Criminal Investigation

An investigative mind-set

Questioning what has been put in front of you by finding, seeking and securing best evidence

Assume nothing 

Believe no-one 

Challenge everything

Not taking things by face value, keep an open mind and question/probe probability

5 MAIN PRINCIPLES:

1) Understanding sources of material 

2) Planning and preparation 

3) Examination 

4) Recording and collation 

5) Evaluation 

A crime is an offence punishable by law - the police have a legal and personal responsibility to investigate crime

Criminal investigation is key in the police service 

Led to a criminal investigation and legal clarification 

CRIMINAL PROCEDURES AND INVESTIGATION ACT 1996 (CPIA)

An investigation conducted by police officers with a view to it being ascertained whether a person should be charged with an offence or whether a person charged with an offence shall be guilty of it

This will include:

1) Investigations into crimes that have been committed

2) Investigations whose purpose it is to ascertain whether a crime has been committed, with a purpose to the possible institution of criminal proceedings; and

3) Investigations which begin in the belief that a crime may be committed, for example when the police keep premises or individuals under observation for a period of time, with a view to the possible institution of criminal proceedings

4) Charging a person with an offence includes prosecution by way of summons

CRIME MAY BE COMMITTED

WHETHER A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED 

INVESTIGATION WHEN CRIMES HAVE BEEN COMMITTED 

Taking statements, examination, 'who did it?', examine intelligence

Intelligence led, surveillance and crime pattern analysis

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND INVESTIGATIONS ACT 1996

- Recording information and retaining records of information along with other materials (all lines of enquiry, record, retain, relevant material)

INCLUDES:

IPCC

SERIOUS FRAUD OFFICE

DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT

Decides what should be disclosed to the defence and what is relevant 

INTERVIEWING

SEARCHING 

UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL CONTEXT 

IMPACT ON VICTIMS/WITNESSES AND THE COMMUNITIES 

KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW AND HUMAN BEHAVIOUR 

• VICTIM CARE 
• IDENTIFICATION - LOCATION AND PROTECTION OF MATERIAL 
• EVIDENCE ADMISSIBLE IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

1) Total material generated by the offence - aim to maximise 

2) Material gathered by the police

3) Material admissible as evidence - this can be reduced during an investigation 

• TO RECORD/RETAIN ALL EVIDENCE 
• REASONABLE STEPS AND LINES OF ENQUIRY ARE PURSUED
• LEGALLY ACCOUNTABLE IF NOT CARRIED OUT 

VICTIMS - personal property, bank details etc

WITNESSES - CCTV recordings to legally seize

SUSPECTS

LOCATIONS - scenes of crime etc, victims and suspects

PASSIVE DATA GENERATORS - systems recording automatic data (e.g. you may need to obtain bank records, telephone records, SMS etc)

LEGAL PRIVILEGE - solicitor call

INTELLIGENCE DATABASES - you may need a warrant but not subject to legal privalege 

ANY TANGIBLE OBJECTS 

• Video/audio recordings
• Fingerprints
• Images 
• Physical exhibits (e.g. weapons)
• Reports 
• Documents 
• Statements 

- You have one chance at a crime scene to plan and prepare 

Scene examination - to be the first priority and right the first time, otherwise vital evidence will be missed 

(LOCARD'S PRINCIPLE OF CRIME SCENE PROTECTION) "Every contact leaves a trace"

Recollections may fade with time 

- Prioritise first actions - seize, record and retain 

- What do I already have? Investigative leads?

- Where has it come from?

- What does it mean?