Lesson 4. Investigation Text 1. A letter from Alex

I. Read the letter and do the task following it.

Hello, Steve,

Thanks a lot for your last letter. I hope you are doing well in your exams. I have already taken tests in criminology and criminal law, and next month I am to take exams in 5 more subjects. For my last lesson of English this term, I need some material on investigation, and I’ve borrowed some information from various sources, trying to make the texts as short as possible. Could you look them through, when you have a minute to spare, and say if you approve of my choice of the material or not?

Thank you in advance. Next term, I’ll have an optional course in English, and I’ll need texts about the history of law. I’ll surf the Net and, maybe, I’ll be able to collect some interesting and informative material.

I hope you’ll have an enjoyable rest in summer and write to me about your impressions when the summer vacations are over. Have a good time!

Yours,

Alex.

II. Find in the text of the letter equivalents to the following Russian words and word combinations.

1. заранее

2. хорошо сдавать экзамены

3. источники

4. как можно короче

5. просмотреть

6. свободная минута

7. одобрить выбор материала

8. факультатив

9. содержательный

10. летние каникулы

Text 2. Physical Evidence

I. Read and translate the text.

Physical evidence is of great importance in criminal investigation. It can either clear a suspect or prove his guilt. The most important phases are the finding, the collecting and the preservation of physical evidence.

Physical evidence is something that can be measured, photographed, analysed and presented in court. Evidence that can't be duplicated is of particular importance, for example, a fingerprint.

Arriving at a crime scene, the investigating officer should do all in order to protect the crime scene and prevent anybody from touching any object. After a preliminary survey, he should show the photographer which photos to take. After that, imprints are cast. Then the fingerprint man removes the objects with fingerprints to a safe place.

All evidence should be marked, packaged and transported to a laboratory.

Vocabulary

physical evidence to clear a suspect to prove smb's guilt to present in court to duplicate a fingerprint to protect the crime scene a preliminary survey to take photos to cast imprints the fingerprint man to mark evidence to package evidence

вещественные доказательства снять подозрения с подозреваемого доказать чью-л. вину представить на суде сделать копию, дубликат отпечаток пальца оберегать место преступления предварительный осмотр места происшествия делать фотоснимки делать слепки дактилоскопист промаркировать улики упаковать улики

II. Answer the following questions.

1. What is the importance of physical evidence in criminal investigation?

2. What are the most important phases of criminal investigation?

3. What is physical evidence?

4. What kind of physical evidence is of particular importance?

5. What is the main aim of the investigating officer when he arrives at a crime scene?

6. What does the photographer do at the crime scene?

7. What is done by the fingerprint man?

8. What are the final operations?

III. Find in the text English equivalents to the following Russian words and word combinations.

1. быть очень важным

2. сбор вещественных доказательств

3. представлять особую важность

4. сохранить вещественные доказательства

5. прибыть на место преступления

6. переправить в безопасное место

7. подозреваемый

8. вина

9. этап расследования

10. измерять