The modern American society is plagued by many crimes among them mass shooting. Scholarly articles have attempted to bring into closer focus the menace of the mass shooting with multiple descriptions being flaunted ( Wortley & Townsley, 2016) . The mass shooting has been described as encompassing incidents that involve multiple victims in violence that is gun-related. Despite the descriptions, the Congressional Research Service in America has acknowledged the absence of an accepted description of the mass shooting. The service describes the mass shooting as a scenario where people are selected by one or more individuals and shot at indiscriminately. In numerous cases, mass shooting may be perpetrated by terrorist groups to advance a political agenda or by people who find it as a way of expressing themselves about certain things that they may be dissatisfied with.
The Globe bar shooting
In the recent past, mass shooting has become rampant with statistics showing that over three hundred incidences of mass shooting have been experienced in America this year alone. One of the many incidences is the shooting at the Globe bar in Arizona that occurred in November ( Abc15.com staff, 2018) . In the shooting, a number of members of the public were confirmed dead after succumbing to the shooting while another one was not injured despite being shot at according to police reports. Among those shot at, police confirmed that two died at the scene while another was taken to hospital in critical conditions. Sources close to the family confirmed that the hospitalized victim, Ashley Sanchez, had her family deciding to bring to an end the life of the victim who apparently was on life support.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
According to an established police report, the shooting was masterminded by a lone gunman who walked into the bar subsequently opening fire ( Abc15.com staff, 2018) . The local Sheriff’s office offered their assistance on the crime scene with a suspect being apprehended. It was noted that the incident did not warrant any fears for public security given that the gathered information showed that there were no ongoing security threats within the community.
Investigative process
Undertaking a successful investigation can be a tedious and long process that requires purposeful documentation of the crime scene conditions as well as collecting physical evidence which could be a game changer in the process ( Wortley & Townsley, 2016) . As an investigator, the first step in the investigative process is scene recognition. Subsequently, I would secure the area with the sole aim of understanding and developing a systematic approach for enabling me to find and collect evidence. As in other investigative processes, this stage would require me to employ my ears, eyes, a pen, and some paper. Securing a crime scene makes it possible to create space where investigations can smoothly be undertaken with investigating officers being able to discuss issues and rest without fear of destroying evidence.
Upon securing the crime scene, my next move would be to involve the area district attorney. It holds that the scene of the mass shooting is a private premise and thus requires a search warrant for me to effectively search the premises. Moreover obtaining a search warrant will be a precautionary measure to ensure that the evidence I have collected will be admitted in court during the process of prosecution. The development of a walk-through is an integral part of the investigative process ( Wortley & Townsley, 2016) . The best walk-through can only be established in the area where little evidence may exist thus making it possible to preserve as much evidence as possible. As an investigator, there will be a need for me to quickly, accurately, and with precision take note of the details that are bound to change with time while looking out for any missing persons and things.
As indicated earlier, it is paramount to undertake proper documentation showing details of the crime scene and available evidence. Having made the documentation will give me the confidence that a person who was not at the scene can make to reconstruct the chronology of events. It is worth keeping in mind that assumptions are not the way to go when making documentation. Additionally, opinions should not come into play but factual observations should be documented without drawing conclusions. Given that my crime scene has involved mass shooting, it is paramount to arrest any suspects and call for ambulatory services so that casualties may be provided with first aid while the critically injured are taken to the hospital for further attention.
Investigation interviews
Any investigator cannot rely solely on the evidence that is collected from the crime scene making it necessary to conduct several investigative interviews as a back-up for collected evidence. As an investigator, I keep in mind that the ways I conduct investigative interviews have a profound influence on the results, efficiency, fairness, and reliability of criminal proceedings. Given that I need to build a solid case based on evidence informs my determination to protect and respect the dignity as well as the integrity of the suspect, witnesses, and victims. As such the investigative interviews should be devoid of coercion and torture for one to be able to acquire as much information as possible.
On my investigative interviews, top priority would be given to constructing the objective of the interview. As such, it will be required of me to construct questions that will provide reliable, accurate, and actionable information. The questions designed will not be aimed at confirming what my thoughts are on the incident since taking such a direction is bent on the collection of unreliable information. Moreover, I would make efforts to create a rapport with the witnesses I am interviewing with the objective of not only collecting reliable information but also as a way of building confidence in the justice system and the witnesses’ perception of the system.
The process of investigation requires that as an investigator I take charge of the interview. However, taking charge ought to be within the interrogation governing practices, rules, and regulations while maintaining the highest possible standards. Open questions should be characteristic of the investigative interview given that they culminate in improved communication flow. It proves important to undertake prior planning of questions to use in the interviews to clear misunderstanding and evade ambiguities subsequently enhancing the probabilities of reliable information. During the investigative interviews, active listening and strategic disclosure of evidence are vital aspects. Making audio recordings of the interview proceedings will assist me to concentrate with the interview by reducing cognitive overloads. Moreover, the witnesses will be provided with an opportunity to chronologically present their information devoid of interruptions coupled with keeping witness information original.
Closing the investigative interview forms the last part of my interview plan with witnesses. Having interacted extensively with witnesses, there is a need to sum up the interview to ensure that a mutual understanding exists concerning the interviewee's account of the crime happenings. In addition, interview closure verifies the aspects covered sufficiently coupled with giving the interview process integrity and legitimacy. It is also paramount to create a link through which future communication may be channeled.
Evidence to collect
Collecting evidence is an integral part of any investigator’s work. In the mass shooting incident at the Globe bar, one of the shreds of evidence that should be collected is the trace evidence. Trace evidence encompasses pieces of evidence that are produced upon contact of several objects usually transferred through heat or contact-induced ( Resnikoff, Ribaux, Baylon, Jendly & Rossy, 2015) . Given the circumstances at the mass shooting crime scene, gun-shot residue would top the list for trace evidence to be collected. Gun-shot residue constitutes residue that is deposited on clothes and hands of an individual while discharging a firearm. In this particular incident, the gun-shot residue will be used to determine the individuals who were near when the gun-shots were fired. Moreover, they will be integral in supporting the case in a court of law if residue found on the suspect is similar to that found at the crime scene.
Additionally, the gun-shot residue is paramount in helping determine witnesses. I would use a knife to collect gun-shot residue and preserve it in a sterile container to present in a forensic laboratory for tests. In addition to collecting gun-shot residue, I would make a point of collecting bullets and casings within the crime scene area. Such pieces of evidence are collected having put on gloves and putting them in separate bags for taking to forensic labs ( Geberth, 2016) . Collected bullets possess serial numbers which help match weaponry used to conduct the crime in addition to being matched with other casings and bullets from other shooting crime scenes. When such matching is made, it will be easier to show the relationship of different criminal cases, deduce the objective of the perpetrator, and narrow confirm or rule out a suspect.
Another important piece of evidence that I would collect as an investigator is body fluids present at the crime scene. Such fluid in the case of the Globe bar mass shooting would include saliva as well as blood. On dead victims, it will be important to collect the sample fluid oozing from the victims’ body. To collect body fluids, I would use smear slides, sterile clothe squares, scissors, or tweezers. Additionally, a blood collection kit will be useful in getting samples mainly from living victims or suspects with the objective of making comparisons ( Fish, Miller, Braswell & Wallace, 2013) . It is critical to study blood patterns that may be present at the crime scene. Studying blood patterns, in this case, will prove pivotal in determining where the gun-shots came from and whether the patterns were created by different incidents.
Fingerprints are also a critical part of the evidence that I would aim at collecting. It is common knowledge that each individual has fingerprints that are specific and no human beings share similar fingerprint patterns ( Baxter, 2015) . Fingerprints collected in the mass shooting crime scene will be important in helping to identify dead victims as well as work a long way in suspect identification. Additionally, fingerprints can be used in ruling out a suspect. In the crime scene, the fingerprints may have been left by the suspect through touching objects. As an investigator, I would use brushes and powder to recover fingerprints then using a tape to lift them as part of the evidence to be used during court proceedings.
Surveillance methods and techniques
Surveillance involves observing vehicles, places, and the movement of people. As an investigator, I would adopt a fixed surveillance technique. In fixed surveillance, an officer is able to observe places and people from a distance. The adoption of this technique would be used only on the premise where the shooting has occurred ( Robinson, 2016) . After undertaking my primary investigation at the crime scene and establishing a suspect, the fixed surveillance technique will come in handy. During this surveillance, I would be able to take photos and make video recordings of the suspect without being noted since the method can use a hidden camera in a place where it will draw the least attention possible. In addition, a stationary technical surveillance would prove useful when manning the shooting suspect. Having hidden cameras makes it easy to keep track of the suspect’s movement and daily routine while seeking connection to the crime which the individual under surveillance is suspected of having perpetrated.
Making a report
Making a report is an important aspect of any investigator. A well-documented report increases the chances of the successful build-up of a court case ( Wyatt, 2014) . As such, an investigator should aim at giving the best shot while developing the report. In my report, I would ensure that I have given every important detail that will give the report authenticity as well as increase chances of building a successful court case.
First, I would give an account of time and the chronology of the various events that took place according to the information collected from the witnesses ( Wyatt, 2014) . A clear indication of when I was called to attend to the crime scene will be one of the time accounts I would give. Additionally, I would indicate my time of arrival at the scene accompanied by a description of the evidence collected. Second, I would give a vivid description of the individuals at the crime scene indicating whether they were victims, bystanders or the perpetrator of the crime. Such description would involve the race, age, gender, and names of the individuals. Additionally, indicating the contact information of them, clothes won, and distinguishing marks would enter my report. Furthermore, there would need to give a narrative of the crime scene and include the information of other officers involved in the investigation. While describing the crime scene, it is important to give an account of victims’ positions and any other relevant object that was present at the scene.
References
Abc15.com staff. (2018, November 15). Globe bar shooting: 4 shot, 3 dead at Jammerz, suspect in custody. Retrieved from https://www.abc15.com/news/region-central-southern-az/other/globe-bar-shooting-one-in-custody-after-shooting-overnight
Baxter Jr, E. (2015). Complete crime scene investigation handbook . CRC press.
Fish, J. T., Miller, L. S., Braswell, M. C., & Wallace Jr, E. W. (2013). Crime scene investigation . Routledge.
Geberth, V. J. (2016). Practical homicide investigation: Tactics, procedures, and forensic techniques . CRC Press.
Resnikoff, T., Ribaux, O., Baylon, A., Jendly, M., & Rossy, Q. (2015). The polymorphism of crime scene investigation: An exploratory analysis of the influence of crime and forensic intelligence on decisions made by crime scene examiners. Forensic science international , 257 , 425-434.
Robinson, E. M. (2016). Crime scene photography . Academic Press.
Wortley, R., & Townsley, M. (Eds.). (2016). Environmental criminology and crime analysis (Vol. 18). Taylor & Francis.
Wyatt, D. (2014). Practicing crime scene investigation: trace and contamination in routine work. Policing and Society , 24 (4), 443-458.
