Criminology

Criminal justice system is the most vital department in every nation and it comprise of various career fields. Criminal Investigation which is the main focus of article is among the several criminal justice career fields. Criminal justice system entails a complex and long process thus professional ethics in each career field are paramount. Criminal investigation is tremendously becoming popular each day as the levels of crime are also increasing. Several stepping stones are passed in pursuing criminal investigation the chief element is education. To qualify for these field one must at least acquire a degree in Criminal investigation and later subsequent fields such as criminal justice, crime scene investigation, forensics, psychology and sociology which prepares one not only for a Criminal Investigations career but a host of other careers fields in Criminal Justice as well. Investigators have responsibility of assisting individuals, businesses and attorneys by finding and analyzing information whereby they connect clues that will uncover facts about legal, financial and personal matters. Criminal investigators comprise of computer forensic, legal, financial, corporate and retail stores or hotels investigators (Bureau of Labor Statics).

Due to nature of criminal justice system and process, education qualifications only will not make career successful. There are other factors that must be considered since they are important in everyday delivery of criminal investigation service. For any work to be successful and satisfactory, professional ethic standards must be adhered to. The objective of the research is to identify professional ethical standards in criminal investigation both formulated and unformulated in criminal justice system. Though the professional ethical standards are virtues within the career, some vices and ethical dilemmas arise within the field. The article also discusses ethical dilemmas within criminal investigation.

Professional Ethical Standards in Criminal Investigation
The nature of work within criminal investigation is directly dependent on experience and area of field concentration.  New professionals in criminal investigation may be given tasks such as examining records, assisting the prosecution body in the preparation of pre-trial evidence, conducting investigations on felony and misdemeanor trials, operating police radios and other law enforcement equipments and testifying in court about the pre-trial evidence. As more experiences are gained, the roles and responsibilities of criminal investigators get increasing thus there is need for professional ethical standards.

Criminal investigators are entitled with fundamental duty to serve humankind, to safeguard lives and property, to protect all persons against deception, the weak against oppression, peaceful against disorders and to respect the constitutional rights of all people to liberty, equality and justice. Criminal investigators are expected to have characteristics such as strength, endurance, permanence, honesty, virtue and authenticity (The Institute for Law Enforcement Administration).  Professions of Judicial system are expected to have unfailing honesty, respect for the dignity and human beings as well as commitment in service delivery (American Correctional Association).  The following are professional ethical standards expected from the criminal investigation officials

Investigators must be attentive to the law while carrying out investigations by keeping up   with Federal, State and local legislation. Clear judgments must be made on how to pursue a case and to collect proper evidence in order for investigators not to compromise its permissibility in the legal proceedings. In addition they must be commendable by abiding in laws and regulations of the state and department (Bureau of Labor Statics). Those who enforce the law must not merely obey it, but they must have an obligation to set a moral example in which the protected individuals may follow (The Institute for Criminal Justice Ethics).

Criminal justice officials are expected to respect, promote and contribute safe, healthy and free of harassment working environment. The criminal investigator must refrain from any professional activity that jeopardizes personal health and safety (American Correctional Association).

Appropriate report shall be produced before the authorities if any corrupt or unethical behaviors are being suspected or detected when evidence is sufficient to justify information presented. The officials must be concerned in reporting any matter that will threaten the preservation integrity to authorities. (The Institute for Law Enforcement Administration) and (American Correctional Association). 
Investigators must practice fairness and compassion to ensure that each individual is treated with the highest regard to constitution, civil and human rights (The Institute for Criminal Justice Ethics).
Criminal investigators must not in any way breach confidentiality. Spoken or written information concerning an individual must not be shared with other people except indicated otherwise or used for purpose other than intention of information collected.

Investigators must not get involved in any form of discrimination against citizens, since all laws are applicable to all people regardless of creed, race, nation of origin, religion, sex, age, disability and social status. All citizens are protected by law and regulations therefore each individual is entitled to legal representation (Neff and Sullivan, 1998).

Investigators have a primary responsibility of protection of human life and property, maintenance of peace in community and to enforcement of laws equally and fairly in regard to all citizens. They must respect and protect the civil and legal rights of all individuals (Neff and Sullivan, 1998).
Criminal investigators must adhere to the objective and impartial search for truth by abstaining from any circumstance that undermines professional commitment. They must be  truthful and open in all communication regarding colleagues and the public except if communication is suspected to compromise confidentiality

Law enforcers must work only within the confinement of their authority and the power of arrest, search and seizure bestowed to them must not be abused.

Every professional situation must be treated with concern for the welfare of the individuals involved and not for personal intention for gain. Law enforcers should obey the law by being good examples, special privileges should not be granted to immediate friends and relatives. Law must not in way be used for personal gain of power. Legal positions should not be used to secure personal privileges or advantages.

Criminal justice officials must abstain from accepting any gratitude, gifts, services or favors from the public which will interfere with justice administration.

Investigation officers must always cooperate legally with other departments regardless of political affiliations.

While on private mission, officers must always consider the fact that they are public officials hence conduct in and out of official duty must be ethical. The law must be upheld both in public duty and in private life.

Officers must refrain from any undue legal process where force or violation of the civil rights of the public is used to maintain law.

During investigations, facts must be collected and analyzed to obtain the truth with aim of defending the innocent and taking legal actions on guilt criminals. Investigation officers must be loyal and faithful with the aim of acquitting the innocent and convicting the guilty.

Mutual respect and relationships with colleagues must be maintained with aim of promoting the profession and quality service improvement.

 Importance of all discipline within the criminal justice system and diligence in work to improve cooperation within each department must be adhered to.

Investigators have an obligation to report facts and make testimonies without prejudice or display any emotion and the information provided must be sacredly true to be used in legal purposes.

Ethical Dilemmas in Criminal Investigation
It is expected that professional ethical standards are upheld in criminal justice systems which may not be the case all the times. Sometimes ethical dilemmas arise during criminal investigation due to human, natural or technical drawbacks.

Despite the emphasis on ethical codes in criminal investigation, some investigators develop early prejudice concerning individuals perceived to be guilty.  Evidences are analyzed less objectively which may result to noble-cause corruption for conviction to take place. Witnesses and evidences are ignored to shore up case against individuals. Some investigations fail due to human ignoring evidence where true criminal are not identified while others are suspected, charged and convicted because investigators dint carry out collection and interpretation of evidence in a set protocol (Pollock, 2008).

In other cases lab examinations fails the investigations where the findings and samples are misplaced and misinterpreted. These arise when lab technicians are not scientifically objective or have conspired with investigators in favor of innocent or guilty party.  Despite the provision of correct evidence samples such as finger prints and DNA, the contamination may occur and justice may not be achieved (Pollock, 2008).  Those seeking justice faces discrimination in regard to their age, gender, race and social status, some investigators dont take seriously the evidence by witnesses and victims of injustices given due to high discrimination rates. Care and support given to rape victims are not prioritized and often the victims of rape dont get any justice since there are no investigations being conducted.

Conclusion
Criminal investigation is recognized as a  position and symbol of public faith where criminal investigators are  expected to accept position as a public trust to be held as long as the truth to ethics of the criminal justice system are highly upheld.  The code of professional ethical standards must entail responsibility, integrity, confidentiality and honesty to enhance successful criminal justice process. The core values for criminal justice must be fully understood, practiced, shared, defended and preserved with the aim of achieving professional ethical standards. Professional ethics helps in development of right conscience which guides law enforcement officials to conduct successful justice.

Code of ethics is indispensable in any profession and lack of it leads to profession extinction. Rules and regulations formulated must adhere to the highest ethical standards of criminal investigation and no room of compromise must be tolerated. For code of ethics to be effective, all areas of judicial system must be covered with the basic objectives being embraced.