This text stresses the practical procedures, techniques, and applications of private and public investigations to provide students with a solid foundation in criminal investigation. It seamlessly integrates coverage of modern investigative tools alongside discussion of established investigation policies, procedures, and techniques for the law enforcement officer. The 8th Edition features updated, enhanced coverage of such important topics as terrorism and homeland security, cybercrime, forensics and physical evidence, federal law enforcement investigations, report writing, crimes against children, photography and sketching, preparing and presenting cases in court, and identity theft.

Features:

• A new 4-color design not only provides students with a more visually appealing text but also allows for the inclusion of accurate, full-color technical photos which are extremely valuable to the training of investigators in all aspect of criminal investigations and forensics.
• With the popularity of CSI and similar programs, many students are interested in learning more about forensics, so this edition expands its coverage of forensic techniques and practices (Chapter 5) ? topics such as digital fingerprinting, DNA evidence and databases, ballistics, body fluid collection and examination, contamination of evidence, new technologies, exhibiting evidence in court, and much more.
• Expanded coverage of terrorism and homeland security (Chapter 20) ? includes more complete information on federal investigation, DHS, and thoroughly updated coverage to reflect recent events/developments.
• With many new careers in federal law enforcement recently created that are of particular interest to students, the text includes additional in-depth coverage of the expanding role of federal law enforcement in investigations today (Chapters 11, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20).
• In response to reviewer feedback, the authors have expanded and updated a new Chapter 3: Writing Effective Reports. This chapter had its genesis in Chapter 21 from the 7th Edition. An expanded Chapter 21 is devoted to the role investigators take in preparing and presenting cases in court, a crucial topic for tomorrow's law enforcement professional.
• Chapter 11, Crimes against Children, has been expanded and updated with a particular focus on federal investigations, fighting child pornography, internet sex crimes against children, juvenile prostitution, runaways, abductions, and international investigations.
• Added to Chapter 2, Documenting the Crime Scene, is information on the new types of photography that are changing the ways in which crime scenes are documented. New coverage on sketching and note taking has also been added to this chapter.
• The authors have added updated coverage of identity theft in Chapter 14: Larceny/Theft, Fraud, and White-Collar Crime, including identity theft, money laundering, Nigerian 419 schemes, securities fraud, shoplifting, and embezzlement. And in Chapter 17: Cyber Crime they have also expanded coverage of other Cyber Crime issues, including recent high-profile cases, new technologies in investigative techniques, and new types of crime that are emerging online.
• "Do You Know?" questions open each chapter, highlighting the focus and objectives of that chapter, and helping set the stage for learning. These questions are linked to the Key Concepts with a icon, which helps students discover, review, and remember key investigative strategies.
• "Key Terms" are listed at the beginning of each chapter to help students take ownership of the language of criminal investigations.
• "Key Concepts" are highlighted to help students quickly identify the most important concepts and to answer questions at the beginning of the chapter, to which they are linked by the icon.
• "Checklists" help students envision an actual investigation by guiding them through all applicable steps of investigating particular criminal offenses.
• Ten discussion questions at the end of each chapter present topics for classroom discussion.
• "Applications" in the end-of-chapter material challenge students to apply the concepts they have learned to actual criminal cases.
• Internet Activities guide students through the process of finding information on the web that enriches their understanding of investigations.
• The most recent professional investigation tools and techniques, such as electronic fingerprinting and facial recognition techniques, are covered. "Technology Innovation" boxes highlight the most recent advancements in investigations, such as DNA profiling and databases, 3-D crime scene sketching tools, biometric devices, and new techniques in body scanning for explosives.

Table of Contents:

• 1. Criminal Investigation: An Overview.
• 2. Documenting the Crime Scene: Note Taking, Photographing and Sketching.
• 3. Writing Effective Reports.
• 4. Searches.
• 5. Forensics/Physical Evidence.
• 6. Obtaining Information.
• 7. Identifying and Arresting Suspects.
• 8. Death Investigations.
• 9. Assault, Domestic Violence, Stalking and Elder Abuse.
• 10. Sex Offenses.
• 11. Crimes against Children.
• 12. Robbery.
• 13. Burglary.
• 14. Larceny/Theft, Fraud, and White Collar Crime.
• 15. Motor Vehicle Theft.
• 16. Arson, Bombs, and Explosives.
• 17. Computer Crime and Its Evolution to Cybercrime.
• 18. A Dual Threat: Drug-Related Crime and Organized Crime.
• 19. Criminal Activities of Gangs, Hate Groups and Cults.
• 20. Terrorism and Homeland Security.
• 21. Preparing for and Presenting Cases in Court.