This book fills an important gap in the textbooks on criminal investigations. Foundations of Criminal Investigation presents the relevant investigations process as part of the scientific method. This places criminal investigation among the disciplines that have a scientific method or procedure in which a problem is discovered and articulated, facts are found to address the problem, these facts are analyzed, and then the findings are presented in some public format. Author Frank Morn incorporates contributions from some of these other academic disciplines such as anthropology, archaeology, history, geography, oceanography, psychology, and the natural sciences. After an introductory section that gives an overview of both the criminal investigation process and the history of criminal investigation, Foundations of Criminal Investigation is divided into two distinct parts. Part One presents an overview of the investigative process from crime scene to the courtroom while Part Two deals with particular investigative problems such as death, sex offenses, arson, and robbery -- framed against the backdrop of the information found in Part One. Numerous illustrations and charts also help explain the investigative process. This book provides a strong grounding and framework for those interested in a more practical hands-on approach to criminal investigations.

This text presents the fundamentals of criminal investigation and provides a sound method for reconstructing a past event (i.e., a crime), based on three major sources of information — people, records, and physical evidence. Its tried-and-true system for conducting an investigation is updated with the latest techniques available, teaching the reader new ways of obtaining information from people, including mining the social media outlets now used by a broad spectrum of the public; how to navigate the labyrinth of records and files currently available online; and fresh ways of gathering, identifying, and analyzing physical evidence.

The manner in which criminal investigators are trained is neither uniform nor consistent, ranging from sophisticated training protocols in some departments to on-the-job experience alongside senior investigators in others. Ideal for students taking a first course in the subject as well as professionals in need of a refresher, Introduction to Criminal Investigation uses an accessible format to convey concepts in practical, concrete terms. Topics discussed include: The history of criminal investigation in Western society Qualifications for becoming an investigator, the selection process, and ideal training requirements Crime scene search techniques, including planning and post-search debriefing Preparing effective field notes and investigative reports Interviewing and interrogating Types of evidence found at the crime scene and how to collect, package, and preserve it The contributions of forensic science to criminal investigations and the equipment used in crime labs Investigative protocol for a range of crimes, including property crimes, auto theft, arson, financial crimes, homicide, assault, sex crimes, and robbery Specialized investigations, including drug trafficking, cybercrime, and gang-related crime Legal issues involved in criminal investigations and preparing a case for trial Bringing together contributions from law enforcement personnel, academics, and attorneys, the book combines practical and theoretical elements to provide a comprehensive examination of today‘s criminal investigative process. The accessible manner in which the information is conveyed makes this an ideal text for a wide-ranging audience.

In recent years, the fields of crime analysis and environmental criminology have grown in prominence for their advancements made in understanding crime. This book offers a theoretical and methodological introduction to crime analysis, covering the main techniques used in the analysis of crime and the foundation of crime mapping. Coverage includes discussions of: The development of crime analysis and the profession of the crime analyst, The theoretical roots of crime analysis in environmental criminology, Pertinent statistical methods for crime analysis, Spatio-temporal applications of crime analysis, Crime mapping and the intersection of crime analysis and police work, Future directions for crime analysis. Packed with case studies and including examples of specific problems faced by crime analysts, this book offers the perfect introduction to the analysis and investigation of crime. It is essential reading for students taking courses on crime analysis, crime mapping, crime prevention, and environmental criminology. A companion website offers further resources for students, including flashcards and video and website links. For instructors, it includes chapter-by-chapter PowerPoint slides.

Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Justice provides students with an introduction to criminal justice theory, offers them a greater understanding of the differences between system behavior and offender behavior, and demonstrates how criminal justice theory is reflected within key scholarly works. The text is divided into six units. Each unit provides a historical foundation to the theoretical concepts discussed, followed by carefully selected articles that encourage readers to compare more recent research within the system to the prior purpose and intent of each component of the criminal justice system. The opening unit examines the differences between offender behavior and system behavior and provides students with an overview of criminological theories and their micro, meso, and macro applications. Proceeding units focus on a specific area of the criminal justice system, including law and government; law enforcement; courts and sentencing; corrections; and probations and aftercare. Specific topics addressed within the articles include procedural justice, legitimacy, and the effective rule of law; concepts and strategies that have influenced community policing; realism about judges; the scale of imprisonment in the United States; and more. Emphasizing critical thought and real-world application, Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Justice is an ideal textbook for courses in criminal justice theory.