Based on the scenario below, create an investigation plan and address the following:
• Who should be in charge of the investigation and why? What should be the roles of other officers involved?
• What information should be gathered before any interviews or interrogations are conducted?
• Who should interview or interrogate the husband? What should be the strategy for the interview/interrogation?
• Once the wife recovers, who should interview her? What should be the strategy for the interview?
• Who should interview the children? What should be the role of the patrol officer? What should be the strategy for the interview? What are the considerations in interviewing minors?
Scenario:
Responding to a 911 call from a residence that suggests a burglary in progress, responding officers discover the wife seriously injured, the husband with apparently defensive injuries, and two unhurt children aged 8 and 13. No suspect is found on the scene or observed fleeing.
The area has had residential burglaries in recent months, but none involved assault. Background checks reveal two domestic disturbance calls from the family, but the wife withdrew the complaint against the husband in both cases.
The responding officer canvasses neighbors, who do not report seeing any strangers in the area in the relevant timeframe. A patrol officer who takes charge of the children establishes a rapport with them. A detective has taken charge of the case.