Table of Contents

Foundations. A Brief History of Criminal Investigation. Introducing Criminal Investigation. Preliminary Considerations. Crime Scene Search. Report Writing. Interview and Interrogation. Evidence. The Role of Forensic Science. Property Crimes and Financial Investigations. Vandalism. Larceny and Burglary. Auto Theft. Arson Investigations. Financial Investigation. Crimes against Persons. Homicide and Assault. Sex Crimes. Robbery. Specialized Investigations. Narcotics Investigation. Cybercrime. Gang Investigation. Putting It All Together. Legal Issues in Criminal Investigations. Preparing the Case for Court. Index.

About the Author

Michael Birzer, EdD, is a professor of criminal justice and director of the School of Community Affairs at Wichita State University. His research interests include police behavior, advancing the adult learning theory of andragogy into criminal justice education and training, the intersection of race and police contacts, and qualitative research methods (phenomenology, ethnomethodology, and ethnography). His non-academic experience includes over 18 years of service with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department in Wichita, KS, where he obtained the rank of lieutenant. Books he has co-authored with Cliff Roberson include Introduction to Private Security: Theory Meets Practice (Prentice Hall, 2010); Police Field Operations: Theory Meets Practice (Allyn & Bacon, 2008); and Policing Today and Tomorrow (Prentice Hall, 2007). Cliff Roberson, LLM, PhD, is a professor emeritus at Washburn University and academic chair, Graduate School of Criminal Justice, Kaplan University. He is also managing editor of Police Practices and Research, an international journal. He has written numerous texts and articles on criminal justice and has over 30 years' experience in academia as a professor, dean, and associate vice president. His non-academic experience includes service as Director of Programs, National College of District Attorneys; chief defense counsel for offenders, Texas Board of Criminal Justice; head, Military Law Branch, U.S. Marine Corps Headquarters; and Marine judge advocate.