eBook Categories Law Enforcement Promoting Effective Homicide Investigations
Promoting Effective Homicide Investigations |
| Ebook - Law Enforcement | |
| Monday, 03 November 2008 | |
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CALL FOR ACTION The primary goal of this document is to improve homicide investigations by exploring law enforcement agency practices and examining relatively new procedures that may lead to more effective investigations. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) report of 2005 crime data showed a 2.4 percent nationwide increase in homicides from 2004. The FBI’s preliminary numbers for 2006 indicate a continued upward trend in homicides in cities across the nation. For example, during the period 2004 to 2006, homicides increased by 38 percent in Cleveland. Other cities with significant increases in homicides in that period include Cincinnati (41 percent), Houston (37 percent), Las Vegas (16 percent), Memphis (39 percent), Newark, New Jersey (25 percent), Orlando (188 percent), Philadelphia (22 percent), and Seattle (25 percent). In light of these increases, police agencies not only need to increase their efforts to prevent homicides and focus the public’s attention on the violent crime problem; they also need to adopt best practices that can increase the effectiveness of homicide investigations. ... Download Promoting Effective Homicide Investigations PDF format, 2MB, 188Pages. James M. Cronin, Gerard R. Murphy, Lisa L. Spahr, Jessica I. Toliver, Richard E. Weger Published by the Police Executive Research Forum CONTENTS Visit Promoting Effective Homicide Investigations Download Page ABOUT THE AUTHORS JAMES M. CRONIN Prior to joining PERF, Cronin worked as a researcher for the Maryland Statistical Analysis Center, the Bureau of Governmental Research (HIDTA-High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas), the Washington, D.C., Sentencing Commission, and the D.C. Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. He has conducted research on juvenile delinquency prevention, homicide clearance rates, and the rehabilitation of offenders. He also assisted in establishing sentencing guidelines for the District of Columbia. Mr. Cronin received his master of arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice in 1994 from the University of Maryland. GERARD R. MURPHY In this capacity he manages a variety of research, management, and technical assistance projects focusing on law enforcement and homeland security. In addition, he oversees the development of ideas for new projects for PERF. In his 12 years at PERF, Mr.Murphy has directed a variety of research and technical assistance projects and has written or cowritten numerous PERF publications. One of his most recent publications is Managing a Multijurisdictional Case: Identifying the Lessons Learned from the Sniper Investigation. Mr.Murphy also spent 12 years with the Baltimore County Police Department, holding the positions of Assistant to the Chief and Director of Planning and Research. Mr.Murphy holds a master’s degree in policy sciences, has completed extensive work towards his doctorate in policy sciences, and is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute. LISA L. SPAHR She has more than 12 years of experience in research and development in law enforcement, corrections and law, and psychiatry. At PERF, Ms. Spahr managed multiple research projects, including the 2006 Critical Issues in Policing Series, patrol response to suicide bombing threats, redesigning an officer discipline system, and less-lethal weapons’ impact on injuries and liabilities. Prior to joining PERF, Ms. Spahr served as a Project Manager for the University of Pittsburgh, Law and Psychiatry Research Department. Ms. Spahr has also served as an adjunct faculty member, instructing in both law enforcement and psychology coursework, and has managed a community corrections facility in Philadelphia. Ms. Spahr received her bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Temple University, and a master of science degree in investigative psychology from the University of Liverpool, England. JESSICA I. TOLIVER Prior to joining PERF, she served as a Policy Analyst in the Homeland Security and Technology Division at the National Governors Association. Ms. Toliver also completed a fellowship for Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s office in 2003, in which she conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the Michigan State Police’s DNA forensic labs. Ms. Toliver received her bachelor’s degree in political science and journalism from the University of Richmond and her master’s degree in public policy from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. RICHARD E. WEGER Lieutenant Weger has served as a member of the San Jose, California, Police Department (SJPD) since 1990. He has worked Patrol, Youth Services, and Gang Investigations. He left SJPD when he was hired as a Special Agent with the FBI. Two years later, Mr.Weger returned home to the SJPD where he worked as a Field Training Officer and as a high-tech investigator. He also served as aide to Chief of Police Robert L. Davis. He continues to teach police academy recruits in a variety of subjects. Mr. Weger obtained his bachelor’s degree in the administration of justice from San Jose State University in 1993. About the COPS Office THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES (the COPS Office) was created in 1994 and has the unique mission of directly serving the needs of state and local law enforcement. The COPS Office has been the driving force in advancing the concept of community policing and is responsible for one of the greatest infusions of resources into state, local, and tribal law enforcement in our nation’s history. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $11.4 billion to add community policing officers to the nation’s streets, enhance crime fighting technology, support crime prevention initiatives, and provide training and technical assistance to help advance community policing. COPS Office funding has furthered the advancement of community policing through community policing innovation conferences, the development of best practices, pilot community policing programs, and applied research and evaluation initiatives. The COPS Office has also positioned itself to respond directly to emerging law enforcement needs. Examples include working in partnership with departments to enhance police integrity, promoting safe schools, combating the methamphetamine drug problem, and supporting homeland security efforts. Through its grant programs, the COPS Office assists and encourages local, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies in enhancing their homeland security efforts using proven community policing strategies. Traditional COPS Office programs such as the Universal Hiring Program (UHP) give priority consideration to those applicants that demonstrate a use of funds related to terrorism preparedness or response through community policing. The COPS in Schools (CIS) program has a mandatory training component that includes topics on terrorism prevention, emergency response, and the critical role schools can play in community response. Finally, the COPS Office has implemented grant programs intended to develop interoperable voice and data communications networks among emergency response agencies that will assist in addressing local homeland security demands. The COPS Office has made substantial investments in law enforcement training. The COPS Office created a national network of Regional Community Policing Institutes (RCPI) that are available to state and local law enforcement, elected officials, and community leaders for training opportunities on a wide range of community policing topics. Recently, the RCPIs have focused their efforts on developing and delivering homeland security training. In addition, the COPS Office has made a major investment in applied research, which makes possible the growing body of substantive knowledge covering all aspects of community policing. These substantial investments have produced a significant community policing infrastructure across the country as evidenced by the fact that at the present time, approximately 86 percent of the nation’s population is served by law enforcement agencies practicing community policing. The COPS Office continues to respond proactively by providing critical resources, training, and technical assistance to help state, local, and tribal law enforcement implement innovative and effective community policing strategies. About PERF THE POLICE EXECUTIVE RESEARCH FORUM (PERF) IS A NATIONAL organization of progressive law enforcement chief executives from city, county and state agencies who collectively serve more than half of the country’s population. Established in 1976 by 10 prominent police chiefs, PERF has evolved into one of the leading police think tanks.With membership from many of the larger police departments in the country and around the globe, PERF has pioneered studies in such fields as community and problem-oriented policing, racially biased policing, multijurisdictional investigations, domestic violence, law enforcement response to people with mental illnesses, homeland security, management concerns, use of force, and crime-reduction approaches. PERF’s success is built on the active involvement of its members: police chiefs, superintendents, sheriffs, and other law enforcement leaders. The organization also has various types of membership that allow the organization to benefit from the diverse views of criminal justice researchers, law enforcement of all ranks, and others committed to advancing policing services to all communities. As a nonprofit organization, PERF is committed to the application of research in policing and to promoting innovation that will enhance the quality of life in our communities. PERF’s objective is to improve the delivery of police services and the effectiveness of crime control through the exercise of strong national leadership, the public debate of criminal justice issues, the development of a body of research about policing, and the provision of vital management services to all police agencies. In addition to its cutting-edge research and management and technical assistance programs, PERF continues to work toward increased professionalism and excellence in the field through its training, leadership, and publications programs. For example, PERF sponsors the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), conducts searches for communities seeking police chief executives, and publishes some of the leading literature in the law enforcement field that addresses the difficult issues that challenge today’s police leaders. PERF publications are used for training and promotion exams and to inform police professionals about innovative approaches to community problems. The hallmark of the publications program is translating the latest research and thinking about a topic into police practices that can be tailored to the unique needs of a jurisdiction. Bookmark
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This book aims to improve homicide investigations by examining current agency investigative practices and relatively new investigative procedures that may produce more effective investigations.
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