An applied science incorporates the discipline of the scientist using existing scientific know-how to seek either application to technology or inventions. Engineering is an applied science. By incorporating scientific rigor, knowledge and applications the forensic method (applied science applicable to the legal environment) and investigative practices would qualify as an applied science.
Police VS Private Detective Investigations
The criminal investigator studies the facts, including evidence, testimony within the existing circumstances and applies this knowledge to identify, locate and prove guilt or innocence of the accused of committing a criminal act. This is accomplished by serving search warrants, interviews and interrogations and collection of evidence applied to defined circumstances. The primary difference, though the goal is the same, between the private sector and law enforcement is that the private investigator cannot serve warrants. However, there are court instruments that can be issued to assist the investigation.
Criminal Cases in Civil Courts
Private criminal investigators are best utilized in fraud, embezzlement and theft situations. Undercover business operations assist in catching theft on the docks, in the warehouse and on the retail floor. Management and administrative unlawful appropriation of goods and funds are common. Most states have some sort of intellectual property theft statutes that criminalize the theft of proprietary information and intellectual property. In many cases law enforcement does not have the resources to pursue these cases. For theft, the value of property needs to set and identified before law enforcement can take on the case. Only through attorney, CPA and other professionals and experts can value be assigned to the loss. That is why many of these cases are adjudicated in civil courts rather than criminal courts.
Probable Cause
First step is to establish probable cause that a criminal act has been committed, and the facts and circumstances conform to state statutes for the definition of the crime alleged. Probable cause is the facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a crime has been committed. Probable cause; defined and incorporated in American law is loosely defined, highly circumstantial and a bit ambiguous. Can’t be really explained but is said “you know it when you got it.”
Collecting Crime Scene Evidence
Next order of the investigations is to collect evidence that will identify and locate the offender. In cases where the crime is confrontational, like robbery, murder or battery the identity is usually known or can be determined. But identity of the accused and his/her association link to crime cannot be ambiguous, it must be a surety. In cases like fraud and embezzlement the ‘who’ is usually known, the question of the ‘how’ becomes the primary investigative task. The collection of evidence includes witnesses and physical evidence. Physical evidence includes finger prints, blood, hair and dermis samples, shoes, tire print photos or castings, and tool marks. Witnesses are sought for interviews, and suspects are interrogated. US law does not prohibit trickery, deception or suggestibility in interrogations. Photographic evidence still retains its utility as evidential documentation, even with the modern abilities available to modify digital image evidence. Audio evidence pushes the boundary of privacy issues and must be used with restraint. The primary issue involving any physical evidence concerns the ‘change of custody’ any transfers of the evidence must be documented. The evidence must be package and the packages sealed to prevent tampering. Most agencies, public and private have well developed documentation and policy and procedures concerning evidence.
Criminal Private Investigator Services in Greater Miami, Sunny Isles, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton & Miami Gardens Florida
The private investigator is uniquely equipped and capable of performing criminal investigations that would not qualify for law enforcement evidence because of a needed threshold of available probable cause to start an investigation because of scarce resources. The private investigator is not limited to the policy and procedure limitations of that plague representatives of the state. Contact Advanced Private Investigator & Security of Fort Lauderdale Florida for your criminal, civil and other investigations.
