Developing An Investigation Plan Due Week 7 And Worth 120

Developing An Investigation Plan Due Week 7 and Worth 120

Read the case below and complete this assignment. A child was playing in a local park with his brother. A car pulled up as they were leaving the playground. A man inside the car motioned for the two boys to come over. He asked the boys where the nearest convenience store was located and stated that he was not familiar with the area and asked them to show him the way, offering to take them home afterward. He also promised to buy them whatever they wanted if they agreed to show him. The youngest brother got into the car, and they drove away. The older sibling ran home and reported what happened. The younger brother was not heard from that night, and a police report was filed. The next day, the younger boy's body was found in a dumpster behind a local garage. He had been strangled to death and was nude. As the lead investigator, develop a detailed investigation plan including main steps immediately following the case, methods for evidence collection, anticipated key evidence, and investigative techniques with rationales. Support your responses with at least two credible academic sources.

Paper For Above instruction

As the lead investigator addressing this tragic case, immediate action involves establishing a clear and systematic approach to gather evidence, identify the suspect, and secure the scene. The first step is to secure the crime scene to prevent contamination of evidence, followed by a detailed scene assessment and documentation. This includes photographing the scene, collecting physical evidence, and establishing a perimeter to restrict access to authorized personnel only. Concurrently, interviewing witnesses—such as the older brother and any nearby witnesses—helps gather detailed accounts and identify potential leads. Contacting forensic teams to process the scene for DNA, fingerprints, and biological evidence is crucial in establishing links to the suspect.

Evidence collection methods should prioritize forensic integrity and comprehensiveness. This includes collecting bodily fluids, hair, fibers, and any clothing or personal items found at the scene or on the victim. Since the victim was strangled, analyzing the neck for ligature marks and biological traces is vital. Collecting surveillance footage from nearby cameras or public areas that might have captured the suspect or the vehicle involved is essential. Additionally, canvassing the neighborhood may uncover witnesses who saw the suspect or suspicious activities around the time of the crime.

Anticipated main evidence includes forensic samples such as DNA from the victim and potential suspects, fingerprints on the vehicle or the murder weapon if present, and any physical or environmental evidence linking the suspect to the scene. Other evidence might include fibers or debris inside the vehicle, clothing fibers, or items left by the suspect that could match evidence collected at the scene.

Investigation techniques should leverage modern forensic and intelligence methods. DNA analysis from biological samples can provide definitive matches if suspects’ DNA is available for comparison. Fingerprint analysis can link the suspect if fingerprints are recovered from the vehicle, scene, or items. Surveillance footage analysis and witness interviews serve to generate leads and establish suspect descriptions. Developing a composite sketch based on witness descriptions can facilitate identification. Utilizing data analysis software and criminal databases, such as CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), increases the likelihood of matching evidence to known offenders. The rationale for these techniques is their proven effectiveness in solving violent crimes, especially when physical evidence is available that can establish a clear link to the perpetrator (Bennett & Hess, 2019).

In addition, behavioral analysis may assist in understanding the suspect’s motives and patterns, especially given the sexual and violent nature of the crime. Profiling can narrow down suspect pools and assist in interrogation strategies. Additionally, conducting interviews with family, friends, and community members can uncover motives, behavioral changes, or possible sightings that can support the investigation's progress. Integrating all collected evidence through investigative software helps piece together the timeline and suspect profile, leading to an arrest and prosecution.

References

• Bennett, R. R., & Hess, K. M. (2019). Criminal Investigation. Routledge.
• Swanson, C., Chamelin, N., Territo, L., & Taylor, R. (2018). Criminal Investigation. McGraw-Hill Education.
• FBI Crime Laboratory. (2020). Forensic Evidence Collection and Preservation. Federal Bureau of Investigation.
• Turvey, B. E. (2017). Criminal Profiling: An Introduction to Analytic Profiling. Academic Press.
• Hickman, M., Piquero, A., & Piquero, N. (2020). Using Criminal Profiling in Investigations: An Overview. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 65(3), 890–898.