Methods of Inquiry - Cj210
1.) What are the methods of inquiry and how are they used in criminal investigations?
In Criminal Investigations, the authors state that there are two broad categories of inquiry – those that reconstruct the past and those that discover or create new knowledge. I believe a competent investigator clearly understands these methods to, in essence, be a single method with several steps, per say. It is necessary for an investigator to, similar to a historian, visit the past with the intent of gathering information, clues and leads. It is the acquisition of these said specifics that allow a logical transition into emulating the scientist or artist and creating new information and discoveries based on the historical findings. This process or method can be summated, in my personal opinion, to a definition of “a synonymous flow of actions wherein reconstruction of the past sheds light and clarity on the present.”
2.) What is the optimal mindset of an investigator and how are the concepts associated with the optimal mindset of an investigator manifest?
The optimal investigative mindset is just that, investigative in nature. It is necessary to revisit the comparison of the investigator to the historian, as mentioned above, in order to distinguish an action from a mind-set. Investigation, if not demonstrated with the correct mind-set, would be nothing more than detailed, in depth research or fact finding, as is the case with the historian. It is the natural instinct to apply the findings to the present and somehow gain further guidance or understanding that investigating from researching. It presents with an open, creative mind eager to explain, apply or to prove the information. Which is how the historian merges with the artistic or scientific qualities to produce the investigator. Questioning the validity of findings, following any and all leads, observing minute details, doubting the face value of information, statements or witnesses, setting aside personal
In Criminal Investigations, the authors state that there are two broad categories of inquiry – those that reconstruct the past and those that discover or create new knowledge. I believe a competent investigator clearly understands these methods to, in essence, be a single method with several steps, per say. It is necessary for an investigator to, similar to a historian, visit the past with the intent of gathering information, clues and leads. It is the acquisition of these said specifics that allow a logical transition into emulating the scientist or artist and creating new information and discoveries based on the historical findings. This process or method can be summated, in my personal opinion, to a definition of “a synonymous flow of actions wherein reconstruction of the past sheds light and clarity on the present.”
2.) What is the optimal mindset of an investigator and how are the concepts associated with the optimal mindset of an investigator manifest?
The optimal investigative mindset is just that, investigative in nature. It is necessary to revisit the comparison of the investigator to the historian, as mentioned above, in order to distinguish an action from a mind-set. Investigation, if not demonstrated with the correct mind-set, would be nothing more than detailed, in depth research or fact finding, as is the case with the historian. It is the natural instinct to apply the findings to the present and somehow gain further guidance or understanding that investigating from researching. It presents with an open, creative mind eager to explain, apply or to prove the information. Which is how the historian merges with the artistic or scientific qualities to produce the investigator. Questioning the validity of findings, following any and all leads, observing minute details, doubting the face value of information, statements or witnesses, setting aside personal