Row 1
What is an investigation?
systematic collection of facts/information for the purpose of describing and explaining an incident
What is testimonial evidence?
What people communicate to us about their memories of observations the have made: what people tell us they saw, heard, tasted, felt or smelled. It can be given orally, sign language or communication board.
What are the 3 critical values of conducting an investigation?
Speed
Thoroughness
Objectivity
What are the 5 W's plus H- Standard Operation Procedure words to avoid leading questions?
Who
What
Where
When
Why
How
what is incompetence associated with Testimonial evidence?
1. Neurologically impaired memory ( can't remember the event, i.e. Alzheimer)
2. Doesn't understand the difference between telling the truth and telling a lie
What are relevant facts?
Facts which have the potential to help describe and explain an incident.
What is documentary evidence?
represents the manner in which we preserve testimonial evidence, including other agency documents such as consumer records, memos, policies, assignments sheets, unit logs, physician reports, etc.
In developing the investigatory question, the investigator must know approximately when the incident happened ( ___) and where it
happened ( ___).
( time)
( space)
What are incident interviews?
The interview of witnesses who were at or about the scene of the event
What is an opinion testimony?
What someone speculates she or he would have observed had they been there. (Buzzwords: think, thought, I believe, perhaps, maybe could, should've) (Lead)
What is the investigatory question?
a question identifying the purpose of the investigation- helps to determine relevant facts. The ultimate question or questions which must be answered.
What is physical evidence?
Tangible evidence such as injuries or lack of injuries, weapons, bodily fluid, ect. It also includes the spatial relationships between objects or persons at a scene, such as the location of the entrance to the building in relation to scene of the incident. You must collect the specific object involve in the incident, not one that is just like it.
What is the role of the supervisor?
Provide first air to anyone injured
Ensure injured person receives medical attention
Secure the scene of incident
Keep all witness onsite until investigator arrives
Separate witness, if possible
Secure documentary information.
What are exploratory interviews?
When incident report lacks time/space detail of occurrence.
interview anyone who could have been in contact with time/space of the event.
What is an expert testimony?
Based on education, training, or experience, someone is allowed to speculate about what happened.
What are the four forms of evidence?
Testimonial
Documentary
Physical
Demonstrative
What is demonstrative evidence?
The way we preserve physical evidence, including pictures, diagrams, maps and x-rays. Pictures show color and shape best, while diagrams illustrate spatial relations. A video of the actual event will show what happened, but it will not explain motive. e.i security cameras videos.
What is the role of the investigator?
*Speak to the supervisor and medical personnel about medical needs that were addressed.
*Collect medical reports about the injuries.
Observe the injuries on the individuals.
Speak with witness about the incident no notes, verbal conversation
* Collect, and create physical evidence
* Create a chain of custody for the physical evidence
* Interview, and written statements:
* Reporter, Victim, eyewitnesses, Circumstantial witness, Alleged Perpetrator.
* Collect, and Review all document information
* Conduct background, and follow up interviews
What are background interviews?
Interview of anyone who has relevant information not derived from the scene of the event.
Examples: Supervisor re: relationships; medical professional re: expert testimony.
what is hearsay testimony?
What someone testifies about what another person observed. In court hearsay is not admissible.
( lead)
Exceptions: admission v. self interest, excited utterance
What are the two types of evidence?
Direct evidence
Circumstantial evidence
What is direct and circumstantial evidence?
Direct: eyewitness testimony
Circumstantial: any other information which , although relevant, does not answer the question conclusively, even if true.
What are the 5 types of interviews?
Incident
Exploratory
Background
Follow up
Interrogation ( we do not conduct interrogations)
What are follow up interviews?
Questions forgot to ask
Questions about new issues raised since earlier interview.
Resolve discrepancies in evidence.
What are the 4 follow up questions?
When slicing the bologna?
When an answer is the time?
When the witness saw a person?
When the witness heard voices?
What happened next?
How did you know it was 1 pm?
Who was that person? What was their name?
What were the words you heard?