The Process of Criminal Investigation and Evidence

“The investigation of [a]crime encompasses the collection of information and evidence for identifying, apprehending, and convicting suspected offenders” (Osterburg). Many things may come to mind when an investigation is mentioned, such as TV shows of Law and Order, CSI and Criminal Minds. The realities of an investigation though differ from these TV shows immensely. In reality, there are certain responsibilities an investigator must go through to achieve the evidence needed to prosecute the offender and close the case successfully. It is important to understand that an investigation ultimately contributes the resolution of crimes, which also leads to the crucial process and effort in gathering evidence to accomplish the prosecution of the case. This involves in collecting different types of evidence that need to be considered, as well as, follow necessary guidelines so all evidence is impartial, relevant, material and competent.

How does one begin to start a criminal investigation? Well, a crime must be committed and the first responders are patrol officers. They are the initial result in clearing out most crimes, why? Since they are the first to arrive at the crime scene, the officer’s conduct a preliminary investigation. This includes “in determining whether the offender is at the crime scene or in the area, responding to the victim’s needs, and ensuring the general safety of anyone in the immediate vicinity” (Grant and Terry). The initial crime scene processing and the recordings of relevant evidence and information are critical for a patrol officer to document, since the report will pass on to the detectives/investigators (Grant and Terry).

According to Osterburg, an investigation is a reconstruction of the past (5); it gives...

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...on and its connection to evidence are seen through TV shows, but the procedure an investigation goes through and its guideline are not shown. This isn’t as easy and simple as shown in television shows, but a process of trial and error most likely. An investigation only takes up 15 percent, while the 60 percent are used in patrol resources (Grant and Terry).This can clearly give you an idea that when there isn’t much evidence to pursue an investigation most likely there won’t be an investigation, unless some evidence in relation to the crime comes up.

Works Cited

Grant, Heath B and Karen J Terry. Law Enforcement in the 21st Century. New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc., 2012.

Ingram, Jefferson L. Criminal Evidence. Burlinton: Elsevier Science, 2009.

Osterburg, James W. Criminal Investigation: A Method for Reconstructing the Past. Burlington: Elsevier Science, 2010.