Reference no: EM13768910

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?