BRC 104 - Criminal Investigations Part 3 (325-343)

Canvassing is a method of gathering information by going door-to-door and surveying individuals in a specific area. It involves actively seeking out and questioning potential sources to collect data or opinions. This approach allows for a comprehensive and thorough inquiry into a particular area, ensuring that all possible sources of information are considered. Canvassing is commonly used in market research, political campaigns, and community outreach programs.

When somebody makes an objection, one of two things can happen. The judge can overrule it, or the judge can sustain it. "Sustain" means that the judge agrees with the objection and allows it to stand, usually resulting in the exclusion of certain evidence or the dismissal of a question. This is the opposite of "overrule," which means the judge disagrees with the objection and allows the evidence or question to be presented. "Abstain" and "refrain" do not accurately describe the judge's action in response to an objection.

Informants are individuals who provide the police with information about crimes. They may do so out of a sense of civic duty or in the hope of receiving some personal benefit or advantage. These individuals play a crucial role in assisting law enforcement in solving crimes and gathering evidence. Their willingness to come forward and share information can help the police in their investigations and contribute to maintaining public safety.

The correct answer is "Please certify the question." This response suggests that the officer is asking for clarification or verification of the question being asked. It implies that the question may be improper or unclear, and the officer is requesting for it to be officially certified or validated before providing an answer.

When a statement is made and is not recorded, it is considered "off the record." This means that the statement is not officially documented or included in any formal record or transcript. It is often used in journalism or legal contexts when a person wants to provide information without it being attributed to them or used as evidence. "Off the record" statements are typically meant to be confidential and not intended for public disclosure.

The correct answer is "Modus Operandi, mode of operation". Modus Operandi is a Latin term commonly used in criminology to refer to the characteristic method of operation or behavior of a criminal. It describes the specific techniques, habits, or patterns that a criminal uses when carrying out a crime. In this context, "mode of operation" is the most appropriate definition for MO.

Officers are not required by law to attend the first appearance. While officers may attend the first appearance in certain cases, it is not a legal requirement for them to do so. The decision to attend the first appearance is usually based on the specific circumstances of the case and the discretion of the officer involved. Therefore, the statement that officers are required by law to attend the first appearance is false.

The preliminary investigation is the initial stage of a criminal investigation where the primary focus is to determine whether a crime has been committed and, if so, what type of crime it is. This involves gathering information, interviewing witnesses, examining the crime scene, and analyzing evidence to establish the facts of the case. Pursuing leads and following agency policy, making an arrest, and re-enacting the crime scene are all activities that may occur during the investigation but are not the primary focus of the preliminary investigation.

DAVID is the correct answer because it is a database system that provides comprehensive information about drivers, vehicles, licenses, and signatures. It stands for Driver and Vehicle Information Database and is commonly used by law enforcement agencies to access and manage this type of data. FCIC, NLETS, and FALCON are not specifically designed to store and retrieve the mentioned information, making them incorrect options.

If an officer finds that he or she is missing a report or document from the preliminary investigation, it is best to contact the agency's records section. This is because the records section is responsible for maintaining and organizing all the documents and reports related to investigations. By reaching out to the records section, the officer can inquire about the missing report or document and request a copy if necessary. This ensures that all necessary information is available for the investigation to proceed smoothly.

Computerized Aided Dispatch (CAD) is a computerized logging system that records every event reported and instruction given by dispatch in a chronological order, with the date and time. It is a comprehensive system that helps in managing emergency calls, dispatching resources, and tracking the status and location of responders. CAD streamlines the communication process, ensuring accurate and efficient recording of events and instructions for future reference and analysis.

A deposition is an official court proceeding where sworn testimony is given by a witness or a party involved in the case, prior to the trial. It allows one of the attorneys to gather information and evidence by asking questions to the witness, under oath. This testimony can be used as evidence during the trial.

A trial is the examination of facts and related law presided over by a judge or magistrate. During a trial, both parties present evidence and arguments to support their case, and the judge or magistrate makes a decision based on the presented information. This process is conducted in a formal setting and follows specific legal procedures to ensure a fair and impartial judgment.

The investigative case file is the repository of all information derived from both the preliminary investigation and the follow-up investigation. It contains all the evidence, witness statements, reports, and other relevant documents gathered during the investigation. This file is crucial for law enforcement agencies and prosecutors as it provides a comprehensive record of the investigation and serves as a reference for building a case against a suspect. It is used to ensure that all necessary information is available for court proceedings and to support the decision-making process throughout the criminal justice system.

Establishing a case file is one of the first steps in a follow-up investigation because it helps to organize and document all the information related to the case. This includes gathering and storing evidence, recording witness statements, documenting the timeline of events, and any other relevant details. Having a case file ensures that all the information is easily accessible and can be used as a reference throughout the investigation. It also helps in maintaining a clear and organized record of the investigation, which is essential for presenting the findings to the State Attorney or other relevant parties.

The purpose of the pretrial meeting is to give the state attorney an opportunity to clarify facts and review inconsistencies. This meeting allows the state attorney to gather all the necessary information and evidence before the trial begins. It also helps in identifying any inconsistencies in the case and allows the state attorney to address them beforehand. This helps in ensuring a fair and just trial process.

NLETS is the correct answer because it is an organization based in Phoenix, Arizona that supports inquiries into various types of data files, including out-of-state motor vehicle data, Canadian criminal histories, and weather information.

The correct answer states that when the rule of sequestration is in effect, the officer is not allowed to remain in the courtroom while the witness gives testimony. This means that during the witness's testimony, the officer must leave the courtroom to ensure that their presence does not influence or affect the witness's testimony in any way. This is done to maintain the integrity and fairness of the trial process by preventing any potential bias or intimidation.

The correct answer states that an officer's report should only be used to find specific details, and other than that, the officer should be able to testify from memory. This means that while an officer's report can provide additional information and details, the officer is expected to rely on their own memory and personal knowledge when testifying in court. The report should not be used as a substitute for the officer's testimony, but rather as a supplementary tool to support and provide specific details during the testimony.

The NCIC headquarters is located in Washington, DC.

The motion to suppress evidence must be made after the defense attorney presents the defendant's defense. This is because the motion to suppress evidence is typically made when there is a legal argument that the evidence was obtained illegally or in violation of the defendant's rights. The defense attorney presents the defendant's defense during the trial, and it is at this point that they may identify any evidence that should be suppressed. Making the motion after the defense attorney presents the defense allows for a timely and appropriate consideration of the admissibility of the evidence.