From 1962 to
1970, Richard H. Ward was a member of the New York Police Department, rising to the rank of detective. After the leaving the NYPD, Richard Ward began an academic career as the Coordintor of Student Activities
with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Currently, Richard Ward is the
Associate Bice President for Reseach and Special Programs with the Sam Houston State University (Texas).
Richard Ward
is the author of Countering Terrorism: A Manual
for Law Enforcement and Introduction
to Criminal Investigation. Richard Ward is the co-author of Homeland Security, Criminal Investigation: A Method of Reconstruction of the
Past; Quest for Quality; An Anti-Corruption Manual for Administrators in Law Enforcement; and, Police Robbery Control Manual. Richard Ward is the editor of Extremist Groups: An Inernational Compilation of Terrorist Organizations, Violent Political Groups, and Issue-Oriented
Militant Movements; Terrorism and the New World Disorder; International Terrorism: Operational Issues; Managing Police Corruption:
International Perspectives; International Terrorism: The Domestic Response; Police and Law Enforcement; and, Foundations of
Criminal Justice.
According to
the book description of Criminal Investigation:
A Method of Reconstruction of the Past, “This text presents the fundamentals of criminal investigation and provides
a sound method for reconstructing a past event (i.e., a crime) based on three major sources of information—people, physical
evidence and records. More than a simplistic introductory text, yet written in an easy-to-read, user-friendly format, it offers
a broad approach to criminal investigation. Updates to this edition include reorganization of the material into three sections,
the merging of some chapters, and a new chapter on “Increasing Threats and Emerging Crime.”
According to one reader of Criminal Investigation: A Method for Reconstructing
the Past, “The text is divided into four sections with thirty chapters. New in this edition is a chapter
on automobile theft. Earlier editions of the book were required reading for the International Association for Identification's
crime scene certification course and I expect that will continue to be true with this edition. The third
edition continues to be bound in paperback which was one my main complaints from the second edition. The dimensions of the
book of the been changed resulting in a rather more solid feel to this edition. I'd still prefer to see it in hard cover,
however, I understand some of the cost factors involved, which lead to the use of a paper cover.
The third edition also includes a 228 page study guide. The instructors edition
includes both an instructors guide, and a set of PowerPoint slides, although I didn't receive the slides with my review
copy. Given the popularity of PowerPoint presentations I have to believe this is a valuable addition for those that are using
the text in a college course. Overall the book continues to be well written and illustrated with appropriate photographs or
illustrations. Section one is the Foundation and Principles of Criminal Investigation. Part A is the Sources
and Uses of Information, which includes the History of Criminal Investigation, Uses of Physical Evidence, Using People as
a Source of Information, and investigations involving records and files.
Section one Part B Seeking and Obtaining Information from People and Records,
includes detailed information on Interviews, using Records and Files and Informants. Part C follow-up measures includes chapters
on Surveillance, Eyewitness Identification (which includes sketches, composites and line-ups) and two chapters on Interrogation.
Section two: Applying the Principles to Criminal Investigation, includes a chapter on Reconstructing the Past, and chapters
on specific crimes including Homicide, Robbery, Rape, Burglary and Arson.
Section three is specialized investigations and includes Terrorism, Computers,
White-collar Crime and Crimes Involving Vehicles. Section four is specialized topics and includes chapters
on What is Crime? Managing Criminal Investigations, Controlling Investigations through Constitutional Law, Evidence and Effective
Testimony. Chapters which review the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, and the Lindbergh kidnapping, a chapter on Satanism,
Cults and Ritual Crime (which in my opinion is still a waste of paper) and a chapter on Raids.
The text also includes five appendices:
FBI suggestions for Packaging Physical Evidence, Photographing a Crime Scene, the Vicap Crime Analysis Report, Missing Person
Checklist and a Glossary. Given the breadth of the material presented, the authors can't go into great
detail about any particular subject, however, each of the chapters includes an extensive list of supplemental readings. The
third edition continues to be an excellent introductory text on criminal investigation and remains one of my top recommendations.”
According to one reader of Countering
Terrorism: A Manual for Law Enforcement Administration, “This volume is a no-nonsense overview that provides
a framework for federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to develop a counter-terrorism program. As the product
of a federally-funded study, this volume provides solutions you can actually use. Ward, who heads the University of Illinois
at Chicago's Office of International Criminal Justice made certain that this volume was accessible and usable to law enforcement
personnel at all levels. Highly recommended.”
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