Customer Reviews

Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This text is a must for any criminal justice student or law enforcement officer. The book covers all aspects of the art of investigation. Only through real world experience will an investigator become an expert in this field, however this book lays a very solid foundation and contains many sound, tried and proven criminal investigative techniques. I have been a law enforcement agent for twenty years and this is one of the cornerstones in my personal library of law books.
The seventh edition contains approximately 900 pages, but is a very interesting read. I have probably read most of it, including some chapters multiple times. The information inside the chapters is clearly written, easy to understand and no nonsense. This book should be required reading in every police academy in the country.

I recently gave my first copy of this book to a relative who just graduated college with a CJ degree. The first copy of this book assisted me in promoting three times in my law enforcement career. The information contained within the cover of this book is more than just theory. When put to practice the info is right on. The first copy of the book didn't have too much info on electronic/IT type investigations but the new edition has info on this subject.
I would highly recommend this book for a new investigator as well as a seasoned investigator as there is info to help the new and refresh the seasoned. I'm retired now but I still pull it off the shelf for reference.

Anyone in law enforcement knows this book - and hates the fact they should read it!

This is one of those necessary evils...something you have to read, but wish you didn't. the information is solid, stands the test of time, and it is one ofthe best and most comprehensive investigation books avaiable.

Make sure you get the study guide also!

First, allow me to emphasize the seminal place in law enforcement literature that this book deserves. It truly was a landmark book, and in many respects deserves to be read today. Many aspects of law enforcment, such as investigative strategies and mindsets, remain unchanged. So do basics like search patterns, the role of the investigator's notebook, and interviewing strategies.

However...

The book loses focus once it gives advice on the use of 35mm cameras and typewriters. Here it is hopelessly outdated. While the cop doesn't change, the tools at his/her disposal certainly do. I had hoped that this book would have kept pace, but sadly it did not. I think there are other more current books on basic investigative techniques available that unfortunately put this book back up on the hallowed shelves and out of the everyday toolbox. Sorry.. I had such high hopes for this, but in the end I ended up selling it back.

The Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation by Charles E.O'Hara provides a particuarly informative and comprehensive insight into the specific areas of criminal investigation. The author includes detailed explanations and supports his theories with the use of factual information and case studies. As I am currently studying law, I have been searching for a text which provides me with detailed information and everything I need to know. This book certainly has it all. This is must-have for those studying criminal investigation.

Although a long book, it was very easy to read. It was an interesting read also.

The book was easy reading however, some of the chapters were way too long and dry and could have been shortened. I tend to lose credibility in a book when I see a typo, and there were quite a few throughout the book.

The book was deceptive in size, however, it was needed for class. So the size would not have mattered. The book is easy to read and broken down nicely into smaller chapters.

Dont let the thickness of the book fool ya!
It is an excelent book, very easy to understand and excelent information.

In the chapter on sex crimes in this book, the O'Haras explain how homosexuals need to be closely watched and how they have a predisposition toward negative and criminal acts. Much of this is very stereotyped.
Didn't this type of thinking go out with the last Edsel to be produced? NO, I am not glorifying alternative lifestyles, but the O'Haras seem to be wanting more attention paid to them by law enforcement than is realistic.
If we followed the anti-gay fervor of this book, then we would be dedicating more police hours to the "homosexual problem" than is economically feasible.
If the O'Haras had fixated upon stereotypes of Roman Catholics or African-Americans instead of gays, this book would disappear off the shelves forever.
Such material does not belong in a good police investigations manual today. Child sex abuse, crack dealing, murder, and arson belong there, but too much time is spent on social problems and lifestyles.