Introduction
Conducting a successful criminal investigation begins with the ability to carry out an efficient preliminary investigation; from which the major case and criminal investigation are built (Four, Five, & Six, 2015). The effectiveness of an investigation depends on the attitude of the investigating officer, and the guiding principles followed. It is important for officers to select appropriate groundwork procedures that will lead to definitive evidence collection as well as subsequent crime investigation. Most cases are different; therefore, there is no standardized routine for conductive investigations. However, officers should be flexible, creative, and open-minded when following the basic guidelines for conducting both preliminary and main investigations.
Guidelines for Conducting Preliminary Investigations
It is imperative for the investigator to follow the investigation principles that will keep the investigation in line. The objective of conducting an initial inquiry is to determine and examine the authenticity of the criminal case. Therefore, the investigation officer should have a defined rationale from which the case is built. Also, the officer should ensure that the shreds of evidence are uninterrupted and collected using the most appropriate methods and in time. During the investigation, the officer should make sure that he or she does not deviate from the objectivity of the case; keeping fairness and impartiality throughout the process.
The process of preliminary investigation should be done with veracity and competency free from influence or manipulation of any kind. In the case of any conflict of interests or potential conflict of interest, the investigating officers should inform the respective superiors in time to avoid any chances of prejudice. Suitable crime inquiry procedures for the actual investigation and evidence collection should be put in place; that are by the law.
It is vital that the investigating officer ensures that the information gathered from the preliminary investigation is not interrupted and protected from the public. For confidential cases, appropriate measures that safeguard the evidence from any leakages to the public should be a priority.
Strategy for Conducting Efficient Follow-up on Investigation
That major strategy that investigation officers should consider to carry out an active investigation follow-up is efficient and comprehensive interviews with the crime witnesses and victims (Rossy, & Ribaux, 2014). Also, the officer should persuade the witnesses to contact the authorities in case of any changes or need for further interrogation. Measures that will give the witnesses a feeling of protection and freedom should also be put in place during the interview.
This strategy is most appropriate as it will allow for more witnesses to volunteer in assisting in the investigation process by providing more information without hesitation. Spontaneous information that is not interview oriented tends to be quite accurate, unlike interview questions. Therefore, the investigator should use open-end questions that will enable the witnesses to give a lot of information; which the officer will consolidate during the investigation process.
Differences in Reporting Crime
The methods of crime reporting vary with the nature of the offense. For instance, a homicide crime report, and sexual violation crimes are reported differently. A murder report is intensive involving a team of experts such as doctors and forensics working to determine the cause of death. It is important to gather pieces of evidence to show that the cause of death is unnatural for the crime to be considered authentic. The dead body is examined thoroughly and a conclusive forensic report included in the homicide crime report; including any other evidence in the surrounding environment and potential witnesses.
On the other hand, sexual assault crimes are usually reported based on the narration of the victims or the witnesses if there are any. Also, the report has to contain all the factual information from the case, the offender, witnesses, and victims, the location of the crime et cetera.
Characteristics of Efficient Investigator
The three primary characteristics of a crime investigator include a sense of integrity, excellent communication skills, as well as honesty and ethics (Westera, Kebbell, Milne, & Green, 2016). For investigators to steer clear of wrongful convictions during the crime investigation process, they need to possess a high sagacity of integrity. Lack of integrity can cause ignorance to relevant information that may lead wrong outcomes of the investigations.
Good investigators should have the ability to communicate efficiently with the witnesses and suspects. Excellent communication skills will result in extraction of vital information from the victims and witnesses that will be useful in solving the case. For instance, a proper investigation officer will know when to use direct accusations, or subtle strategies on the suspects to make them talk.
Honesty and ethics are better-qualities that will uphold the reputation or the investigator. An honest investigation officer will ensure that only the right and truthful information are included in the investigation report without any favoritism. Biases in any crime investigation annihilate the reputation of the officer and the department as a whole.
Balance between Freedom of Information through Media and Privacy Rights of the Perpetrators
The privacy of crime perpetrators as well as the victims should be protected. During the investigation process, the suspect is considered innocent until declared guilty by the court of law. Disclosure of the investigation information to the media can lead to an obliteration of the victim's or suspect's image; especially if there are not enough evidence gathered. Therefore, it is important to protect the confidentiality of the investigation report at well as the victims information. Disclosure of information concerning the crime perpetrators may jeopardize their safety, or create unlawful chances of retaliations.
References
Four, D., Five, D., & Six, D. (2015). Crime scene investigation and reconstruction.
Rossy, Q., & Ribaux, O. (2014). A collaborative approach for incorporating forensic case data into crime investigation using criminal intelligence analysis and visualization. Science & Justice, 54(2), 146-153.
Westera, N. J., Kebbell, M. R., Milne, B., & Green, T. (2016). Towards a more effective detective. Policing and Society, 26(1), 1-17.
