent the suspect from
being convicted.
Technical Skills and Knowledge: Investigators often use
technology to assist in their investigations. Equipment
varies based on the type of investigation and the firm or
agency the investigator is working for.
Technical Skills and Knowledge: Investigators often use
technology to assist in their investigations. Equipment
varies based on the type of investigation and the firm or
agency the investigator is working for.

 Knowledge of the Law: Investigators must know the

laws surrounding the case. For example, when looking
into a corporation, an investigator may find the
company is doing something ethically questionable,
but not illegal.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: In order to
piece together the evidence and witness statements
obtained during an investigation, the investigator must
be a good problem solver. In many cases, witness
statements will be contradictory, so the investigator
must use critical thinking and problem solving skills to
figure out what really happened in a case.

 Research Skills:Research skills are critical in many

investigations. The investigator must often look into the
background and activities of victims, witnesses and
suspects. Investigators must have the resources and
ability to conduct relevant research.
Writing: Finally, effective investigators must be able to
write clearly and concisely. Whether working for a law
enforcement agency or private client, investigators must
submit written reports and documentation of their
investigation. These reports must be clear not only for the
client, but for the attorneys and judges should the case
make it to court.