Assignment 2: Criminal Investigation Issue Part 1
Due Week 4 and worth 120 points

Refer to the Overview of Research Assignments here.
Write a three to four (3-4) page paper in which you:

1.Introduce your paper with a clear thesis statement that provides an overview of the main points.
2.Explain the historical development of the major issues related to this topic. (This may include people, events, and may list court cases. However, the court cases need to be evaluated for importance and impact in the next paper.)
3.Analyze at least three (3) major challenges facing law enforcement professionals regarding this topic.
4.Support your views with at least three (3) relevant and credible references, documented according to the latest edition of APA. (Note: These references may be from those annotated in Assignment 1 and may include additional references.)
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

•Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA format (latest edition). Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
•Include a cover page developed in accordance with the latest edition of APA, including a running head, page number, the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
Depending on the selection of a topic, any one of the course outcomes might be assessed by the assignment.

•Describe the major components of and responsiblities involved in the investigative process.
•Recommend improvements to the criminal investigation process in selected areas.
•Describe the procedures for the preparation of field notes and the documentation of a crime scene.
•Evaluate the importance of search and seizure, processing the crime scene and collecting evidence, the criminal intelligence function, and the use of information resources in the investigative process.
•Analyze the process of undercover and surveillance operations.
•Analyze the procedures involved in making an arrest, conducting interviews and interrogations, and the importance of the accurate identification of suspects.
•Recommend effective ways to apply the investigative process to violent crimes.
•Describle effective ways to apply the investigative process to property crimes and financial crimes.
•Describle effective ways to apply the investigative process to drug offenses, organized crime, and other dangerous groups.
•Explore the nature and investigative processes of investigating terrorism.
•Predict changes that will take place in criminal investigation in the next 20 years.
•Describle effective ways to apply the investigative process to cybercrime.
•Evaluate the role of the criminal investigator in preparing evidence for presentation and courtroom testimony.
•Use technology and information resources to conduct research in the criminal investigation process.
•Write clearly and concisely about the criminal investigation process using proper writing mechanics.
Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and language and writing skills. Click here to view the rubric for this assignment.

TOPIC:
(The challenges and effective methods of investigating gang activities)