An investigation is the process by which police gather and examine evidence to determine if a person committed a crime. This includes questioning witnesses, collecting physical evidence, and examining computer databases. Detectives use all these tools to build a case that can be presented in court.
If you have been arrested, it is important to know what goes into a police investigation because it will impact the outcome of your case. As a Charlotte criminal defense lawyer, I can explain the basic steps that police and investigators go through to conduct an investigation in order to arrest suspects for alleged crimes.
The investigative processes start with officers documenting the crime scene and gathering any physical evidence. They will also gather forensic evidence such as fingerprints, blood, and saliva. These items are then sent to labs for analysis. Police must carefully document and store all physical and forensic evidence in order to preserve its integrity.
After the crime scene is secure, detectives begin interviewing witnesses and victims to get more information on the crime. The police interviewing techniques vary, but many law enforcement agencies use the cognitive interviewing method to help people remember relevant information. The interviewers must follow legal guidelines when interrogating suspects, including reading them their Miranda rights and limiting the amount of time they can spend asking questions.
Police also look at surveillance footage and public records to identify patterns and possible suspects in a crime. For example, they might check a computer database known as the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) to match fingerprints and DNA samples from a suspect with evidence recovered at a crime scene. In addition, they may review tips and information provided by members of the public.
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