The police investigation is the process of gathering information and evidence. It is an important part of police work and can take days, weeks or even years depending on the crime. It involves the police interviewing people who may have information about the crime and obtaining physical evidence. Police officers may also carry out surveillance on people who might have helpful information such as friends, family or co-workers and they can use fingerprinting, DNA sampling and polygraph testing. They might ask you to tour the area where an offence happened to help identify a suspect or attend an identity parade.
In some cases the police might arrest a suspect on suspicion of a crime but in other cases they might not find enough material to prosecute. This could be because of lack of evidence or they might not believe a case is in the public interest to pursue. They should let you know how they have decided within 5 working days.
The investigative process can be a daunting time for victims and you should feel supported throughout the investigation. The investigating officer will decide if you need special support and you can agree how often you want to hear from them about what’s happening. They should give you a crime reference number and you can call them or write to them to ask for more information about the investigation at any time. The police are committed to treating all reports of crime with sensitivity and respect.
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