Private Security and the Investigative Process, Fourth Edition

Contents Preface............................................................................................................................................ xiii Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................................xv Author Bio.......................................................................................................................................xvii Chapter 1 Introduction to the Private Security Industry and the Investigative Process................1 1.1 The Private Security Industry: Overview and Context......................................1 1.1.1 The Contemporary State of Private Security........................................1 1.1.2 Classifications and Functions of the Private Security Industry............3 1.2 The Private Security Industry and Privatization................................................4 1.3 The Role of Private Security and the Investigative Process............................. 11 1.3.1 Investigative Activities Commonly Encountered by Private Security................................................................................... 14 1.4 Conclusion and Final Thoughts........................................................................ 17 Notes............................................................................................................................ 19 Chapter 2 General Characteristics of a Competent Investigator..................................................23 2.1 Introduction......................................................................................................23 2.2 A Private versus Public Mentality....................................................................23 2.2.1 Objectivity and Investigative Practice.................................................26 2.2.2 Logic and Investigative Practice.........................................................27 2.2.3 Perseverance, Diligence, and Investigative Practice...........................29 2.3 Human Relations Skills and Investigative Practice.......................................... 31 2.4 Ethics and the Investigative Process................................................................ 33 Notes............................................................................................................................ 43 Chapter 3 Interview and Case Evaluation.................................................................................... 47 3.1 Introduction: The Interview and the Investigator............................................. 47 3.2 Initial Interview................................................................................................48 3.2.1 Initial Interview: Administrative Requirements.................................49 3.2.1.1 Authorization and Release...................................................50 3.2.1.2 Interview Information or Fact Sheets.................................. 51 3.2.1.3 Follow-Up Letter................................................................. 71 3.2.2 Recording Interview Impressions....................................................... 74 3.3 Case Evaluation and Subsequent Interviews.................................................... 75 Notes............................................................................................................................ 79 Chapter 4 Witness Testimony and Evidence in the Private Security Industry............................ 81 4.1 The Purpose of Witnesses................................................................................ 81 4.2 Types of Witnesses...........................................................................................82 4.2.1 Missing or Unknown Witnesses..........................................................82 4.2.2 Lay Witnesses......................................................................................83 4.2.3 Expert Witnesses.................................................................................85 4.2.3.1 Qualifications of the Expert.................................................85 4.2.3.2 Sources of Expert Witnesses...............................................93 4.2.3.3 Expert Service Contracts.....................................................94 4.2.4 Character Witnesses............................................................................96 4.3 Processing Witnesses.......................................................................................96 4.4 Conclusion........................................................................................................99 Notes............................................................................................................................99 Chapter 5 Collection of Information.......................................................................................... 103 5.1 The Nature of Information and the Rules of Collection................................ 103 5.2 Leads and Contacts for the Private Investigator............................................. 106 5.3 Public Sources of Information........................................................................ 108 5.3.1 Federal Agencies............................................................................... 110 5.3.2 State and Local Agencies.................................................................. 111 5.4 Private Sources of Information...................................................................... 113 5.4.1 Directories, Databases, and Atlases.................................................. 113 5.4.1.1 Business Databases............................................................ 115 5.4.1.2 Miscellaneous Databases................................................... 115 5.4.2 Libraries............................................................................................ 116 5.4.3 Newspapers....................................................................................... 117 5.4.4 The Internet and Web-Based Searches............................................. 118 5.4.4.1 Social Media Searches....................................................... 118 5.4.5 Professional Associations and Groups.............................................. 118 5.4.6 Auto Records..................................................................................... 119 5.5 The Background Investigation........................................................................ 119 5.6 Real Property Title Search............................................................................. 122 5.7 Conclusion...................................................................................................... 125 Notes.......................................................................................................................... 125 Chapter 6 Collection of Evidence and Preservation of the Scene............................................. 129 6.1 Investigative Technique: Initial Scene Visitation........................................... 129 6.2 Investigative Technique: Preliminary Evidence Collection Strategies.......... 133 6.3 Investigative Technique: Scene Sketches and Other Graphic Portrayals....... 144 6.3.1 Rules for Sketching........................................................................... 144 6.3.2 Rules for Measuring.......................................................................... 147 6.4 Investigative Technique: Photographic Evidence........................................... 148 6.4.1 Location of Crime Scene................................................................... 150 6.4.2 Photography and Special Applications............................................. 150 6.4.2.1 Vehicular Accidents and Related Auto Claims................. 150 6.4.2.2 Bodily Injuries and Photographic Method........................ 154 6.4.2.3 Arson/Insurance Fraud and Photographic Evidence......... 156 6.4.2.4 Burglary/Criminal Trespass/Forcible Theft and Photographic Evidence...................................................... 156 6.4.2.5 Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Photographic Evidence...... 157 6.5 Investigative Technique: Documentary Evidence.......................................... 159 6.5.1 Police Records................................................................................... 159 6.5.1.1 Alcohol or Chemical Reports............................................ 159 6.5.1.2 Accident Reports............................................................... 159 6.5.1.3 Domestic Relations Documentation.................................. 159 6.5.1.4 Radio Logs......................................................................... 159 6.5.1.5 Arrest Reports—Narcotics................................................ 159 6.5.1.6 Violence in the Workplace................................................. 159 6.5.1.7 Missing Person Reports..................................................... 163 6.5.1.8 Disposition Sheets.............................................................. 163 6.5.1.9 Suspect Descriptions.......................................................... 163 6.6 Investigative Technique: Medical Records..................................................... 167 6.7 Investigative Technique: Records Involving Economic Damages................. 173 6.8 Investigative Technique: Preservation of Evidence........................................ 175 6.9 Conclusion...................................................................................................... 182 Notes.......................................................................................................................... 183 Chapter 7 Surveillance Techniques........................................................................................... 187 7.1 Purposes and Functions.................................................................................. 187 7.2 Tactics and Strategy in Surveillance.............................................................. 189 7.2.1 What Are the Steps of Surveillance?................................................ 189 7.2.2 The Precise Objective of Surveillance.............................................. 191 7.2.3 The Location of Surveillance............................................................ 192 7.2.4 Time of Surveillance......................................................................... 192 7.2.5 The Subject or Target of Surveillance............................................... 192 7.3 Surveillance: Preparatory Steps..................................................................... 194 7.3.1 Personal Behavior and Attire............................................................ 194 7.3.2 Surveillance Equipment.................................................................... 194 7.3.2.1 CCTV Equipment.............................................................. 195 7.3.2.2 Photographic/Video Equipment........................................ 197 7.4 Types of Surveillance.....................................................................................200 7.4.1 Stationary Surveillance..................................................................... 201 7.4.2 Moving Surveillance......................................................................... 201 7.4.2.1 Foot Surveillance............................................................... 201 7.4.2.2 Auto Surveillance..............................................................204 7.4.3 Hybrid and Other Special Surveillance Techniques......................... 212 7.4.3.1 Foot and Auto Surveillance............................................... 212 7.4.3.2 Surveillance at Bus Stops.................................................. 213 7.4.3.3 Use of Pretext..................................................................... 213 7.5 Surveillance Forms and Reports.................................................................... 216 7.6 Conclusion......................................................................................................220 Notes.......................................................................................................................... 221 Chapter 8 Report Writing...........................................................................................................223 8.1 Introduction....................................................................................................223 8.1.1 Report Writing Promotes Efficiency in the Investigative Process.......223 8.1.2 Reports and Memory.........................................................................224 8.1.3 Investigative Reports and Organizational Method............................224 8.1.4 Investigative Reports as Proof of Services Rendered.......................225 8.2 Investigative Report Writing: Standards for Authorship................................225 8.2.1 Investigative Field Notes: A Preliminary Step..................................226 8.2.2 The Essential Qualities of an Investigative Report: Accurate, Brief, and Complete..........................................................227 8.2.3 Investigative Report Design..............................................................229 8.3 Standard Reports for the Private Investigator................................................ 231 8.3.1 Investigative Activity Reports........................................................... 232 8.3.1.1 Daily Reports..................................................................... 232 8.3.1.2 Review Reports.................................................................. 232 8.3.1.3 Patrol and Observation Reports......................................... 232 8.3.1.4 Surveillance Reports.......................................................... 232 8.3.1.5 Missing Person Reports..................................................... 232 8.3.1.6 Undercover Investigation Reports.....................................238 8.3.1.7 Bomb Search Reports........................................................238 8.3.1.8 Inspection Reports.............................................................238 8.3.1.9 Security Incident Reports.................................................. 239 8.3.1.10 Investigative Reports......................................................... 239 8.3.1.11 Traffic Reports...................................................................248 8.3.1.12 Property Reports................................................................248 8.3.1.13 Basic Security Survey........................................................249 8.3.2 Major Criminal Documentation........................................................ 253 8.3.2.1 The Offense Report........................................................... 253 8.3.2.2 Arrest Report.....................................................................254 8.3.2.3 Defendant’s Statement.......................................................254 8.4 Conclusion...................................................................................................... 259 Notes.......................................................................................................................... 259 Chapter 9 Investigative Method and Technique: Theft/Property Offenses............................... 261 9.1 Introduction.................................................................................................... 261 9.2 Shoplifting and Retail Theft...........................................................................264 9.2.1 Rationalizations and Justifications for Shoplifting and Retail Theft.......................................................................................264 9.2.2 Shoplifting Methods..........................................................................265 9.2.3 Shoplifting Identification................................................................... 267 9.2.4 Shoplifting Investigation...................................................................268 9.3 Internal Theft by Employees..........................................................................269 9.3.1 Reasons and Rationales for Internal Theft........................................ 270 9.3.2 Theft Strategies................................................................................. 271 9.3.3 Investigating Theft............................................................................ 272 9.3.4 Obtaining Confessions or Statements............................................... 273 9.4 Burglary and the Private Investigator............................................................. 275 9.5 Defensive Techniques to Minimize Property Losses from Theft and Burglary.........................................................................................282 9.5.1 Tactics and Strategies........................................................................282 9.5.1.1 Site Security Surveys and Their Application....................282 9.5.1.2 Determining Organizational Characteristics.....................282 9.5.1.3 Theft Tests.........................................................................282 9.6 Missing or Stolen Property............................................................................. 291 9.7 Conclusion...................................................................................................... 295 Notes..........................................................................................................................295 Chapter 10 Investigative Method and Technique: Insurance Cases............................................299 10.1 Introduction....................................................................................................299 10.2 Investigative Application and Method in Specific Cases...............................300 10.2.1 Insurance Property Claims in Fire and Arson..................................300 10.2.2 Workers’ Compensation....................................................................309 10.2.3 Disability Claims.............................................................................. 316 10.2.4 Auto Liability Claims........................................................................ 317 10.2.4.1 Policy Declaration............................................................. 318 10.2.4.2 Processing the Auto Liability Case................................... 320 10.3 Special Problems: Auto Theft, Fraud, and Parts Pilferage............................ 328 10.3.1 Auto Identification Systems.............................................................. 331 10.3.1.1 VIN Systems...................................................................... 331 10.3.1.2 Parts................................................................................... 332 10.4 Conclusion...................................................................................................... 333 Notes.......................................................................................................................... 333 Chapter 11 Investigative Method and Technique: Background Investigations............................ 337 11.1 Introduction.................................................................................................... 337 11.2 Background Investigation Basics.................................................................... 339 11.3 Background Issues.......................................................................................... 342 11.3.1 Establishing Identity..........................................................................344 11.3.2 Employment History......................................................................... 350 11.3.3 Credit History.................................................................................... 354 11.4 Alternative Methods of Background Review.................................................365 11.4.1 References.........................................................................................365 11.4.2 Consultative Services........................................................................368 11.4.3 The Polygraph Test............................................................................369 11.5 Comprehensive Background Report...............................................................369 11.6 Conclusion...................................................................................................... 375 Notes.......................................................................................................................... 375 Chapter 12 The Security Office: Administrative Issues.............................................................. 379 12.1 Some General Principles of Office Administration....................................... 379 12.2 Timekeeping Methods.................................................................................... 381 12.3 The Value of Administrative Documents....................................................... 382 12.3.1 Software Considerations................................................................... 385 12.4 Filing Systems................................................................................................ 388 12.4.1 Setup and Maintenance..................................................................... 388 12.4.2 Tickler Files.......................................................................................390 12.4.3 Software Considerations................................................................... 392 12.5 Billing............................................................................................................. 392 12.5.1 Software Considerations...................................................................404 12.6 Conclusion......................................................................................................407 Notes..........................................................................................................................407 Index...............................................................................................................................................409