Detective Work: A Study of Criminal Investigations

Day-by-day detective work is studied, using case histories, to detail actual problems involved in finding and interpreting information; emphasis is given to juvenile, burglary, and major crime bureaus. The main focus of this book is the relationship between information and decisions, as encountered in actual investigations. The relationship between 'data' and 'information,' or when does a fact become a clue, is explored through a number of case histories. The role of the patrol report in initiating investigations, the role of the detective bureau in initiating its own investigations, and the relationship between the detective bureau and the rest of the department are detailed. Case histories also explore the special techniques used by successful investigators to identify, locate, and arrest suspects and to get them to admit guilt. Special problems arise when dealing with victims of major crimes. Much has been written about the need for understanding when dealing with rape victims; the same understanding is also needed for victims of robberies, assaults, and other serious offenses. The special problems of the juvenile bureau and the routine of the burglary bureau are also examined. The role of intuition and subjective investigation as well as the 'fact' in successful crime-solving is explored. Appendixes give forms used in the study, a bibliography, and an index.… (more)