Responses should be 250 words with 1 reference

Response 1

Kershner 

When dealing with a crime scene, the methods and procedures are crucial steps in the process of the investigation. So many factors go into a crime scene, such as whether it is indoors or outdoors for example. Understanding whether or not there is multiple crime scenes and which one was the original can help with timelines for example. Moreover, the first steps is identifying the crime scene(s), then making sure the area is safe and closed off. Closing off the crime scene ensures the evidence is not tampered with and also ensures the wrong person does not get in trouble with evidence such as fingerprints. Also, if the crime scene is outside for example, ensuring that weather does not tamper with evidence as well. Rain and wind for example could wipe away evidence, therefore the crime scene investigator (CSI), must be swift and be able to think on their feet. Taking pictures, and setting up caution tape are among the most commonly known initial parts of the investigation of a crime scene popularized by television. Although there is much more that has to be done. First responding officers must not only help any victims, but protect the crime scene for the investigators to be able to narrow their search. 

Evidence is gathered and taken to a lab where the scientific method is used in order to gain the data, which in turn will create the leads in identifying the suspects. The fingerprints if their are any, are so important and useful due to the technological advancement of databases that keep the records of these fingerprints such as the automated fingerprint identification system or AFIS as well as a DNA database such as CODIS. These tools are used to find the suspects and even re create the crime in trying to understand exactly what happened, and creating enough evidence in front of a judge to put the suspect in jail. Technological advancements have been such an important tool when it comes to investigations. A crime scene may have even been spotted on a surveillance camera nearby or even been recorded on a cell phone. 

“Every contact leaves a trace”, is the basic principle created by Dr. Locard’s Exchange Theory. Essentially, the criminal can be his own worst enemy in that their are so many ways for the criminal to leave even trace evidence that he investigator must look for everything including blood and semen. The theory impacts the crime scene examination by reminding the investigators to keep an open mind, and be on the lookout for vasts amount of evidence from obvious to not left behind. Even subconsciously, the criminal most likely left behind something for the investigator to follow such as a broken window. These clues and evidence will eventually lead to the entire puzzle, leading to the successful identification of the suspect as well as the order of crimes. The evidence is their, it us up to the investigators to find it, no matter how trace or difficult the evidence is to find. 

Response 2 Simon

In investigating a crime scene with a methodical approach, it is important that first responding officer or officers to preserve the crime scene. The first thing any first responding officer should do is make sure the area is safe. Once the area is safe, the police officer or officers should set a parameter for an entry and exit point on to the crime scene. Evidence can be lost if the crime scene is not property secured. Everything in a crime scene can be essential to the investigation. This could allow the wrong person to go to prison. Once the crime scene is secure, it is important that the responding office send up the right information to the dispatch crime scene technicians. The crime scene technicians will make an educated guess on what type of personal protection equipment (PPE) to bring. The first responding officer could take pictures of the scene of the crime to help shed light on the situation. This will allow for the crime scene technicians to be able to properly record the crime scene. Not only does peace officers and crime technicians visit a crime, but also district attorneys too.  

The police officers on the crime scene area should take notes of everybody that are in the area. They should also take notes of any cars in the area. Police officers should also question anybody that may have encountered the crime scene. Doing this as soon as possible could help the investigation because the incident will be fresh on people’s mind. Law enforcement agencies also must make sure packaging and preservation of physical evidence it follows the proper chain of custody. A lot of time the crime scene has to be reconstructed, so that the investigator or any other law enforcement agency can reconstruct of what could possibly happen in the crime scene. 

I believe the Locard’s Exchange Theory impacted the crime scene examination, because he believed “Every contact leaves a trace”. He also believed that every contact leaves a trace meaning the suspect of a crime will bring something in the crime scene and in return leave with something from it and this trace could be use as an evidence against the suspect. My thought about Locard’s Exchange Theory is that every criminal leave something whether big or small. It is up to the law enforcement agencies to find it. Without Dr. Locard help a lot of innocent people would still be in prison today. 

Response 3 Cairo

Deontological ethics entail situations, where certain acts termed as moral, are right or wrong no matter the situation and that there is no neutral aspect in such decisions or aspects. They point out that as individuals it is crucial to do what is required of us even if in between a rock and hard place. A good example is a situation where a driver decides that they should swerve to the side of the road if the breaks fail to harm a pedestrian rather than running over vehicles in front of them. People have a preference for utilitarianism which is aimed at pushing for happiness even though the act is not morally right. However, deontological ethics and decisions should be the key in any society to ensure morality is maintained. Gaining an understanding from individuals in society on deontology will aid in ensuring that laws are enforced and feeling of discrimination are not existent when acting according to the set ethics. 

The law bounds officers to perform a couple of duties to maintain order in society. Collecting evidence aimed to prosecute criminals and providing it to the court, arresting the criminals, maintaining sanity in the roads through patrols, and issuing tickets are just but a few of the tasks performed by the officers. They are bound by the law, contracts signed and oaths undertook. Deontology and its decision-making push them to act in the right manner no matter what faces them. It ensures that they act according to the set rules and standards no matter what they may be faced with or what they feel is right but according to deontology is not. Through this, they can maintain moral behavior in ensuring that they align to the orders and oath undertaken which in turn aligns to deontology. 

Lately, ethical leadership and behavior have been a challenge to police officers leading to widespread complaints and mistrust everywhere but especially among among the black population. The death of George Floyd has also brought mistrust and Division between the community and law enforcement. (Dreyer et al., 2020). Dreyer et.al points to a couple of black populations who have seen the wrath of the police for minor mistakes committed. Various means have been proposed with some employed in the police force in a bid to ensure that the police is ethical to the benefit of the citizens to no avail. Ethical behavior and leadership are a greater challenge for law enforcement to achieve in the short-term and it will take great efforts to achieve it. It should start from the top down to the junior officer. The officers should take it upon themselves to ensure that they gain trust from the society at large. 

Acting ethically through doing according to set rules and standards and trying to explain to the society in case something comes up. Organizing interaction with the public will also aid in ensuring that trust is gained thus whenever an officer tries to enforce law, the public would not feel that there is favoritism. Racism is another factor that should be avoided at all costs to ensure that the force is ethically correct. A mixture of all races in the police department should not be the only solution to this but ensuring that the mentality of avoiding racism is embraced in and out of the office working hours. Trainings and talks can be undertaken in this case to aid in the process making the police force an institution to be envied. 

Response 4 Lucania

Hello everybody hope you’re having a good week and staying safe. People all over the United States grow up with different core beliefs and values. Depending on how you grow up it is my opinion that between your upbringing and your job Lies you’re ethics. Law-enforcement is definitely a difficult job when you deal with the public in the sense of having to do what’s right even though sometimes you believe it is wrong. To me this where in Lies ethics. Deontological ethics is what somebody Morley believes it’s good because some characteristic of that action itself is justified to them to their beliefs.(McCartney & Parent, 2015) Deontological ethics believe that some X are morally right or is an obligation regardless of the consequences. 

Different law enforcement organizations have different codes or a set of rules that are unique to their precinct, County or state. In the army we live by a set of values define by the acronym LDRSHIP. Things like these are basically are more compasses, which help provide each officer with the cinch of duty, obligation and responsibility. Ethics plays a role in how each officer handles he situation regardless of whether they have a biased opinion on it.(villanovau.com) These rules set a guideline for ethics which sets he presidents for how officers interact with the community are viewed and the success of policing within the community. (McCartney & Parent, 2015)

I am Military Police in the Army. I have answered hundreds of calls that test my personal ethical behavior which in turn affects my conduct. To me in the situations doing what’s right over sometimes with a person believe in living up to the army values is ethics for me. Knowing this I definitely believe that is a challenge for law-enforcement to have ethical leader ship. Ethical leader ship sets the example for everyone. They demonstrate a conduct which is in line with what Would be expected of a police officer and good  community policing.(villanovau.com) As a police officer you need to not just uphold the law but look at all the little things that go into the ethics of police work. As a leader it is your job and responsibility to care for more than just a mission but everything that goes into it like public relations, The view of the public, the impact of what you’re going to do, and whether or not you’re setting a good example for others to emulate. (villanovau.com)

To conclude my moral behavior and ethical leadership, whit out moral behavior and a strong sense of values, it will be hard to have ethics. Having a sense of duty to do what is right regardless of what you believe is good. Sometimes you have to pay attention to the outcome of what you are doing. I tell my new privates when it is their first time working the road. Always assume you are being video taped. How do you want to be seen, would you want to see yourself. Understand that what you do matters and being the best Military Police officer by using good judgement and understanding matters. Even if the hard right over the easy wrong sucks. (McCartney & Parent, 2015)