Investigators’ roles are largely complete when they hand an investigation over to the District Attorney’s office. Investigators may be called on, however, to help prepare evidence to be presented at trial and to testify about the investigation.
In this assignment, you will outline how investigative procedures support the use of evidence in court proceedings and the trial preparation for a criminal prosecution.
Create a table detailing information for each of the following phases of an investigation:
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The Initial Crime Scene.
- Describe the steps in processing the initial crime scene.
- Describe the responsibilities and priorities for investigators.
- Describe the steps in documenting the crime scene.
- What are the investigator’s legal obligations at this phase?
- What are pitfalls to avoid at this phase?
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The Investigation.
- Examine procedures and best practices for gathering information.
- Examine procedures and best practices for conducting witness interviews.
- What are the investigator’s legal obligations at this phase?
- What are pitfalls to avoid at this phase?
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Apprehend Suspects.
- Analyze strategies for identifying suspects.
- Analyze strategies for locating and apprehending suspects.
- Analyze strategies for conducting the interrogation.
- What are the investigator’s legal obligations at this phase?
- What are pitfalls to avoid at this phase?
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The Final Report.
- Describe parts of the final report.
- Analyze procedures for assembling and organizing the final report.
- Analyze procedures for presenting the case to prosecutors.
- What are the investigator’s legal obligations at this phase?
- What are pitfalls to avoid at this phase?
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Prepare for Prosecution.
- Describe the investigator’s role in preparing evidence for presentation.
- Describe the investigator’s role in preparing for trial testimony.
