BECAUSE ROBBERY IS A COMMON CRIME THAT ALWAYS INVOLVES VIOLENCE OR THE THREAT OF VIOLENCE, THE RISKS OF INJURY OR DEATH ARE MUCH GREATER. OFFICERS APPROACHES A ROBBERY SCENE SHOULD BE ALERT FOR ESCAPING SUSPECTS AND SHOULD LOOK FOR A SUITABLE PLACE TO TAKE COVER. ONCE THEY ARE INSIDE THE BUILDING, TOP PRIORITY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO HELPING THE INJURED, PROTECTING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, OBTAINING SYSTEMATIC SUSPECT OR CAR DESCRIPTIONS FROM VICTIMS AND WITNESSES, AND MOVING EVERYONE OUT OF THE IMMEDIATE CRIME SCENE. OFFICERS CAN THEN BEGIN THE PRELIMINARY STEPS OF THE INVESTIGATION ITSELF. THESE STEPS INCLUDE SEARCHING THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF THE CRIME SCENE FOR EVIDENCE, AND THEN SEARCHING A LARGER AREA FOR SUSPECTS. A THOROUGH SEARCH SHOULD BE MADE OF THE CRIME SCENE ITSELF WITH THE AID OF VICTIMS AND WITNESSES, IF POSSIBLE. THE INVESTIGATOR SHOULD MAKE PHOTOGRAPHS AND SKETCHES BEFORE ANYTHING IS MOVED AND SHOULD RECOVER, MARK, IDENTIFY, AND GET A SIGNED RECEIPT FOR EACH ITEM OF EVIDENCE. THOROUGH INTERVIEWS OF VICTIMS AND WITNESSES SHOULD BE CONDUCTED. USE OF INFORMANTS, A NEIGHBORHOOD CANVASS, DEPARTMENT MODUS OPERANDI RECORDS, AND RECORDS OF SERIAL NUMBERS ON BILLS CAN AID IN TRACKING DOWN SUSPECTS. CONVERGING EVIDENCE OF PHYSICAL ITEMS CAN ALSO HELP ESTABLISH A SUSPECT'S GUILT. FINALLY, ALL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS WHICH GOVERN A SUSPECT SHOULD BE METICULOUSLY FOLLOWED SO THAT THE SUSPECT MAY NOT BE FREED ON A LEGAL TECHNICALITY. IN ADDITION, IT IS WORTHWHILE INTERROGATING SUSPECTS, IF POSSIBLE, BECAUSE SUCH INTERROGATION CAN OFTEN YIELD IMPORTANT ADMISSIONS. STUDY NOTES, SLIDES, AND AN INSTRUCTOR'S GUIDE ARE ATTACHED. (AOP)