Investigator and Fraud Fighter Guidebook: Operation War Stories

Investigator and Fraud Fighter Guidebook: Operation War Stories

Released April 2014
Publisher(s): Wiley
ISBN: 9781118871171

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Book description

Get federal investigative insight and guidance on conducting thorough investigations and case-building

The ability to conduct thorough and effective investigations is a skill that has become increasingly in-demand across many industries. At the same time, investigative resources are dwindling as markets recede. Regulation and financial hurdles impede traditional investigation processes. Even seasoned professionals are finding themselves overtasked or lacking the experience to pursue the types of cases that are accumulating.

In Investigator and Fraud Fighter Guidebook: Operation War Stories, author Charles E. Piper, CFE provides insight and guidance on how to conduct thorough and complete investigations while juggling a caseload. Piper served over 30 years in law enforcement-including 20 as an award-winning Federal Special Agent-Criminal Investigator. His wide array of experience allows him to lend a high-level perspective to the art and science of professional investigations of criminal, civil, and administrative cases. In the book, Piper provides guidance on conducting thorough and complete investigations (even with fewer resources) and spotting red flags that often indicate big-picture problems. Piper also shows how to:

  • Identify the suspect's other wrongful acts (similar and otherwise)

  • Identify similar wrongful acts committed by others, and predict future occurrences

  • Identify systemic weaknesses, waste, and abuse

  • Identify changes and corrections necessary to prevent future occurrences

    • The book includes Piper's real-life investigative examples to illustrate important concepts. Whether the matter is public, private, or military, the same basic investigative principles apply. Things that may seem totally unrelated may hold the keys that crack the cases. The Investigator and Fraud Fighter Guidebook: Operation War Stories provides the acumen and judgment required to pick up on these clues and successfully conclude investigations.

    Table of contents

    1. Cover Page
    2. Title Page
    3. Copyright
    4. Contents
    5. Preface
    6. Acknowledgments
    7. Chapter 1: The Successful Investigator
      1. The Basics
      2. Investigators
      3. If You Have the PIG, You Have It Made
      4. Investigation
      5. Success
    8. Chapter 2: Case Initiation
      1. Jurisdiction, Venue, and Purview
      2. Believable, Reliable, or Credible Source of Information
      3. Dollar Loss
      4. Seriousness/Harm
      5. Caseload
      6. Resources
      7. Funding/Finances
      8. Investigators' Desire
      9. Investigative Priorities
      10. Projected Remedy
      11. Prosecutor's Prerogative
      12. Media or Public Interest
      13. Political Interests
    9. Chapter 3: Conducting Thorough Investigations
      1. Questions to Answer
      2. Seven Questions: Five Ws and Two Hs
      3. Before, During, and After
    10. Chapter 4: Expanding Investigative Efforts
      1. Comparisons
      2. NCIC
      3. INTERPOL
      4. Resources
      5. Seven Questions: Five Ws and Two Hs Plus “Else”
      6. Currently, Previously, or in the Future
      7. Thinking Like Others
      8. Three Investigative Exploration Approaches
      9. Follow the Same Blueprint
    11. Chapter 5: Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Systemic Weaknesses
      1. Fraud
      2. Waste
      3. Abuse
      4. Systemic Weaknesses
      5. Ten Simultanous Investigations
      6. Suggestions for Improvement
    12. Chapter 6: Summary Reports
      1. Types of Investigative Reports
      2. Official Files and Working Files
      3. Other Reports
      4. Preparing to Write
      5. Length of Reports
      6. Attachments and Exhibits to Reports
      7. Reports Should Stand Alone
      8. Report Formats
      9. Common Report-Writing Mistakes
    13. Chapter 7: The Investigator's Toolbox: Resources, Tools, and Techniques
      1. Investigative Resources
      2. Investigative Tools and Techniques
      3. Search Warrants
      4. Subpoenas
      5. Interceptions and Tracking Devices
      6. NCIC
      7. Mail Covers
      8. Trash Covers
      9. Undercover Assignments
      10. Photography and Video, and Audio Recordings
      11. Laboratory Analysis
      12. Informants
      13. Polygraphs and Deception Detectors
      14. Analysis and Audits
      15. Other Case Files and Police Reports
      16. Ask
    14. Chapter 8: Interviewing
      1. Interviews and Interrogation
      2. Rapport
      3. Listen and Then Talk
      4. Note Taking
      5. Corroboration
      6. Word Choice
      7. Planning
      8. Body Language
      9. Props
      10. Finish the Job
      11. Empathy
      12. Statement Analysis
      13. Think Plural
      14. Interview Notes
      15. Interview Room Sketches and Photographs
    15. Chapter 9: Case Planning
      1. Plans Change
      2. Murphy's Law
      3. Private Investigations
      4. Administrative Responsibilities
      5. Case Files
      6. Electronic Case Folder
      7. Working File
      8. Official File
      9. Investigative Plan
      10. Summary
      11. Juggling a Caseload and Time Management
    16. Chapter 10: Large-Scale Investigations
      1. Communication
      2. Planning
      3. Interview Log
      4. Re: Strategy
      5. Final Summary Report
      6. Attachments and Exhibits
      7. Postdraft Report
      8. Report Distribution
      9. Investigative Notes and Evidence
    17. Chapter 11: Making Presentations
      1. Graphics, Charts, Visual Aids, Photos, and Videos
      2. Investigator's Appearance and Voice
      3. A Copy for the Prosecutor
      4. Presentations to Supervisors
      5. Indictments, Convictions, and Dollar Recoveries
    18. Chapter 12: Providing Testimony
      1. Dealing with Opposing Counsel
      2. Visual Aids in Court
      3. Make Sure You Understand the Question
    19. Chapter 13: Closing the Case
      1. Old Case Files
      2. Evidence
      3. Recommendations for Improvement
      4. Suspensions, Debarment, and Improvement Plans
    20. Chapter 14: Personal and Professional Growth
      1. Training
      2. Networking
      3. Physical Fitness
      4. Morale
      5. Insurance and Representation
      6. Preparing for the Future
      7. Teddy Roosevelt
    21. Conclusion
    22. Appendix: Samples of Case Presentation Visual Aids
    23. About the Author
    24. Index

    Product information

    • Title: Investigator and Fraud Fighter Guidebook: Operation War Stories
    • Author(s):
    • Release date: April 2014
    • Publisher(s): Wiley
    • ISBN: 9781118871171