Criminal Investigation (4^th Ed.)

Criminal investigators need broad knowledge of such topics as criminal law, criminal procedure, and investigative techniques. The best resource for these professionals will distill the needed information into one practical volume. Written in an accessible style, the fourth edition of Criminal Investigation maintains the same reader friendly approach that made its predecessors so popular with students, professionals, and practitioners.

Beginning with an overview of the history of criminal investigation, the book explores current investigative practices and the legal issues that constrain or guide them. It discusses the wide range of sources of information available, including the internet, individuals, state and local sources, and federal agencies and commissions.

Next, the book discusses other investigative techniques, including interviewing and interrogation, informants, surveillance, and undercover operations. A chapter on report writing provides explicit instructions on how to capture the most critical information needed in an investigation. Additional chapters cover the crime scene investigation and the crime laboratory.

The remainder of the book delves into the specific investigative protocols for individual crimes, including sex offenses, homicide, mass and serial murder, assault and robbery, property crimes, cybercrime, and narcotics. Concluding chapters focus on the police/prosecutor relationship and investigative trends.

Each chapter includes a summary, a list of key terms, and review questions so that readers can test their assimilation of the material. Clear and concise, this book is an essential resource for every criminal investigator?s toolbox.

Historical Review of Criminal Investigation. Current Investigative Practices. Legal Issues. Sources of Information. Interviewing and Interrogation. Informants. Writing Reports and Field Notes. Surveillance and Undercover Operations. Crime Scene Investigation. The Crime Laboratory. Sex Offenses. Death through Violence. Assault and Robbery. Property Crimes. Cybercrime. Narcotics and Other Drugs. The Police/Prosecutor Relationship. Investigative Trends. Index.

Michael J. Palmiotto, Ph.D., is a professor of Criminal Justice and undergraduate coordinator of the Criminal Justice Department at Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas. He is a former police officer in New York State, serving with the White Plains and Scarsdale Police Departments. He has experience in establishing and operating a police training facility in western Pennsylvania. He has a master’s degree from John Jay College (CUNY) and a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Palmiotto has been a faculty member of several universities including Western Illinois University and Armstrong Atlantic State University. Dr. Palmiotto has published ten books, twelve book chapters, and numerous articles on criminal justice and law enforcement. He has published in the areas of criminal investigations, community policing, police misconduct, police globalization, and police training, to name a few topics.