Goal #6 Objective D

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Objective D:
Without the use of the course text or class notes, the student will identify specific investigative issues relating to burglary.

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Investigative issues relating to burglary

Definition
The People Involved
Physical Evidence
Records and Other Sources of Information
Follow-up Information

Definition:

burglary (BJS) -
Unlawful entry of any fixed structure, vehicle, or vessel used for regular residence, industry or business, with or without force, with the intent to commit a felony or larceny.

Example of burglary:
A home owner returns home to find the back door of his residence standing open. Upon inspection, he sees the wood splintered and broken around the frame of the door, near where the locking mechanism catches. He looks in his house and notes several items missing. He calls the police to report that his home has been broken into.

The People Involved -
Demographics

• Middle and lower socio-economic class residential burglaries tend to be committed by juveniles and teens.
  
• When entry is gained through a broken window and/or the property taken appears to be varied rather than specific and when the burglary appears to have been done in a haphazard way, the likely suspect is also going to be a juvenile or teen.
  
• When a specific tool is used, the interior search is systematic and only valuable property is taken, then the likely suspect is going to be older and more experienced. Therefore, a person with a prior arrest record would be considered a prime characteristic for the suspect.
  
• Most commercial or business burglaries also require a higher degree of sophistication than residential burglaries.
  

With commercial and business burglaries where the employer has a high turnover rate, it is important to ask about personnel records.

Possible information producing questions

• Is there anything unique about the timing of the burglary?
  
• Have there been any prior attempts or successful burglaries?
  
• Who knew about the property and it's location?
  
• Is the property unique; including items such as art objects?
  
• Have there been similar burglaries?
  
• Did any publicity appear in local newspapers?
  

Location of witnesses will generally be in the area of the location burglarized. The area should be canvassed for all persons who potentially could have been in the area during the time of the crime.

Potential witnesses should be asked about things that appeared "out of place" or "unusual."

Stolen items sometimes turn up at pawn shops, therefore pawn shop inventories should be periodically checked against stolen property lists.

Informants in the neighborhood are another source of information. Most burglary detectives have a good informant network.

Other sources of information from people

• patrol officers
  
• bartenders
  
• truant officers
  
• playground attendants
  

The suspect -
Common methods suspects use to gain entry are highlighted by Osterburg on pages 508 - 510.

Suspects normally commit burglaries repeatedly until caught, frequently using the same method of operation and even the same tools.

Pattern of burglary suspects

• Burglars start young
  
• Some burglars go on into more violent crimes, while others develop an expertise in an area of burglary.
  
• Nearly three quarters of persons paroled for a burglary offense are rearrested, nearly two thirds are convicted again and over one-half are reincarcerated.
  
• Juvenile burglars tend to work in groups of three or more.
  
• Sophisticated burglars tend to operate in pairs.
  
• Professional burglars tend to work with lookouts and may use walkie talkies.
  
• Most burglars target "easy marks."
  
• Many burglars have drug or alcohol problems, and take big ticket items that are easy to fence (TVs, stereos, etc.).
  

Physical Evidence -
Typical physical evidence found at the scene of a burglary

• latent fingerprints
  
• tool marks
  
• blood
  
• saliva
  
• footprints
  
• hair
  
• fibers
  
• cigarettes
  
• matchbooks
  
• tools
  
• clothing
  
• identification
  
• handwriting
  

Common locations latent fingerprints are found:

• beer and soda cans
  
• items in the refrigerator
  
• toilet seat and nearby wall
  
• bottoms of dresser drawers that may have been removed
  
• window locks which may have been disturbed
  
• documents that have been disturbed
  

Records and Other Sources of Information -
The focus of most record and file information relating to burglary investigation will focus on the stolen property.

The collection and cataloging of serial numbers, model numbers and other special identifying characteristics of stolen property is of great investigative value to the investigator.

Potential sources of stolen property information

• Law enforcement records on stolen property
  
• Computers containing crime data
  
• Manufacturers
  
• Businesses
  
• Trade Associations
  
• Pawn Shops
  

Follow-up Information
A burglary checklist is provided by Osterburg on page 520.

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Continue to Goal #6 - Objective E.
Return to Course Learning Goals Page

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