Section 1
Property crime entails taking of property without involving threat or force against the victim. It includes motor vehicle theft, shoplifting, arson, larceny, burglary, as well as vandalism. Motor vehicle theft is among the common forms of property crime. There are several criminal motivations for motor vehicle theft. These include financial gain, commercial, spare parts, object to commit other crimes, as well as transportation. In most cases, those who are involved in motor vehicle theft are motivated by the financial gain (Stauffer & Bonfanti, 2006). In fact, they need money to meet their gambling, drug and alcohol addiction. Financial gains tend to be the main criminal motivators. Also, mot vehicles are stolen and be resold. Criminals steal motor vehicles it to commit other crimes. The stolen car is abandoned after a crime has been accomplished.
A first responding officer plays a key role to any property crime. During a motor vehicle theft, the investigating officer should capture and documents the crime scene in the purest state. Identification of witness and recording of statements are the initials stages for car theft investigation (Hess & Orthmann, 2010). Immediately, the investigating officer should broadcast detailed suspect description and update on more information about the theft.
VIN (vehicle identification number) is the unique code that is used by automobile companies to identify vehicles, motorcycles and scooters. VIN play a key role in a motor vehicle theft investigation. It enables the investigating officer to identify a stolen vehicle. This is because the VIN can be found on the exterior and interior of a vehicle.
Motor vehicle thieves duplicate the car keys and use a simple tool to get entry into the car. The tools are simple to ensure that no damage is caused on the vehicle. Also, thieves tend to avoid suspicion from the onlookers. Thieves use technological devices to remove the lock. Other techniques include removal of VIN, additional of new VIN, and replacement of parts that are numbered (Stauffer & Bonfanti, 2006).
Chop shop is a critical local for motor vehicle thieves. It is used to disassemble the stolen automobiles and selling the parts. Chop shops are illegal forms of garages that specialize in buying and disabling stolen vehicles. Investigators identify the chop shops by tracing crime syndicates. They establish links on the disappearance of vehicles then find a search warrant for a suspected chop shops.
Motor vehicle fraud occurs in various ways. The common examples of frauds include failure to disclose all information to customers, bait and switch advertisement, providing false information about the status of the car, forged documents, and obtaining vehicle registration unlawfully.
Section 2
Burglary entails entering inti a building illegally with an intention of commuting crime. There are various types of burglaries. In most cases, burglars are opportunists who seek chances to support their habits and behaviors that require cash. Some of the examples of burglaries include aggravated burglary, home invasion, simple burglary, and looting. The burglaries are executed by different types of burglars. These types of burglars include the hunter, the specialist, the prowler, as well as the common and simple. Aggravated burglary entails the criminal gaining unauthorized access and causes harm to a person. The intruder in such situations has weapons that are a threat to the person in the structure (Hess & Orthmann, 2010). Home invasion is a type of burglary whereby the burglar does not know that the structure is inhabited. The invader predicts the presence of a person and premeditates to use force and violence against the individual. Home invaders are imprisoned for 20 years.
Looting is another type of burglary. It refers to the indiscriminate taking of property by force. The looters take advantage of the situations that are unprotected due to rioting, hurricane, and disasters. Based on the nature of environments, looting is a crime that occurs because of the egregious instances. Simple burglary is the act of entering into an unauthorized structure with the intent to steal. The burglars focus on easy targets, such as unlocked doors and open windows.
Burglary investigation is very crucial, especially in identifying ways to prevent a burglar from accessing structures. The investigation begins by selecting a team dedicated at investigating every instance of burglary. An investigation pack is required to ensure that coordinated and professional investigation is carried out. The first step is the immediate preservation of the crime scheme to facilitate maximum forensic opportunities. Also, it is essential to identify various issues in the scheme of crime. These include method and point of entry, type of property stolen, and the style of offense (Hess & Orthmann, 2010). The stolen property should accurately be described, which include identification of marks and serial numbers. Inquiries are then carried out within the vicinity and alert residents of the crime. Recording witness statements and analyzing the security systems in the structure. The neighbors are interviewed to find out what they saw or heard. The investigating team has to process the scene of the crime and connect all links that will assist in trailing the burglar.
The main focus on investigation is to seek out evidence for the prosecution and recover the stolen property. The property is recovered by following the trails. Some property can be traced by the investigation officers. For example, credit cards can be traced using electronic transitions. The evidence collected by the forensic investigator assist in tracing the trails. The recovered property is always checked for distinguished features and security markings. Inquiries on second-hand shops and online sites are essential leads towards recovering stolen property.
Section 3
Technology plays a tremendous role in property crimes. It is worth noting that advancement of technology has assisted in reducing property crimes. There are real cases whereby technology assisted in arresting thieves. Thieves were arrested for stealing two cars in Jacksonville. The thieves were caught on camera carrying out the crime. The cars that were stolen were recovered later in Dunns Creek Plantation. In this case, the camera played a critical role in leading investigators towards the suspects. Also, the investigators used technology to trace the cars. The built-in GPS was used by investigators to trace the stolen cars and arrest the suspects (Calloway, 2016). Analytically, the case indicates that technology plays a vital role in property crimes.
Technology plays a role in property crimes. Advancement in technology has led to the new application for detection and surveillance of property crime. For example, there is a portable personal alarm system that enables people to alert a neighbor for assistance when the need arise. CCTV (closed circuit television) is a form of technology that facilitates in the identification of criminals and deterring criminals from committing a crime. Also, location and tracking technology have emerged (Savona, 2004). These devices enable investigators to recover stolen property, especially an automobile. Web reporting and smartphone applications have played a key role in preventing property crime and assisting in the recovery of stolen property.
Technology has made issues of crime very complicated. At one perspective it has made it difficult to commit a crime, and at the same time, it has made it easy to commit some crimes. For example, the internet has been exploited for various options (Savona, 2004). Cybercrime becomes easier to commit. Criminals have gained access to personal information that is used to commit cybercrime.
Technology assists in the investigation through forensic science. For example, computer forensics assist investigators in analyzing data and recovering information. The information recovered assists in identifying and arresting criminals. Technology is also used to identify the fingerprints and other evidence that are collected in the scene of the crime.
References
Calloway, E. (2016). Car Thieves Caught on Camera, Two Arrested. New4Jax
Hess, K. M., & Orthmann, C. M. H. (2010). Criminal investigation. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar, Cengage Learning.
Savona, E. U. (2004). Crime and technology: New frontiers for regulation, law enforcement, and research. Dordrecht: Springer.
Stauffer, E., & Bonfanti, M. S. (2006). Forensic investigation of stolen-recovered and other crime-related vehicles. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Academic Press.
