The Investigative Process

The responsibility of all who work

within the field of criminal justice, both
public and private investigators
 Reasons to investigate:
1. Criminal act –

2. Background check –

3. Department policy –

4. Citizen complaint –

5. Rumors -
 Investigative Terminology
1. Crime – “an act or omission forbidden by
law, punishable by a fine, imprisonment,
or death”

2. Investigation – “a patient inquiry or

observation; to trace or track mentally; to
search into; to examine”

3. Investigate – to determine if a crime has

or has not occurred
- vestigare: to track or to trace

4. Criminal Investigation – “a thorough,

and objective search for the truth”
 Goals
1. Determine if a crime has been
committed

2. Legally obtain evidence and information

to identify suspects

3. Identification / arrest of suspects

4. Recover stolen property

5. Present solid case to prosecutor

 Both Science and Art
1. Laws of nature / scientific principles

2. Investigator’s ‘ART’ still relied on

3. Called hunch, gut feeling, or instinct

4. Experience, observation, and study

5. Learning / applying / changing

 Successful Investigation
1. Logical sequence followed

2. Available evidence legally obtained

3. Witnesses located / effectively interviewed

4. Suspects effectively / legally interrogated

 Success, cont.
5. Leads thoroughly developed / followed
through

6. Details accurately and completely recorded /

reported

7. Evidence properly packaged / stored

8. Professional presentation in court

- includes evidential testimony
 Functions of Investigator
1. Protect yourself and others
- primary function

2. Provide emergency assistance

- if qualified

3. Secure location / crime scene

- already discussed

4. Initial observation / walk through

- understanding of crime
 Functions, cont.
5. Photograph / video / sketch / record

6. Make notes or recordings to write reports

- maintain notebook for court

7. Search for physical evidence

- take custody of
- process all evidence

8. Obtain information from all who

have knowledge
 Functions, cont.

9. Identify suspect or primary

10. Conduct surveillance / stakeouts / other

undercover assignments

11. Conduct raids when necessary

12. Testify in court

 Overview of Investigation
1. Investigate: determine if crime occurred
(Vestigare)

2. Patient inquiry: reconstruct crime

(observation / examination / looking into /
searching)

3. Overriding goal: thorough / objective

search for truth

4. Police want to know: what happened /

who is responsible
 Overview, cont.
6. Criminal investigation:
- a science and an art

a. Science – laws of nature and scientific

principles
(ballistics, fingerprints and
polygraph)

b. Art – experience / study / and

observation