Goal #2 Objective E

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Objective E:
Without the use of the course text or class notes, the student will identify how records and files can be a source of information.

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Law enforcement agencies routinely collect information. In fact, some have said that the majority of a law enforcement officer's job is collecting information and writing reports. This makes law enforcement agencies a great storage place for a wealth of information.

The good investigator realizes that many other government and private entities also collect a wealth of information.

Examples of recorded sources of information

• records of ownership of personal property (cars, guns, houses)
  
• required licenses (driver, marriage, professional)
  
• business transactions (purchase or sale of property)
  
• utility services (gas, electric, telephone)
  
• transportation (airline, car rental)
  

Investigative leads that can be developed from records and files

• link a person to an object (such as a gun) through purchase or ownership
  
• link one person to another (marriage, telephone, organization membership)
  
• link a person to a place or time period
  
• discover lifestyle, personal behavior or movement information
  

Records and files can be used to

• follow-up or provide additional leads
  
• identify the suspect
  
• trace and locate the suspect, criminal, or witness
  
• recover lost or stolen property
  
• ascertain facts about physical evidence (ownership, etc.)
  

Types and Sources of Recorded Information

• Files of law enforcement agencies
  
• Files of other government agencies
  
• Records of business organizations
  
• Miscellaneous sources
  

Osterburg goes into specific detail about these sources on pages 175-183.

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Continue to Goal #3 - Goal #3.
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