Legal investigators are responsible for providing factual evidence as the fact finders, they are the foundation for the attorneys they work with daily. The attorney is responsible for forming and implementing the legal strategy and presenting it to the judge or jury. The legal investigator provides checks and balances to ensure that no evidence i

US - Forensics, Law & Homeland Security.

This text in the area of civil litigation investigation continues to fill the need that has long existed for a general reference work on techniques, procedures and practices in the field of legal investigation. Intended as an educational tool for the lay legal investigator, it is written by an investigator with thirty years experience in legal investigating for trial attorneys and in helping to prepare thousands of civil and criminal cases for trial. In its new revised edition, TECHNIQUES OF LEGAL INVESTIGATION has been completely updated for a new generation of legal investigators and provides the latest pertinent case citations from Appellate and Supreme Court decisions. There are over 400 such case citations in this revised edition. Included are discussions of the law of evidence, interviewing witnesses, forensic photography, and investigation reports. A section on professional ethics has been included and an entire chapter has been devoted to criminal defense investigation. Many new illustrations have been included in this new edition. Investigators who must gather the facts of any occurrence, whether a tort or a crime for eventual presentation before a court or other tribunal should find this book a valuable aid.

This textbook provides students and law enforcement officers with the fundamentals of the criminal investigation process, from arrival on the scene to trial procedures. Written in a clear and simple style, Criminal Investigation: Law and Practice surpasses traditional texts by presenting a unique combination of legal, technical, and procedural aspects of the criminal investigation. The hands-on approach taken by the author helps to increase the learning experience. Criminal Investigation: Law and Practice, Second Edition, has been written to provide future law enforcement officers with a basic understanding of the investigative process. It merges two areas that are crucial to the successful completion of an investigation: the law, both criminal and procedural, and criminal investigative techniques. It is writen to provide the student investigator with the information needed to complete and investigation that can result in a successful prosecution. - comprehensive coverage of the criminal investigation, from arrival on the scene to trial procedures -unique combination of legal, technical, and procedural aspects of criminal investigation -many updated cases, many personally experienced by the author.

The manner in which criminal investigators are trained is neither uniform nor consistent, ranging from sophisticated training protocols in some departments to on-the-job experience alongside senior investigators in others. Ideal for students taking a first course in the subject as well as professionals in need of a refresher, Introduction to Criminal Investigation uses an accessible format to convey concepts in practical, concrete terms. Topics discussed include: The history of criminal investigation in Western society Qualifications for becoming an investigator, the selection process, and ideal training requirements Crime scene search techniques, including planning and post-search debriefing Preparing effective field notes and investigative reports Interviewing and interrogating Types of evidence found at the crime scene and how to collect, package, and preserve it The contributions of forensic science to criminal investigations and the equipment used in crime labs Investigative protocol for a range of crimes, including property crimes, auto theft, arson, financial crimes, homicide, assault, sex crimes, and robbery Specialized investigations, including drug trafficking, cybercrime, and gang-related crime Legal issues involved in criminal investigations and preparing a case for trial Bringing together contributions from law enforcement personnel, academics, and attorneys, the book combines practical and theoretical elements to provide a comprehensive examination of today‘s criminal investigative process. The accessible manner in which the information is conveyed makes this an ideal text for a wide-ranging audience.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: This book is the UPDATED 2018 version that features a practice exam. This book is the SOFT COVER VERSION of the E-Book. For many, this is a popular choice. This book is easier to read than the E-book version, easier on your eyes, and something you can hold in your hand while you relax anywhere you want. Also, the 150 question practice exam is much easier to take using this format than with the E-Book. This book serves three main audiences. The first audience consists of anyone employed or seeking employment as a private investigator, criminal defense investigator, SIU investigator, claims investigator, background investigator, loss prevention investigator, an investigator assigned to a law firm, or any investigator who does not have access to law enforcement restricted information. These readers will find this book a helpful resource guide to conducting a basic investigation. The second audience includes those looking for assistance in learning how to open and manage a California-based investigations agency. The third audience, for which this book has been particularly helpful, involves those preparing to pass the California Private Investigator Exam. Readers in this category have found the discussion about the Business and Professions Code, Penal Code, Civil Code, Civil Code of Civil Procedures, Evidence Code, and the Vehicle Code particularly beneficial. This book also contains information on background investigations, client intake procedures, criminal defense strategies, court procedures, ethics, gathering information, marketing, planning, surveillance techniques, public and private record searches, skip-tracing procedures, traffic collision investigations, trial preparation, and much more. In addition, this book contains legal analyses of court decisions and statutory law. Although nothing in this book can be construed as legal advice, Shaun has hired several attorney-editors to help the reader understand and clarify the book's content. A BOOK WRITTEN BY A POLICE OFFICER, FOR A FELLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. Each year, hundreds of current, former, and retiring law enforcement officers, attempt the transition to private or non-sworn investigator employment. Although the officer may have excelled in his or her former career, starting one's business is challenging. More challenging, is having to function in the private sector without the same resources and authority law enforcement traditionally has - the National Crime and Information Center, the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS), the ability to arrest for impeding an investigation, the cooperation that is generally received when one is a sworn officer, a helicopter, a team of undercover investigators, and a dispatcher. Coming from a law enforcement background, Shaun understands this lack in resources. With this book, Shaun has created a bridge to cover the uncertainties of what a non-sworn investigator can and cannot do with the resources available. A BOOK WRITTEN FOR PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS, ATTORNEY INVESTIGATORS, SIU INVESTIGATORS, CLAIMS INVESTIGATORS, AND OTHER NON-SWORN INVESTIGATORS: Nearly 46% of the Shaun's readers and students come from a non-sworn investigations background. Since they do not come from a law enforcement background, non-sworn investigators are in a great position to navigate around the difficult realm of private sector and civil investigations. However, being in a greater position to navigate the "waters" of private investigation is useless without a map. The California Legal Investigator serves as a guide by being a modern resource aide and a reminder of the standards of the investigations industry. PLEASE ENJOY MY BOOK. IF IT HELPED YOU, PLEASE GIVE IT A 5.0 STAR RATING AS THIS ENCOURAGES OTHERS TO READ THIS BOOK AND HELP FUND FURTHER RESEARCH! Thank you! Shaun Sundahl