Q1) Compare fully the relative nature of TIME and interpersonal communication for investigators as opposed to it for patrol officers.
Usually, there are time limits on the investigations for certain crimes based on the classification of the offense. For example, proceedings for offenses classified as "summary only," which are tried in magistrate's courts, must be commenced within six months since the date the offense was committed. These crimes include assault, harassment, and driving offenses. This indicates that law enforcement agencies should charge (bring information regarding the crime in a magistrate's office) within six months since the offense happened. For all the other violations, the federal government does not give any statutory time limits. This means that law enforcement agencies do not have time constraints for their investigations.
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Q2) Discuss how investigators could use the various forms of NON-DIRECT message delivery effectively.
Detection and positioning systems such as GIS and GPS systems, Gunshot detection systems (GDS), and robotic cameras and drones are indirect message delivery systems that can be used by investigators. These systems enable investigators to communicate with each other while following criminals. Another system is digital video recording which is a practical and affordable approach. Investigators can use the video captured on a digital camera to affirm their case in a court of law. Digital cameras are lightweight and do not take a lot of space. As such, investigators can carry these devices in their uniforms or their patrol car. The videos captured ensures that investigators have vital evidence shots that can be used by the prosecutor. Investigators can also use rapid ID systems, which allow them to access instant information concerning a driver who has been engaged in crime. Officers can check the driver's information at a traffic stop, while access to the driver's license can be achieved using online databases. Also, this system enables the investigators to access information regarding the biometric characteristics of the driver. Investigators then compare this information with those found in criminal databases to determine whether the driver is an offender.
Q3) Explain the important considerations of ORDER and how investigators can use them in arranging the chronology of interviews.
The investigation process is a progression of activities, starting from gathering evidence, analyzing information, developing and validating a theory, forming reasonable grounds to believe, and arresting and charging a suspect. Investigative officers must follow this chronology of events when handling criminal cases. Understanding these steps is essential since criminal incidents are dynamic and unpredictable. Besides, the order in which the events happen and how the evidence and information is availed is also unpredictable. Irrespective of how the events unfold and when the evidence and information was received, the set chronological order should be followed at all times. This happens since, as unpredictable as the criminal events are, the police investigators aim to achieve the same goal. They should always keep the desired results in mind to enhance focus and priority in the whole investigation process.
Q4) Explain how TERRITORIALITY could be used productively by investigators.
Territoriality is a principle in criminal justice that indicates that sovereign states can exercise exclusive jurisdiction over legal persons within their territory. Territoriality states that criminal jurisdiction depends upon the place where the crime was perpetrated. In this case, the jurisdiction is the nation or region in which the crime was committed. This country, therefore, has jurisdiction over the offense. Investigators can use the perspective of territoriality to enhance peace in the domestic and international arenas. As opposed to the location where the offense was perpetrated, the criminal is the main factor within this perspective. As such, nations have jurisdiction over their citizens located in any place in the world. Therefore, investigators can hold offenders accountable for their criminal behaviors even if they committed the offenses in foreign countries.
Q5) Provide an example of how "the action is in the RE action" phenomena could be used effectively by an investigator.
The action vs. reaction phenomena is also known as the shoot-first fallacy. This phenomenon is applied when investigators are following suspects. In this case, when suspects refuse to follow orders by the law enforcement agencies, stop moving or show their hands, the police officers should understand and balance the risk of seeing a gun.
For example, when police officers are chasing criminals in a patrol car and the criminals halt their vehicle, the officer should wait until he has seen the suspect's gun. If the suspect tries to shoot the police officer, he should shoot the offender first. This would balance the risk of having the officer injured or having the officer shoot at an unarmed offender. Before shooting, police officers should take cover by moving at a distance to avoid shooting at an unarmed suspect first. However, if the suspect halts the vehicle and immediately brandishes his gun, the officer should shoot the criminal first to neutralize the situation.
Q6) Discuss the necessity and prominence of dyadic and triadic interpersonal communication skills for the undercover agent compared to the investigator and uniformed officer.
Undercover agents require both dyadic and triadic interpersonal relationships to perform their activities. In dyadic relationships, undercover agents interact with community members to understand the causes of crime and suspects involved in specific areas. In triadic relationships, undercover agents relate with community members and police officers, and their administrators to help determine how to prevent criminal activities in specific areas. However, the investigators and uniformed officers usually rely on dyadic interpersonal relationships where they only relate with their colleagues or criminals when making patrols, identifying criminals, or arresting offenders. Investigators and uniformed police usually engage in triadic interpersonal relationships when interacting with community members during policing initiatives. In such cases, law enforcement agencies interact with specific members who understand the dynamics of crime in the area. These individuals are mandated with the role of reporting criminal activities and identifying the suspects involved. The law enforcement agencies need to keep the information given confidentially to prevent cases where the suspects might revenge.
Q7) Comment upon communication as a "double-edged sword" being particularly critical for undercover work.
Undercover agents are valuable sources of information for the criminal justice system. However, working as an undercover agent is a highly delicate operation, even under the best circumstances. This happens since most people who have access to the inner dealings of criminal organizations are criminals. As such, the most valuable sources of intelligence that investigators can use are the criminals. Mostly, citizens living honest lives do not understand the plans of the criminal gangs or understand how the criminal groups are organized. As such, authorities are forced to recruit lower-level criminals who can work themselves up the hierarchy.
Since the undercover agents are usually criminals, they come with an added baggage of psychopathology and sociopathology. To ensure they are on good terms with criminal groups, they usually continue engaging in criminal activities while still working for the government. The type of criminal activities that these agents are involved in is allowed by the government. The illegal acts committed by the undercover agents can haunt the agency; hence it is necessary to control the agents.
Undercover agents are also motivated by a myriad of factors to engage in their activities. For example, some agents may be motivated by money, promises to have their charges dropped, or revenge against rival gangs. Therefore, the agency should be extra careful when dealing with such agents since they may fabricate information or try to manipulate the authorities. Some undercover agents may end up controlling their agents. When this happens, they fail to follow orders, shut off recorders or recordings, or commit serious crimes while still working for the government.
Q8) Describe the various natures and causes of suspect inquiries with principles and guidelines about dealing with them communicatively.
The inquiry process seeks to get information from a person who has relevant information regarding the crime. Usually, the person with this relevant information is the suspect. Inquiry involves digging into details regarding a particular offense. This involves interviewing people related to the event and understanding their knowledge regarding the incident or anything they witnessed. The main objective of performing the inquiry process is to extract valuable information that would prove whether the offense was committed and the nature of the criminal. If the nature of the crime based on the inquiry is criminal, the investigators seek the other people involved in the offense and put them to trial. Therefore, the inquiry process is the pillar of the criminal justice proceedings since, without it, investigators would not manage to ascertain what happened during the incident. Besides, the inquiry process is the first step that gives way to trial. Without the inquiry process, no trial can occur as the people involved with the criminal incident would not be known.
Q9) Explain the importance of tactically controlling the location and environment of encounters with suspects and provide communicative suggestions for doing so.
Law enforcement agencies should tactically control the location of encountering criminals to prevent being overwhelmed and avoid injuries or deaths. Usually, when officers are running after suspects, they do not know the number of suspects that might be in the car or the armory they may be carrying. It is, therefore, necessary to act tactfully and apprehend the criminals in an area with many officers as it will increase the chances that the officers will overwhelm the criminals. Also, it is necessary for officers to ask for reinforcement in terms of officers and more guns to prevent injuries and fatalities. Besides, apprehending criminals in open spaces would be better than in buildings where suspects can hide and evade being caught. Since officers are trained to shoot at range, they will have a higher chance of defeating the criminals in an open field.
Q10) Describe how an undercover agent could use IDENTIFICATION to persuade a possibly dangerous suspect to follow the agent's suggested procedure for carrying out a drug sale/purchase.
As mentioned above, most undercover agents are former criminals who understand the dealings of the criminal groups. Besides, they know the leaders, most members of the criminal groups. Identification would take the form of a call where the undercover agent would call the “suspect” by name and seek to purchase or sell an illegal drug. All this communication will be recorded by the undercover agent, who will then present the information to the agent concerned. The suspect will then be apprehended by the law enforcement agencies during the actual purchase or sale of the drug and be subjected to the criminal justice system.
