CID 311A Special Agent key terms

The facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe a crime has occurred, justifying the start of a criminal investigation. It is a lower threshold than probable cause and may rest on a victim report, physical evidence, or reliable intelligence.

The initial response phase in which agents secure the scene, render aid, identify and separate witnesses, protect evidence, and record the first accounts. Its purpose is to preserve facts before they degrade, not to resolve the case.

A particularized and objective basis, supported by specific articulable facts, for suspecting that a person has committed or is about to commit a crime. It authorizes brief investigative detentions and limited pat-down searches for weapons.

Facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe a particular person committed an offense or that contraband or evidence will be found in a particular place. It is the standard for arrests, search warrants, and many seizures.

A written court order, supported by sworn probable cause, authorizing agents to search a specified place or person and seize described items. It must particularly describe the place to be searched and the things to be seized.

A sworn written statement of facts presented to a magistrate in support of a warrant request. Its reliability determines the legality of the resulting search, so it must be complete, accurate, and free of material omissions.

The constitutional rule that a warrant must describe with reasonable precision the place to be searched and the items to be seized, preventing general exploratory rummaging. Broad categories may suffice where they are as specific as the circumstances permit.

Conditions such as hot pursuit, imminent destruction of evidence, or danger to life that make obtaining a warrant unreasonable and justify immediate warrantless action. The government must show the exigency was real and not created by its own conduct.

A warrantless search permitted when a person with actual or apparent authority over the area gives voluntary consent. Consent must be freely given, and the person may limit or withdraw it at any time.

The principle that officers lawfully present in a location may seize items whose incriminating character is immediately apparent, without a warrant. The officer must have a lawful right of access to the object itself.

A brief investigative detention based on reasonable suspicion, during which an officer may frisk the outer clothing for weapons if the person is believed armed and dangerous. The scope must stay tied to the suspicion that justified it.

The chronological, documented record of every person who handled, transferred, or stored an item of evidence, from seizure through trial. Gaps or unexplained transfers can undermine authenticity and lead to exclusion.

The assurance that an item has not been altered, contaminated, substituted, or destroyed while in official custody. It is demonstrated through sealed packaging, controlled storage, and continuous documentation rather than assertion alone.

A running record documenting each item collected at a scene, including description, location found, collector, date and time, and disposition. It is the foundation from which chain-of-custody entries are built.

Material of human or other biological origin, such as blood, saliva, hair, or tissue, that may yield DNA. It requires drying, breathable packaging, and cool storage to prevent degradation and contamination.

The measures taken to protect a scene from contamination, loss, and unauthorized entry, including perimeter control, scene logs, and personal protective equipment. Preservation begins before collection and continues until the scene is released.

A scaled drawing showing the spatial relationships among evidence, landmarks, and boundaries, typically paired with measurements and photographs. It conveys layout and distance that photographs alone cannot establish reliably.

The systematic recording of a scene through overall, mid-range, and close-up images, with and without scale, before items are moved. It must capture original conditions and be logged to preserve admissibility.

A laboratory technique that produces a genetic profile from biological material for comparison with known samples or databases. Interpretation requires attention to mixture, transfer, and contamination issues rather than a simple match claim.

A fingerprint left by transferred oils or sweat that is invisible to the naked eye and must be developed with powders, chemicals, or light sources. Recovery requires surfaces to be handled carefully to avoid destroying ridge detail.

Questioning by law enforcement after a person has been taken into custody or otherwise deprived of freedom in a significant way. It triggers the requirement to give Miranda warnings before questioning.

The advisement of the right to remain silent, that statements may be used against the person, the right to counsel, and appointed counsel for the indigent, required before custodial interrogation. Waiver must be knowing, intelligent, and voluntary.

The requirement that a statement be the product of free choice rather than coercion, threats, promises, or exhaustion. Involuntary statements are inadmissible regardless of whether warnings were given.

An interview is non-accusatory questioning of a witness or victim to gather information; an interrogation is accusatory questioning of a suspect designed to elicit admissions. Confusing the two can create custody issues and undermine credibility.

A recorded account of what a witness observed, obtained through structured questioning and documented in the witness's own words where possible. It should capture perception conditions, time, and certainty, not just conclusions.

The process by which a witness selects a suspect from a lineup, photo array, or show-up. Reliability depends on double-blind administration, unbiased fillers, and instructions that the perpetrator may not be present.

The federal statute governing military offenses, jurisdiction, and punishment for service members. It defines punitive articles, pretrial procedures, and appellate review distinct from civilian criminal codes.

A disciplinary proceeding in which a commander imposes limited punishment for minor misconduct without a court-martial. The member may demand trial by court-martial in certain cases and has appeal rights to higher authority.

A military court convened to try service members for UCMJ offenses, in summary, special, or general form depending on severity. General courts-martial handle the most serious charges and carry the greatest sentencing authority.

A directive from a superior that is within the superior's authority, relates to military duty, and is not palpably illegal. Disobedience is punishable, but an order to commit a crime need not be obeyed.

Information about persons, groups, or activities that has been evaluated, analyzed, and disseminated to support investigative decisions and threat assessments. It must be distinguished from raw tips and handled under applicable privacy and retention rules.

A technique that maps relationships among people, places, accounts, and events to reveal networks and key nodes. It supports targeting and case theory but must reflect source reliability and avoid overstating weak associations.

A factual written account of an agent's actions, observations, and evidence, organized chronologically and free of opinion or conclusion. It becomes a discoverable record and may be used to refresh memory or impeach testimony.

The complete organized record of an investigation, including reports, evidence inventories, correspondence, and legal process returns. It must be maintained for discovery, review, and retention obligations.

The duty to disclose to the defense evidence that is favorable and material to guilt or punishment, including impeachment information. Failure can result in reversal, sanctions, or professional discipline.

The process of reviewing reports, evidence, and prior statements to give accurate, consistent testimony and to anticipate cross-examination. It requires refreshing memory from records rather than rehearsing a script.

The professional obligation to act with integrity, candor, and impartiality, including truthful reporting, avoiding conflicts of interest, and refusing to fabricate or conceal evidence. It applies regardless of case outcome or command pressure.

A person whose age, disability, trauma, dependency, or immigration status increases the risk of harm or exploitation and may require accommodations during interviews and case handling. Specialized protocols protect both the person and the integrity of the account.

A questioning approach that recognizes trauma effects on memory and behavior, prioritizes safety and rapport, avoids repeated re-questioning, and uses open-ended prompts. It improves completeness and reduces re-traumatization.

A pretrial proceeding to determine whether an affidavit supporting a warrant contained a false statement made knowingly and intentionally, or with reckless disregard for the truth, that was material to probable cause.