The detectives are often able to find stolen checks and credit cards by tracing the locations where they were last used, or by identifying suspects through footage from surveillance cameras.

Depending upon the nature of the case the CID may also use forensic sciences, finger-printing, composite sketches and photo arrays, Mederos says.

The majority of this casework is done within the department, according to Mederos.

Once the CID targets a suspect in a particular crime, the detectives need to catch the suspect and conclude their investigation.

The CID employs various techniques in gathering substantial evidence of an individual's criminal activity, including relying on informants, Mederos says.

In the case of a street robber, the CID may set up a decoy (a person posing as a good victim) and wait to catch the suspect in the act.

In addition, Mederos says that one of the CID's major initiatives is to identify significant crime patterns.

Crime pattern statistics have played a critical role under Riley's new plan for policing campus, which emphasizes directing police patrols to the most crime-sensitive areas.

Under Riley's restructuring of the department, the CID detectives have also developed a closer working relationship with HUPD officers.

"There needs to be a level of training and cooperation between the community officers and the CID detectives," Riley says.

The transition to community policing will be helpful to the CID, Mederos says, because the community officers will be more aware of deviations from the normal patterns of life as well as crime trends in certain areas on campus.

Riley has nothing but praise for the CID detectives and the work they have done over the years.

"All of them are highly motivated, intelligent officers," he says.

Investigating Students

When it comes to University policy on investigating criminal activity among students, the administration is unwilling to divulge much information.