ABSTRACT
The crime of robbery can be defined as the taking of property from a person under the threat of force. The force can be either real, such as pointing a gun at someone, or implied, as in the threat “If you don’t give me all your money, I’ll shoot you!” A weapon may or may not be involved. There are five categories of robbery:
Commercial premises, e.g., banks, stores, hotels Private residences, i.e., home invasions Hijacking of cargo Carjacking, i.e., forcibly taking an automobile from an individual; Individuals, e.g., purse snatchings, muggings
Remembering that each crime is unique, the crime scene examiner (CSE) must, for each incident of robbery:
Discuss the crime scene with the first officer on the scene. Review the status of the investigation with the investigating officer(s) present at the
scene. Elicit available information about the number of perpetrators and their actions, in-
cluding their methods and routes; Learn everything possible about each assailant’s action(s). Find out whether a weapon or weapons were used. Acquire all known facts concerning the way in which the robbery occurred (modus
operandi and attempt to determine whether this is part of a pattern). Ascertain whether anyone was injured during the commission of the robbery. Determine whether any items of potential evidence were found or collected prior to
your arrival.
