Understanding crime scene investigations from the patrol officer's perspective: A phenominological study

A patrol officer may be viewed in many variations that encompass safety for the public and community service, but one particular image of a patrol officer is that which is tasked with aiding crime scene investigations. This study used a qualitative research design employing phenomenology to explore patrol officers' experiences and training for aiding crime scene investigations. As a result, this phenomenological study examined the lived experiences and training of patrol officer as it pertains to successfully aiding crime scene investigations. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 experienced law enforcement patrol officers from various police agencies in New Jersey. The application of the adult learning theory highlighted significant relationships between the perceptions of training and the proficiency of patrol officers with the perceptions of success in aiding crime scene investigations. Adult learning methodologies were examined to appropriately articulate the culture in which the patrol officer utilizes training to aid crime scene investigative practices. This study also provides patrol officers' perspectives regarding the current training and proficiency methods, while also providing insight into their best methods of learning and training to proficiency. The patrol officers' experiences provided significant insight into the meaning of their work and the importance of their training. A commonality was evident among the participants' experiences and perceptions of effective training and the adult learning theory. The data gathered offered a vivid insight into patrol officers' experiences and perceptions for successfully aiding crime scene investigations.