Crime Scene Investigation

Crime Scene Investigation

On November 4, 2020, Alissa Cabrera-Espaillat met her death in a cruel manner, ending her big dreams for the future. The 17-year-old lived with her family in one of Pompano Beach’s motel rooms in Florida. The motel is located near a homeless center, jail, and strip clubs. This environment frequently scared the victim. However, she had no choice as the family was forced to live in motels. Prior to the tragedy, there were loud bangs in room 123, which awoke Armando Gonzales, Alissa Cabrera-Espaillat’s stepfather. He peeped through the peephole but could not see the late-night guests due to obstruction. As shown in the motel’s surveillance footage, Armando opened the door slightly and saw a young female who asked for Bill. Close to the woman was a bare-chested teenager Deangelo Concord, who held a gun and covered his face. The young woman was identified as Jayla Leondra Patton. She forcefully tried to barge into the room despite confirming that Bill, the man she was looking for, did not reside there. In the process, she gestured to the young teenager claiming that it was important to confront Bill, who had been disrespectful to her grandmother. Fortunately, Armando was able to bar her entry and shut the door. Immediately, the young teenager shot at the window and hit Alissa Cabrera-Espaillat on her cheek and right shoulder as she leaped out of bed. She succumbed to the injuries after half an hour. The two perpetrators were arrested for first-degree murder and are detained at Broward County Jail without bail (Kelley & Roustan, 2020).

Discuss at least one way data mining can be used in order to conduct an efficient follow-up investigation for this case.

Data mining is a process that allows investigators to discover insights that are reliable statistical, and new. The insights must be actionable from available, undistorted, relevant, and adequate data. Various data mining techniques are applied to detect and investigate a crime. The main objective of including technological advancements in law enforcement is to effectively and proactively prevent the occurrence or recurrence of criminal activities. Most importantly, the law enforcers can accurately convict the actual criminals or law offenders. In this case, entity extraction is critical in the process of investigation. Considering the events leading to the tragedy, Bill was the main target. Unfortunately, the perpetrator shot the wrong person. It is necessary to identify the weapon’s owner. Entity extraction is critical in identifying persons and objects from law enforcers’ reports (Management Association, 2019). In this case, the technique will be helpful in matching the weapon to the owner. Once the owner is found, the investigators should be able to unearth the motive of the crime and the intended target.

Identify the major crimes in this case and specify the reporting procedures.

The major crime in the highlighted case is homicide, where Daengelo Cincord murders Alissa Cabrera-Espaillat. Effective investigation and successful prosecution of offenders rely on efficient reporting. During note-taking, the investigator should record the event’s dates and time and describe the victim, the motel room, and other aspects as they surface. Names of all individuals connected to the crime are necessary, whether guilty or innocent. Verification of the identified individuals is necessary during note-taking. All statements that the witnesses provide, in this case, the family members and the suspects, should be noted down. The facts that occur in each statement are critical for establishing reasonable grounds to believe that the suspects are guilty. After noting all the information from a wide to narrow approach, the investigator should provide a personal opinion regarding the case (Investigation of a Criminal Offense, n.d). This should be done without consulting other investigators to avoid collective note-taking.

Investigators play a critical role in crime prevention and law enforcement against law offenders. They must possess certain characteristics to carry out their duties effectively. First, investigators must be skilled at interviewing individuals. An investigation involves constant questioning of witnesses, victims, and suspects. The ability to interview varied individuals weighs heavily on any case. Second, it is critical for investigators to successfully identify and find potential informants and alternative sources of intelligence. This ability helps the investigators grow a case’s evidence, discover new information, confirm statements from others, and determine the validity of all data within their possession. Third, investigators should be able to maintain and develop evidence. The interview process and search for new information from other sources provide bits that add to existing evidence. Thus, investigators should be in a position to identify additional, reliable, and valid evidence as it surfaces (3). Finally, all investigators should possess relational intelligence to maintain a relationship with all parties involved in a case. Sometimes, the investigators also need to maintain knowledge of the key witnesses, victims, and criminals as well.

Consider the four most important characteristics of an effective criminal investigator and discuss the level of effectiveness that was brought to this case by the investigator. Was the investigation effective? Where could there be improvements?

Information concerning the investigation of this particular case is yet to be revealed to the public as it is ongoing. However, the limited information shows that the Broward Sheriff’s Office investigators possess the necessary traits for effective investigations. Firstly, the investigators acted promptly and arrested the main suspects ensuring they did not escape after committing the crime. Secondly, they obtained key information from the motel, which has surveillance. The ability to identify the hotel as a key source of information is commendable as it provides relevant and reliable evidence. At this point, it is difficult to suggest an improvement strategy as the case’s investigation is ongoing, thus little disclosure of information to the public.

In what way can law enforcement investigators conduct efficient and effective investigations while maintaining the rights of both the victim(s) and the accused(s) in a criminal case?

Investigators are obliged to carry out lawful activities that provide information regarding a criminal case. At the same time, they have to respect the rights of all parties, the victims and suspects. During questioning, investigators should ask clear questions to avoid confusing the respondents. At the same time, the officers should not force, victimize, torture, or threaten the respondents. The interviewee should not be subjected to medication that could interfere with their freedom of expression. Questioning should last for eight hours a day. After this, the interviewees are entitled to rest without delay or interruptions. The law only allows disruptions or delays that safeguard the interviewee or provide critical information to the case (3). At the same time, the investigators should provide breaks during questioning.

Furthermore, the investigators should inform the people being interviewed of their rights. These include the right to remain silent and seek counsel. Questioning individuals without counsel is a violation of the rights of victims or suspects. When dealing with mentally challenged people, an appropriate adult must be present. The present adult may be a relative, guardian, or an individual who has dealt with mentally challenged persons. They must also be independent of the police or the prosecutor’s office. Deaf, dumb and blind individuals should be interviewed in the presence of an interpreter. In case an interpreter is absent, the questions should be written down (3). Observation of these aspects avoids violation of human rights at the interview stage when investigators largely interact with victims and suspects.

Source List

1. Kelley, E., & Roustan, W. K. (2020, November 13). This girl’s life was looking up. Then a shooter came to her motel door. Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2020, from https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/pompano-beach/fl-ne-teen-hotel-killing-update-20201112-5gqa2lzyhjc3jn7fgtf2vwan6e-story.html
2. Management Association, I. R. (Ed.). (2019). Securing the Internet of Things: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications. Hershey: IGI Global.
3. Investigation of a Criminal Offense. (n.d). Retrieved from https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/MC2/MC2-11-Ch8.pdf

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Crime Scene Investigation

Preliminary investigations do not necessarily yield enough information to prosecute a criminal case. Despite a thorough preliminary investigation, many cases require a follow-up investigation.

Crime Scene Investigation

For this assignment, select a recent criminal case in your city or local geographical area from the past six months. Consider how you would investigate this case.

Write a 3–4-page paper in which you:

1. Assemble a set of guidelines based on your textbook readings for conducting a preliminary crime scene investigation for this criminal case.
2. Discuss at least one way data mining can be used in order to conduct an efficient follow-up investigation for this case.
3. Identify the major crimes in this case and specify the reporting procedures.
4. Consider the four most important characteristics of an effective criminal investigator and discuss the level of effectiveness that was brought to this case by the investigator. Was the investigation effective? Where could there be improvements?
5. In what way can law enforcement investigators conduct efficient and effective investigations while maintaining the rights of both the victim(s) and the accused(s) in a criminal case?
6. Cite three references from the past two years. Note: Wikipedia and similar types of websites do not qualify as academic resources.

Clarity, writing mechanics, and formatting requirements.

This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards (See attached). For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:

• Outline the proper guidelines to conduct a preliminary investigation for a criminal case.
• By submitting this paper, you agree: (1) that you are submitting your paper to be used and stored as part of the SafeAssign™ services in accordance with the Blackboard Privacy Policy; (2) that your institution may use your paper in accordance with your institution’s policies; and (3) that your use of SafeAssign will be without recourse against Blackboard Inc. and its affiliates.