investigation model
for
motor vehicle theft post 1995
I – information
G – generating
N – new
E – enforcement
O – opportunities &
U – unique
S – solutions
Purpose
The Investigation Model provides a set series of questions to be asked of a crime victim which will subsequently provide evidence upon the credibility of, and the investigation of, the offence.
The product outlines the rationale for the questions, and provides an insight into the investigation of a vehicle theft, illustrated with examples of investigations in North Kent.
Format
The product consists of the questions, their rationale, and how the evidence gathered can be used as a basis for an investigation. An appendix contains the Thatcham Security Guide, which details the security devices fitted to all vehicles.
Skills and Resources
Any experienced detective will quickly understand the methodology outlined in this product and will be able to use this to conduct an investigation. Some infrastructure changes are required to facilitate the operation of this model. The Central Crime Recording Unit is currently set up to ask the Operation Igneous questions when receiving an allegation of vehicle theft in North Kent. This will also need to be done in other Areas. Additionally, the Area Crime Management Unit needs to undertake the initial enquiries before allocating the case to a detective for investigation.
Resources and Costs
Aside from the alteration in work methods and the slight infrastructure changes, this product is resource neutral.
Benefits
The Investigation Model provides the investigator with the firm foundation from which to investigate and refute allegations of vehicle theft.
- It is currently estimated that North Kent is suffering three to five false theft allegations each week.
- Successful refusal of these reports would easily reduce North Kent Area’s vehicle crime by 30%.
This model has been successfully applied in North Kent since May 2001, and in this period there have been at least fifteen cases which have been refuted and turned into fraud allegations
Introduction
In thefts of vehicles registered from August 1995 (N registration) an investigation can now become more structured, as from this date the majority of motor manufacturers fitted an immobiliser to vehicles. This has had the effect of reducing vehicle insurance premiums on vehicles with more sophisticated immobilisers, as they are at lower risk of theft, but increased the likelihood that reports of thefts are fraudulent.
This product sets out a new methodology for any investigation into the reported thefts of these vehicles. Use of this will identify lines of enquiry to be pursued to either verify or disprove the offence.
The Investigation Model Questions
The basis for this new investigation methodology are [is] a comprehensive series of questions to be asked by Crime Complaints Recording Unit (CCRU) when the first report is made by the ‘victim’. This serves two purposes,
- firstly giving a more accurate grounding for an investigation by trained investigators after allocation, and
- secondly to commit the ‘ victim ‘ to an account.
Examples of the benefit of this were illustrated – in Appendix B, Sample Cases – restricted access.
The questions were listed, together with a rationale. The questions were provided at Appendix A – restricted access – and broken down into:
- Crime Scene Questions
- Evidential Questions
- Crime Victim Questions
- Modus Operandi Questions
- Vehicle Questions
- Historical Questions
- Standard Questions
Investigating Vehicle Crime
The answers to the Operation Igneous questions, together with evidence from the vehicle and its history, including after recovery, form the basis for an in depth investigation.
The following pneumonic suggests the order in which a vehicle crime investigation should be conducted:
- C – Car Make, model, age, value, security, credibility of report.
- H – History Finance, insurance, documents, keys, servicing, sale.
- A – Actions What has been done so far, and what needs to be done.
- S – Scene Of theft, of recovery, any other crimes before stolen report.
- E – Evidence From scene or enquiries
Each of the above five aspects was the subject of further explanation – restricted access.
Procedure for Applying the Model
This product has now outlined the brief concept of the Investigation Model, the questions which should be asked, and the information which can be obtained from them and the CHASE method. The procedures should be applied in this structured way [details provided].