Topics covered in the PCI Study Group

Case Management

Analyze case for applicable ethical conflicts
- Conflict resolution elements
- Nature/types/categories of ethical issues related to cases (fiduciary, conflict of interest, attorney-client)
- Applicable aspects of laws, codes, and regulations
Analyze and assess case elements and strategies
- Case categories (computer, white collar, financial, criminal, etc.)
- Analytical methods to data
- Strategic/operational analysis
- Lethality of crime intelligence
Determine need and develop strategy by reviewing procedural options
- Case flow
- Negotiation process
- Investigative methods
- Cost-benefit analysis
- Applicable aspects of laws, codes and regulations
Manage and implement investigative resources necessary to address case objectives
- Manpower and assignment
- Time management
- Quality assurance process
- Review chain of custody procedures
Identify and evaluate investigative process improvement opportunities
- Management/legal review
- Liaison resources
- Internal and external analysis
- Resolution

Investigative Techniques and Procedures

Conduct surveillance by physical and electronic means in order to obtain relevant information
- Methods of surveillance
- Types of surveillance
- Types of surveillance equipment
- Pre-surveillance routines
- Applicable aspects of laws, codes, and regulations
- Documentation of surveillance activities
Conduct interviews/interrogations of witnesses and subjects to obtain relevant information
- Interview and interrogation techniques (electronic, face-to-face, telephonic)
- Techniques for detecting deception (e.g., non-verbal communication)
- Methods and techniques of eliciting admission and/or confession
- Documentation and completion of witness/subject statement
- Applicable aspects of laws, codes, and regulations (e.g., individual rights, privacy, interrogation)
Collect and preserve objects and data for assessment and analysis
- Requirements of chain of custody
- Methods/procedures for seizure of various types of evidence
- Methods/procedures for preserving various types of evidence
- Forensic opportunities and resources
- Applicable aspects of laws, codes, and regulations (e.g., rules of evidence and discovery)
Conduct research by physical and electronic means and analyze data to obtain relevant information
- Methods of research using physical resources
- Methods of research using electronic resources
- Methods of analysis of research results
- Documentation and reporting of analytical efforts
- Applicable aspects of laws, codes, and regulations
Collect and report relevant information
- Obtaining information from federal, state, and local agencies
- Obtaining information from companies and private/public enterprises (e.g. mutual aid)
- Documentation and reporting of information
- Applicable aspects of laws, codes and regulations
Use computers/digital media to gather information/evidence
- Concepts and principals of computer operations and digital media
- Concepts and principals of digital forensics
- Computers to retrieve, store and document digital information
- Documentation and reporting of information
- Applicable aspects of laws, codes and regulations
Use special investigative techniques to gather critical information/evidence
- Concepts, principles and methods of polygraph examinations
- Concepts, principles and methods of video/audio recordings
- Concepts, principles and methods of forensic analysis (e.g., writing, documents, fingerprints, DNA, biometrics, chemicals, fluids, etc.)
- Concepts, principles and methods of undercover investigations
- Documentation and reporting of information
- Applicable aspects of laws, codes and regulations
- Development of confidential sources

Case Presentation

Prepare report to substantiate investigative findings
- Critical elements and format of an investigative report
- Investigative terminology
- Logical sequencing of information
- Applicable aspects of laws, codes, and regulations
Prepare and present testimony by reviewing case files, meeting with counsel and presenting relevant facts
- Witness preparation
- Types of testimony
- Applicable aspects of laws, codes, and regulations (e.g., applicable privileges, hearsay, rules of procedure)