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Investigative Procedure Violations in Crime

The document discusses violations of investigative procedures by police officers. It notes that officers are trained in basic investigative protocols but some forget or violate these procedures when trying to quickly solve cases. As an example, it outlines the proper steps for investigating a burglary, including documenting the scene, collecting trace evidence and fingerprints. It states that if an officer collects evidence with bare hands instead of gloves, it could contaminate or lose important fingerprint evidence. The document then discusses the "Fatal Vision" case where Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald was convicted of murder but claims investigative procedures were not properly followed, losing crucial evidence.

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Vivek Surana
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14 views3 pages

Investigative Procedure Violations in Crime

The document discusses violations of investigative procedures by police officers. It notes that officers are trained in basic investigative protocols but some forget or violate these procedures when trying to quickly solve cases. As an example, it outlines the proper steps for investigating a burglary, including documenting the scene, collecting trace evidence and fingerprints. It states that if an officer collects evidence with bare hands instead of gloves, it could contaminate or lose important fingerprint evidence. The document then discusses the "Fatal Vision" case where Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald was convicted of murder but claims investigative procedures were not properly followed, losing crucial evidence.

Uploaded by

Vivek Surana
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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Violations of Investigative Procedures

The crimes has increased to such an extent that, many times officers incharge of investigation

forgets or violates the investigative procedures. When an officer joins police force, he/she is trained

to the extent, to follow basic investigative procedures, these are embeded in them to the extent that

it becomes an habit for them. But, there are officers who tries to solve cases by following orthodox

techniques, thereby violating the basic protocols that needs to be followed.

The evidence and process of investigation will vary when it comes to different kinds of crime. For

example a burglary took place, then the below mentioned tasks would be needed to perform by the

investigating officer.

1. Photograph and document the scene,

2. Collect trace materials (especially from probable points of entry),

3. Collect low-level DNA evidence by swabbing areas of likely contact,

4. Collect other items that may contain biological evidence and

5. Locate and collect latent fingerprints.

Now, if the investigating officer does not collects the traces and touched the evidence with bare

hands without wearing gloves, this would mean that if there was a finger print evidence on that

material, then it would be gone, as the officer used his bare hands to collect or touch the evidence.

Fatal Vision is one of those suspense and real life story, that made a mockery of the

judiciary system. Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald was convicted of murdering his pregnant wife and two

childrens.

Facts:

MacDonald injuries were far more trivial than any of his daughters and wife.

No traces of intruders were found or forceful intervene was there.

It was clear from the investigation that, blood samples were mixed and proper investigation process

was not followed. Crucial evidence were lost like the Skin particles which were found in Colette's
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fingernails, while she was defending herself.

The things that made Jeffrey MacDonald suspect was his inconsistent story and trails of blood that

was found all over his house. His Blood was found all over the kitchen, hall sinks and other places

too.

Conclusion

The district court ruled that, Jeffrey MacDonalds was responsible for all these horrondus crimes. It

was no denying that officers who were incharge, did not do their duty with full responsibility. There

were times in case, where evidence was seemed to be played with. Even the US court of appeal,

discarded MacDonald's undertaking of not doing these murders.


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Reference

[Link]

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