"1RUNNING HEAD Crime Scene InvestigationAssignment 1: Crime Scene InvestigationBy NameCourseInstructorDate 2RUNNING HEAD Crime Scene InvestigationGuidelines for conducting preliminary investigation for a criminal case There are no basic proven investigative methodologies used by law enforcement agenciesdealing with criminal cases since every officer develops own strategies that he/she findsappropriate. The conduct of preliminary investigations begins with the investigator instructingthe patrol officers to preserve the scene of the crime. The officers ought to hold all the witnessesand suspects and also deny them the use of telephones located at the crime scene. Also necessaryis to have an account of all the activities around the crime scene that include an identification ofthe persons who gained access to the scene. Other crucial details to record are the licensenumbers as well as the vehicle information of all the automobiles at the crime scene that aresuspected to have been used to perpetuate the crime. The investigator should observe the entireregion as a whole and note everything that might have occurred at the scene. Any inquiries madeby the investigator should be detailed to ensure that the information gathered is a truerepresentation of what happened before, during, and after the crime incident (Fisher & Fisher,2012).Strategy used by criminal investigators to conduct an efficient follow-up investigation The most important decision made by a criminal investigator is the determinationwhether a follow-up investigation is necessary. For the incidents requiring a follow-upinvestigation, there are several strategies to ensure that they conduct an efficient process. Amongthe strategies are having multiple sources of information from both internal and external sources.The internal sources within the investigative department provide some of the responses to theaspects that were not addressed in the initial investigation. The external sources like the Internet,criminal profiling, and other criminal analysis help in the follow-up process in ensuring that the 3RUNNING HEAD Crime Scene Investigationfollow-up investigation has a rich background of information that would lead to a possible arrestor detailed evidence about the crime. The follow-up investigation should also focus on witnessesand other parties withholding vital information but are unwilling to contact the police about it(Palmiotto, 2012). The best method to encourage communication between the witnesses and thepolice is to have open-ended questions that allow the respondent to share their views accordingto their understanding and memory ability.Comparing and contrasting the key differences in reporting sudden death and rape The two crimes selected are sudden death and the sex-related crimes like rape whosereporting methods are different. Sudden death is regarded as unnatural. Such types of incidentsare reported to the coroner. There are also other guidelines for such deaths where the Coroner isexpected to contact the doctor and establish the cause of the death and the encounter with thedeceased (Basso, et al., 2008). After settling the matter, the Coroner advises the doctor toproceed with the medical certification of the probable cause for it to be recorded at the Registrarof deaths.For the sex-related crime like rape, the survivor ought to report the matter to the police assoon as they experience it. The individual should go to a safe place preferably a home, policestation, hospital or a sexual assault reporting center (Hazelwood & Burgess, 2008). The swiftaction to report ensures that more forensic evidence can be collected by the police for furtherinvestigation. However, other people shy away from the legal process, hence necessary to seekmedical attention for the treatment of injuries, issuing emergency contraception, and assessingfor sexually transmitted infections. The investigative officer issues a case number for easyfollow-up and also records the contacts for traceability. The individual is offered counseling 4RUNNING HEAD Crime Scene Investigationservices to ensure that they recover fully from the ordeal. The decisions made should be based onthe understanding that the goal of reporting and medical examination is for the benefit of thesurvivor, hence are necessary. Characteristics of an effective investigatorFirst are the communication as well as interview skills since they are the backbone ofevery investigative process. Investigators have to interview the victim, witness, or the suspectsusing clear questions to gather as much relevant information as possible (Palmiotto, 2012). Thus,one must be a good listener and identify the variations in the stories given.Next is the ability to control emotions. Quite often, the investigators deal withexperiences that make them upset, surprised, or vulnerable but cannot express it since it harmsthe case (Palmiotto, 2012). The control of emotions helps to provide a conducive environmentfor sharing with the involved parties.Lastly is the ability to research since such skills are crucial during investigations. It isnecessary to have a background check of the activities of the victim, witnesses, and the suspects. Supporting or critiquing a statement I support the argument since the criminal investigation process ought to be balanced inregard to media freedom of access to information and the privacy rights of the crimeperpetrators. At some instances, the media has unregulated access to information thatcompromises the investigation process and also infringes the privacy rights of the perpetrators ofcrime."