assignment

1. Are you for or against capital punishment for persons convicted of first-degree murder? Is execution 

of murderers a deterrent to crime? Is media publicity concerning such cases a deterrent to murder? Do 

television shows and movies showing criminal violence contribute to such crimes? Would gun-control 

laws deter murder?

 

2. An investigator is called to a murder scene by the 

patrol officer at the scene. What are the duties and 

responsibilities of the investigator? What activities 

can be performed jointly by the patrol officer and 

the investigator? Who is in charge?

 

3. Under what circumstances is a person justified in 

using force against another person? When is a police 

officer justified in using force?

 

4. What are your state’s laws regarding domestic assault? Is there a mandate or standard for arrest even 

if the victim does not want to pursue charges?

 

5. If two people become involved in a violent struggle 

that seriously injures one or both of them, and if both 

claim the other started the fight, what do you do?

 

 

6. What myths and prejudices have you heard about 

prosecuting rape cases? Are rape cases more difficult to prosecute than other crimes?

 

7.  A case in Oregon received wide publicity because 

a husband was charged with raping his wife during a temporary separation and was acquitted. 

Do you agree with this verdict? If so, are there circumstances under which such a charge should be 

supported?

 

8. How vigorously should sex offenses such as sodomy, 

indecent exposure and prostitution be investigated? 

Should unnatural sexual acts between consenting 

adults be considered criminal acts?

 

9. In a robbery of a neighborhood grocery store, how 

important is citizen information? Should a neighborhood check be made if the incident occurred 

at 3 a.m.? How would you attempt to locate two 

witnesses who saw the robber enter the store if the 

owner does not know their names? How else could 

you develop information on the robber’s description, 

vehicle and the like?

 

10. If a robber takes a hostage inside a building, what 

are immediate considerations? If the hostage situation is not resolved in the first 15 minutes, what 

must be considered? Should a police officer offer to 

take the hostage’s place? What might you say to the 

robber to induce him or her to release the hostage? 

To surrender after releasing the hostage?

 

11.  Many people think of burglary and robbery as interchangeable terms. What is the principal difference 

between these two offenses from an investigative 

viewpoint?

 

12. Is it legal to “steal back” your own property if someone has stolen it from you?

 

13.  Is there a difference in the severity level of a burglary 

if it is committed on an occupied residence rather 

than an unoccupied one, such as a furnished rental 

property that currently has no tenants?

 

14. Larceny has been called the most underreported 

crime in the United States. What factors might account for failure to report larceny? Is there a way to 

determine how many larcenies actually occur when 

you consider shoplifting, bicycle thefts and minor 

thefts of property that victims may regard as having 

been simply lost or misplaced?

 

15. A man has been arrested for shoplifting and taken 

to the police station for booking. During the search 

for this offense, the police discover several credit 

cards that are not issued in the name of the person 

arrested. What offense is involved? Is there a separate offense from the original offense of shoplifting? 

Can the person be tried on both offenses? What 

procedure is necessary to prove the second charge?

 

16. How do juvenile and professional auto thieves differ 

with regard to motive and type of vehicle stolen? Are 

there different methods for locating each?

 

17. Does the value of the stolen vehicle affect the charge 

made? The punishment?

 

18. Do you agree that investigating arson cases is the 

joint responsibility of police and fire departments? 

Which department should be in charge?

 

19. Arson has a low conviction rate. What factors make 

an arson investigation difficult? What factors make 

prosecution difficult?

 

20.  What agencies outside the police and fire departments can assist in an arson investigation? Who 

would you contact? What services could they provide?