What Happens During a Criminal Suspect Search?

During a pre-arrest investigation, police officers can speak to a suspect’s friends, family members, and neighbors for information that could help with the case. They may also frisk the individual or search his/her car, house, office, etc. 심부름센터

A search incident to arrest doesn’t need a warrant. It must be contemporaneous in time and area with the arrest.

Obtaining an Accurate Description

When a crime occurs, law enforcement officials begin to look for suspects. This includes examining the crime scene, interviewing witnesses and conducting background checks on individuals who may have a motive or opportunity to commit an offense.

It is important to be able to describe a criminal suspect accurately. This can be accomplished by noting their clothing, facial features and possible tattoos. In addition, officers should pay attention to the suspect’s stance and posture. Officers should also notice whether the suspect is wearing a hat or has any type of facial hair.

Often, suspects attempt to conceal their appearance in order to evade detection. This can be especially true if the suspect is trying to hide in plain sight. For this reason, it is important for investigators to be able to identify suspects through a variety of means including photographic and live lineups. Attempting to bluff a suspect out of hiding can sometimes backfire, however.

Observing the Scene

Detectives and investigators should observe the scene of the crime, taking notes on what they see. They will usually begin with a walk through the area along what is referred to as the “trail of the crime.” The investigators should examine the ground in this area and also any items on the floor that may be trace or latent evidence.

They will usually note if there is any debris that has been thrown into the area, areas where someone may have attempted to clean up and what the general condition of the scene is. For example, is there a lot of weeds or brush that could cover up valuable evidence?

Access to the crime scene should be restricted and the investigators should take precautions not to disturb or destroy any evidence. Even the mere presence of a police officer can grind a fingerprint into the floor or smear it with their hands. Police officers should keep their hands occupied by holding notebooks, pencils and flashlights to prevent accidental deposits of fingerprints on them.

Observing the Suspect

Observation of the suspect is critical to an investigation. This includes noting his location at the time of the crime, noting his physical appearance and noting the type and condition of his vehicle. Investigators also take into account a suspect’s motive, opportunity and propensity to commit the crime, as well as an evaluation of circumstantial evidence.

Once the suspect has been identified, he can be questioned. Investigators will inform the suspect of his rights, such as his right to remain silent, but should try to encourage collaboration through empathetic listening and respect.

Investigators should offer a suspect the chance to explain the evidence that led to his arrest in hopes of exonerating him as a criminal suspect. For example, the young man questioned by the police who was found standing under a tree at 3AM near the scene of a break-in could have explained that he lived nearby and came outside to check on the alarm when he heard it.

Obtaining a Warrant

A warrant is an order signed by a judge or magistrate that authorizes police officers to search a person or place for evidence of a crime. In some situations the police may be able to search your property without a warrant, but in most cases a warrant is required. To obtain a search warrant the police officer must submit an affidavit to a judge or magistrate that recite sufficient factual information to show probable cause that there is a fair probability that contraband or evidence will be found in the place searched.

It is a good idea to ask to see the warrant before allowing police to search your home. Sometimes clerical errors such as misspellings are made, but unless the error is a major misidentification or is so glaring that it could have easily been corrected by an ordinary citizen, it probably shouldn’t invalidate the warrant. After a suspect has been identified, the police will present the information to the District Attorney’s office, which will determine whether or not to file charges. At that point the suspect will be arrested and taken to a precinct where he or she will be fingerprinted and photographed.