U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Police Identification Guide

NCJ Number
92840
Author(s)
P Starrett; J M Keegan
Date Published
1983
Length
313 pages
Annotation
This guide for patrol officers, detectives, and investigators provides instruction in first aid, automobile identification, identification of facial and body characteristics, clothing and firearms identification, drug identification, and hazardous material response.
Abstract
The first aid section is intended as refresher instruction for persons trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The condensed format aids a trained person in reacting more efficiently in a crisis situation. Spanish phrases are provided to give an officer assistance in Spanish translation in the handling of basic or emergency information, while the section on traffic accident investigation acts as a reminder of the basic principles taught in police academies. In addition to a step-by-step format for accident investigations, included for ready reference are the basic equations, charts, and graphs that deal with most of the situations encountered, including speed from skids, flips and falls, and information useful to accident report notation. Illustrations and information useful in the identification of motor vehicles are presented, along with identification material related to the face and body. In providing a guide for clothing identification, enough types of clothing are presented to obtain a close facsimile while leaving room for interpretation. This information is intended to enhance greater clarity when a witness cannot adequately describe a suspect's clothing. Illustrations pertinent to firearms identification are sufficient to determine the general category of a gun. Illustrations of other common types of weapons are included as well. The section on license plates presents information and color photographs of license plates currently used by all U.S. States, possessions, and the military. Color photographs of the various drug tablets and pills are included to assist in drug identification. The discussion of hazardous material response was developed for use by firefighters, police, and other emergency services to serve as a guide for initial actions to protect themselves and the public when they are called to handle incidents involving hazardous materials. A subject index is provided.