Avoid Major Investigative Traps

What causes competent and dedicated investigators to make avoidable mistakes, jeopardizing the successful resolution of their cases? Authored by a 21-year police veteran and university research professor, Criminal Investigative Failures comprehensively defines and discusses the causes and problems most common to failed investigations. More importantly, it outlines realistic strategies for avoiding investigative pitfalls.

Illuminated with case studies, this practical resource examines three main reasons for investigative failure:

• Cognitive biases, such as tunnel vision, that lead to mistakes in reasoning
• Organizational traps, such as groupthink, that investigators fall prey to within their agencies
• Probability errors, such as the prosecutor's fallacy, in forensic science and criminal profiling

The Dangers of Assumptions and Organizational Ego

Authoritative contributors from a variety of disciplines elaborate on the aforementioned core points with commentary and case studies of well-known crimes. Written in a quick-to-grasp style, this useful text provides practical advice for avoiding investigative failures. It is an invaluable reference for investigators looking to prevent future failures of justice and find the truth.

Reviews

This book is absolutely required reading for any professional in the law enforcement, emergency services, forensic medicine, or forensic psychology field who has to make complex decisions.
-Daniel Clark, Editor of International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, Vol. 11, No. 4, 2009

This topic is vitally important for not only understanding the causes and prevention of failures, but for understanding and measuring success.
-John Eck, University of Cincinnati, Department of Criminal Justice

The concepts and strategies outlined in this book are invaluable for helping to accomplish an investigator's primary objective: 'find the truth.' For those of us who care deeply about investigative excellence and justice, particularly police investigators, this book is a 'must read.'
-Doug A. LePard, Deputy Chief Commanding Investigation Division, Vancouver Police Department, Canada, From the Preface

This book is absolutely required reading for any professional in the law enforcement, emergency services, forensic medicine, or forensic psychology field who has to make complex decisions.
-Daniel Clark, Editor of International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, Vol. 11, No. 4, 2009

This topic is vitally important for not only understanding the causes and prevention of failures, but for understanding and measuring success.
-John Eck, University of Cincinnati, Department of Criminal Justice

The concepts and strategies outlined in this book are invaluable for helping to accomplish an investigator's primary objective: 'find the truth.' For those of us who care deeply about investigative excellence and justice, particularly police investigators, this book is a 'must read.'
-Doug A. LePard, Deputy Chief Commanding Investigation Division, Vancouver Police Department, Canada, From the Preface

Book Information
ISBN 9781420047516
Author D. Kim Rossmo
Format Hardback
Page Count 400
Imprint CRC Press Inc
Publisher Taylor & Francis Inc
Weight(grams) 670g