Investigators who work in the Crimes Against
Person section deal primarily with the more violent types of crime. The sidebar lists
some of
crimes that are typically assigned to C. A. P.
detectives. In the following paragraphs, we have provided a brief
synopsis of these different areas of specialization.
You
may scroll as you read, or go to the side bar and click on the crime-title
and go directly to that topic.
BATTERY
A simple case of Battery begins with
someone knowingly and intentionally touching another person in a rude or
insolent manner. As in other crimes, there are different
levels of Battery. There are those that qualify as a misdemeanor
and those which are considered a felony. Detectives are assigned to
investigate felony-level battery complaints, such as domestic battery
and aggravated-assault. Aggravated assault/battery is a term used
when the victim
suffers a serious bodily injury.
Detectives also investigate incidents of Battery to Law Enforcement
Officers, and Battery by Body Waste. Persons who spit or
transfer any type body fluid on a law enforcement officer or corrections
officer can be charged with a felony.
ROBBERY
The crime of Robbery is a form of theft
with two very important factors added to the equation; they are, the
elements of force and fear. Even if a weapon is not displayed, the simple suggestion of force may be
adequate to satisfy this requirement of the law. The element
of fear is self-explanatory.
Armed
robbers are a special concern to the community because of their
"in-your-face" attitude. Unlike
burglars or sneak-thieves who avoid direct contact with their victims, a
robber may enjoy the confrontation aspect of the event. When a weapon
is added to the equation the chance of someone being injured or
killed escalates.
Detectives conduct follow-up investigations into every robbery
complaint. A robbery is reported practically
every day in Fort Wayne, some days there are several. Not all
complaints of robbery turn out to be valid. Some are actually
internal thefts which are reported as robberies, in an attempt to cover
the loss. Likewise, some robberies may be committed by a "stranger" who
had the help of a current employee or an ex-employee to provide
"inside" information about the target-business.
Robberies of financial institutions are another
concern. The Fort Wayne Police Department is an active member of the Northeast
Indiana Bank Robbery Task Force. The Task Force consists of
representatives from the Fort Wayne Police Department; the Allen County Police
Department; the New Haven Police Department; the Allen County
Prosecutor's Office; the Indiana State Police; the Federal Bureau of
Investigation; Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; and the United States
Attorney's Office. These agencies pool their resources to increase
their
investigative success. Occasionally, the
Task Force will host robbery-education seminars for regional financial
institutions. To inquire about these educational opportunities,
please contact the Deputy Chief of the Investigative Support Division at
427-1201.
HOMICIDE
Homicides account for just a fraction of
the different types of death investigations handled by our officers.
Investigators work all types of questionable
deaths, including deaths attributed to Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome,
suicides, and accidental deaths. Detectives and Crime Scene
Techs work closely with
the Allen County Coroner's Office to gather sufficient details to aid the coroner in determining the cause and manner of
death.
The total number of homicides varies from year-to-year. Each
incident is unique, but many share a combination of similar
factors. Although all types of weapons are used, firearms are the predominant
instrument utilized by assailants. Their reason or motive
usually comes down to an momentary explosion of anger generated by
greed, jealousy, pride, revenge, or a mental/emotional imbalance. Alcohol consumption
and/or drug abuse is often found to be linked to the incident.
One fact is very clear, our homicide-count would be
much higher if not for the skills
of our local Emergency Medical Technicians and
hospital personnel.
COLD
CASE
The Cold Case detectives focus their
investigative skills on older, unsolved homicides. While there is
no specified time limit for a case to qualify as a "cold
case," most of the cases they examine are over two years
old. The detectives are under no time restrictions, and have
the opportunity to review the material from a fresh perspective.
These investigators travel all over the United States, re-interviewing
witnesses of past crimes. In some cases, the lapse of time works
in their favor; in that, once-reluctant witnesses are more willing to
discuss their observations now that time has put a comfortable distance
between them and the perpetrator. Often, the investigators
discover that a witness or the suspect has been incarcerated on other
unrelated charges. The detectives frequently travel to
regional correctional facilities to secure new case-related
information. Cold Case detectives are usually reviewing several "cold' cases at the same
time.
SEX
CRIMES
The crimes of Rape, Criminal Deviate
Conduct, Child Molesting, Sexual Battery, Sexual Misconduct
with a Minor, and Indecent Exposure are
behaviors that are commonly
referred to as "sex crimes." The Detective Bureau has a team of
investigators who specialize in these types of complaints. FWPD detectives work closely with
the
Sexual Assault Treatment Center, the Child Advocacy Center, Child
Protective Services and Victim Assistance advocates to provide a
comprehensive medical and investigative support network for every
victim. They are constantly seeking to improve their
victim-encounter skills to minimize the emotional trauma of the
investigative process.
Frequently, it is determined that the victim and the perpetrator are related or they have
a previous knowledge of each other. This can be particularly devastating
when an adult family member, a trusted family acquaintance, or a sibling sexually
abuses a child. Victims are often reluctant to speak out and continue to endure the abuse.
Sometimes, investigators are alerted to these
crimes through a teacher or the victim's friend, after the child
has confided details of the abuse.
The Indiana Sheriffs
Association publishes and maintains the INDIANA SEX AND VIOLENT OFFENDER REGISTRY.
Please remember that this list contains information
on only those individuals who have been found guilty. A violent or
sexual predator who has never been convicted will not be on the
list. The most up-to-date publication can be accessed via their website at
www.insor.org
ABUSE & NEGLECT
Detectives are frequently asked to look
into incidents of suspected abuse and neglect involving both child-victims and the elderly. Whether these incidents occur in the home
or in an assisted living facility, the investigation will most often
involve the support of representatives from Child Protective Services or Adult Protective Services.
At times, these investigations can become complicated due to
the victim's inability to articulate some of the important elements
needed for a conviction.
Abuse and neglect can take many forms. It is not always
physical. A parent who leaves their child unattended at
home, or in a motor vehicle may be charged with neglect, and come under the scrutiny of the court.
CRIMINAL
RECKLESSNESS
A person who recklessly, knowingly, or
intentionally performs an act that creates a substantial risk of bodily
injury to another person may be guilty of Criminal Recklessness.
As in other crimes, there are misdemeanor and felony versions of this
law. Persons who discharge firearms, or set off explosives may
fall into this category of criminal behavior. A person who uses a
motor vehicle as a weapon can also be charged with this crime. It is not necessary that the victim was injured to
be charged with this crime. The simple fact that a suspect's
behavior created a "substantial risk" of injury may be
sufficient to warrant an arrest. Of course, the use of a firearm,
or any injury, would increase the severity of the charge.
Initiation-rites or "hazing" can also fall into this category.
