FOLLOWING A SURVEY OF THE HISTORY OF THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS IN ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND THE UNITED STATES, THE BOOK'S FOCUS IS DIRECTED TO THE BASIC PREREQUISITES OF THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS. THESE INCLUDE INVESTIGATIVE RESPONSIBILITY, SELECTION AND TRAINING OF INVESTIGATORS, AND DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING STANDARDS FOR AUDITING INVESTIGATIONS. STANDARDS FOR CONDUCTING A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ARE COVERED, WITH DISCUSSION ON ELEMENTS OF THE CRIME, SITUATION ASSESSMENT, AND CRIME SCENE SEARCHING, AND INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES (UNDERCOVER TECHNIQUES, DOCUMENTATION, SURVEILLANCE, INTERROGATION ARE REVIEWED. THE USE OF INFORMANTS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IS CONSIDERED INDEPTH, AS ARE MODEL CONTROL PROCEDURES FOR INVESTIGATORS INVOLVED IN THE USE OF INFORMANTS. NEXT, PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AND LABORATORY RESOURCES ARE DEALT WITH, EMPHASIS BEING PLACED ON PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, CRIME LAB SERVICES, AND LOCAL AND REGIONAL LABORATORIES. THE CHAPTER ON HOMICIDE INVESTIGATIONS PRESENTS A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR BOTH THE UNIFORMED OFFICER RESPONDING TO A CRIME SCENE AND THE FOLLOWUP INVESTIGATOR WHO MUST PREPARE THE CASE FOR COURT. CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT OF HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION ARE COVERED IN DETAIL. THE DISCUSSION OF RAPE INVESTIGATION COVERS PROCEDURAL METHODS BUT EMPHASIZES THE POLICE OFFICER'S ATTITUDE AND DEMEANOR TOWARD THE VICTIM AND THE PROSECUTOR. OTHER TOPICS REGARDING INVESTIGATION ARE IN REFERENCE TO ROBBERY AND BURGLARY, THEFT AND RELATED CRIMES, AND VEHICLE THEFT. FUNDAMENTAL INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES AND DETAILED METHODS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF VEHICLES ARE PROVIDED. ATTENTION IS GIVEN ALSO TO STANDARDS FOR NARCOTICS AND VICE CONTROL THAT TOUCH ON ORGANIZING FOR VICE/NARCOTICS CONTROL AND INVESTIGATING NARCOTICS OFFENSES. NEXT THE FOCUS SHIFTS TO THE INTELLIGENCE-GATHERING PROCESS AND STANDARDS FOR THE UTILIZATION OF INFORMANTS. THE LAST SECTION COVERS ARSON, BOMBING, AND HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION; PREPARATION OF COURT CASES; AND THE ROLE OF THE INVESTIGATOR IN TEAM POLICING. EACH CHAPTER HAS REFERENCES AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY. DRAWINGS, CHARTS, DIAGRAMS, AND AN INDEX ARE PROVIDED. (PRG)