Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nSEMINOLE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE NUMBER:
G-69
GENERAL ORDER
RESCINDS: Formerly E-24
SUBJECT: Preliminary and Follow-Up Investigations
EFFECTIVE: April 14, 1995
REVISED: April 22, 2024
Table of Contents
I. Purpose
II. Scope
III. Definitions
IV. Preliminary Investigations
V. Follow-Up Investigative Procedures (General)
VI. Background Investigations
VII. Response to Major Crime Scenes
VIII. Investigative Assistance Provided by the Major Crimes Unit
IX. Investigative Assistance Provided by the Drug Enforcement and Behavioral Services Division
X. Investigative Assistance Provided by the Crimes Against Children Unit
XI. Sexual Battery Investigations
XII. Response to Stolen/Recovered Vehicles
XIII. Death Investigations (Guidelines)
XIV. Investigative Checklists
XV. Identity Theft Investigations
XVI. Cold Case Investigations
XVII. Undercover Computer Investigations.
I. PURPOSE:
This directive provides policy and procedures for conducting preliminary and follow-up investigations. It includes
procedures for responding to major crime scenes and describes assistance provided by investigative units.
II. SCOPE:
A. The concept of Seminole Neighborhood Policing includes Deputies, Field Service Officers and civilian
support personnel applying the principles of problem solving to investigate crimes and develop ideas that
produce solutions. Whenever practical, a division’s resources will be brought to bear on a criminal
offense.
B. With this understanding, all investigative branches of the Sheriff’s Office are available on a 24-hour basis
to support (or assume responsibility for) an investigation. Detectives assigned to these components
conduct interviews, assist with search warrants, facilitate advanced investigative techniques, and provide
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Preliminary and Follow-Up Investigations
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G-69
-69\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nassistance, equipment and instruction as needed. The specialized training and level of experience these
Detectives provide are great resources to the division that wishes to retain ownership of cases it initiates.
C. The responsibility for investigating violent offenses and other incidents that are significant, according to
the crime committed or the complexity of the investigation should be transferred to either Major Crimes
or Crimes Against Children. These offenses do not typically lend themselves to investigations conducted
at the division level, and it is in the best interest of the community that responsibility for these
investigations is transferred to a specialized unit.
D. The decision as to which investigations are transferred to one of these components usually begins with
division supervisors, as they are more familiar with division resources (such as experience and the
availability of personnel and equipment). Consultation with supervisors assigned to these components
can resolve any question concerning the availability of services.
III. DEFINITIONS:
A. Preliminary Investigation:
Preliminary investigations begin when a Deputy/Field Service Officer arrives at a scene. Preliminary
investigations gather facts and evidence to determine the criminality or non-criminality of an incident and
to take such action as necessary to close the case or refer it for further investigation.
B. Follow-up Investigation:
Follow-up investigations are a continuation of the preliminary investigation. Follow-up investigations
provide additional information to arrest an offender, recover stolen property, or inactivate (close) a case.
IV. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS:
A. Preliminary investigations continue until a final disposition is made, further investigation is postponed
(but without jeopardizing the successful completion of the case) or, due to the nature of the incident,
responsibility for completing the investigation is transferred to another Deputy/Field Service Officer.
B. Preliminary investigative procedures include the following:
1. Provide first aid within the limits of training or summon first aid for injured persons,
2. Observe all conditions, events and remarks, and take appropriate notes,
3. Determine if an offense has been committed and, if so, the exact nature and circumstances,
4. Protect the crime scene to ensure that evidence is not lost or contaminated,
5. Arrange for the collection of evidence,
6. Furnish personnel with a description, method and direction of flight, and other relevant
information concerning wanted persons or vehicles,
7. Locate and obtain complete identification of all witnesses,
8. Interview complainants, victims and witnesses to determine what information is known by them,
9. If necessary or appropriate, obtain written statements from victims, witnesses and suspects (if
such statements can be obtained legally),
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11. Determine the identity of any suspects and effect (or assist with) an arrest if it can be
accomplished either at the scene or through immediate pursuit by a Deputy, and
12. Render appropriate victim/witness assistance as required by the Enforcement Policy and
Procedure Victim and Witness Services.
C. When practical, the initial responding Deputy/Field Service Officer may continue their investigation until
all leads are exhausted.
D. Field Service Officers will contact a Deputy when it is determined an opportunity to take enforcement
action is present.
E. Deputies and Field Service Officers, when unable to determine the final disposition of an assigned case
by the end of their tour of duty shall, through a supervisor, submit the investigation for re-assignment to a
General Assignment Detective.
F. Investigations reassigned to General Assignment Detective shall not preclude the original reporting
Deputy/Field Service Officer from assisting the General Assignment Detective to successfully complete
the investigation.
V. FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES (GENERAL):
A. Follow-up investigations may be assigned to another Deputy, Field Service Officer, Property Crimes
Detective, Drug Enforcement & Behavioral Services Division or the Criminal Investigations Division
by the reviewing division/region supervisor (see the Enforcement Policy and Procedure Investigative
Case Management).
B. Supplemental reports detailing the progress of an investigation will be submitted electronically by the
end of shift unless approved by a supervisor.
C. Unless otherwise directed by a reviewing supervisor, all criminal cases will be followed up at least one
time in order to ensure that the victim's needs have been met, that all facts have been properly recorded,
and to determine if any additional information is available to aid the investigation.
D. It is the responsibility of investigating Deputies and Detectives to re-contact victims as soon as practical
but within five business days from the date the report is reviewed and assigned. Each contact, including
any supplemental reports or other information, will be documented in a supplemental report or case note
section in Café.
E. Investigating Deputies are responsible for re-contacting victims when new information is developed, and
for following up leads and gathering information to attempt to bring the investigation to successful
closure.
F. Investigating Deputies will ensure that all applicable victim/witness procedures have been followed (see
the Enforcement Policy and Procedure Victim and Witness Services).
G. The following investigative steps provide guidelines for conducting a follow-up investigation (some of
the following are dependent upon the nature of the incident being investigated):
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Preliminary and Follow-up Investigations
GO # 69 PAGE 3 OF 26\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\n1. Review and analyze all preliminary reports, checking to ensure that the preliminary
investigation was thoroughly conducted and resolving any problems that may be indicated.
2. Conduct follow-up in