Abstract
The preliminary investigation in some cases may be sufficient to bring a case to a satisfactory conclusion, hence eliminating the essence of a follow-up investigation. However, in some complicated cases, additional efforts may be required to respond to the case. An investigator from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is notified to initiate the follow-up investigations. The follow-up investigation is carried out methodically so that the crime scene cannot be disturbed. The purpose of a follow-up investigation includes collecting additional information to clear a case, recover stolen property, identify and apprehend a criminal, gather additional evidence, or to present evidence in court. In a follow-up investigation, a criminal investigator is required to review and analyze reports that were previously prepared in the preliminary report. It may also involve checking department records, conducting follow-up inquiries and interviews, interrogating witnesses, victims, suspects and responding officers among others.
Introduction
According to Palmiotto (2012), t he preliminary investigation is defined as a proceeding that is aimed at determining whether there is sufficient evidence to ascertain that a crime has been committed and a respondent is guilty thereof and should be tried. The prosecutor is in charge of leading the preliminary investigation while the real investigation is done by the police under the stewardship of the prosecutor. On the other hand, a follow-up investigation involves the effort of the investigative agencies in collecting information after the initiation of the initial report until prosecution is ready (14-15). The discussion will analyze the guidelines for conducting a preliminary investigation and the strategy that an investigator should take to conduct an effective follow-up.
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Guidelines for Conducting Preliminary Investigation
The effectiveness of preliminary investigation is highly dependent on how each stage in the framework is carried out. The first responding officer sets into motion the framework for the preliminary investigation. The first step is normally to determine whether an offense has taken place or not. This starts at the time the police officer receives and responds to the call. The police, therefore, gauges the scene and determines whether a criminal activity has occurred, psychologically preparing themselves before arrival at the crime scene. On arrival, a quick visual survey is important to identify any injuries and witnesses that could be around especially when the suspect has already left the scene. The first officers to arrive have a duty to ensure that potential witnesses do not leave the crime scene before being interrogated.
The officers have a mandate to analyze solvability factors to increase the likelihood for solving the crime. Such factors include the witnesses, description, and identification of the suspect, presence of physical evidence and establishing if there could be anyone other than the suspect committing the crime. In most cases, the information collected at the preliminary investigation stage should be adequate to warrant an arrest.
Follow-Up Investigation
The essence of carrying out a follow-up investigation is to fill in the missing gaps from the initial preliminary investigation. Many strategies can be employed to this end such as re-examination of preliminary report cases, supplementary reports, and intelligent files. One strategy that investigators could employ to carry out an effective follow-up investigation is the post interview communication with witnesses coupled with the exhaustive use of witness’s statements and their prior observations. Osterburg and Ward (2010) said that this method guarantees accurate information and answers and the recollection to questioning (162). Information from the witness is important in follow-up investigation because it provides firsthand information and may also be used to uncover previous evidence that may be lacking in the case. However, information attained from the witness must be validated and properly analyzed for cases of falsification to avoid the tendency of the witness to give unreliable information. The criminal investigators should employ the use of open-ended questions that provide unsolicited information hence avoiding any exposure of the proceedings.
Two Major Crimes
Due to the different natures of crimes, their reporting is also different. Hess, et al . (2016) pointed out that sudden deaths in most cases are unnatural, unexplained and sudden and therefore a coroner is the best placed to report such a crime (270). The doctor, the funeral undertaker, the register of deaths or any householder has a mandate to inform a coroner in the case of sudden death. Different localities have got different rules with regards to reporting of deaths. After reporting the death to the coroner, it is their duty to inform the deceased's doctor and after that try to establish the manner and cause of death. Also, the coroner's office is charged with the duty to determine whether the deceased had been in contact with their doctor over the past month. After that, a medical certificate that stipulates the cause of death is registered with the registrar of deaths. A doctor can only be allowed to certify a natural cause of death.
On the other hand, sex related crimes demand a more personal approach in reporting and also depends on the person reporting the incidence (342). If the victim of the crime is reporting, then the most reliable means is dialing 911 helpline where the customer care members will advise the victim on the best course of action to take. If a person, other than the victim is reporting, the victim should be rushed to a hospital where an emergency medical action will be taken on them. The emergency staff will also take a record of the incident which will assist in the police report.
Characteristics of a Criminal Investigator
An active criminal investigator must be an effective communicator. They must also exhibit the ability to retain information which is very crucial in their work. They should possess social skills that would enable them to appeal to the witnesses during interviews and cross-examinations hence maximizing the likelihood of attaining the correct information. The investigator must also be open-minded as this would help them avoid prejudice. An investigator should also be emotionally balanced to ensure that they are not consumed by their work. Finally, the investigator must have the ability to integrate problem-solving procedures and ideas like brainstorming that will enable them to focus on different strategies in crime investigation.
Media and Privacy Rights in Criminal Investigation
The dispensation of information should not impact or impede the process of investigation. Also, media outlets and social media platforms must maintain and uphold responsible dissemination of information. Those mandated with the duty of updating the public on the development of cases should limit the information to ensure that those who are involved do not have their identities disclosed. Such reporting would constrain the privacy of those involved hence denying them a fair trial in the case involving a jury. Therefore, the freedom of information should be checked to ensure that an investigation goes on without unnecessary public scrutiny.
In conclusion, both preliminary and follow-up investigations are important steps in determining the perpetrators of criminal activity. In cases where the preliminary investigation does not help, a follow-up investigation is initiated to ensure that criminals are brought to book. There are various steps that these two investigations must undergo, and their overall success depends on the proper execution of these steps. It is vital to note that in reporting cases, each case has its unique way of being reported depending on laid down legislatures and the sensitivity of the case. Finally, it is important to understand the implications of the media and privacy rights in the criminal investigation.
References
Hess, K. M., Orthmann, C. H., & Cho, H. L. (2016). Criminal investigation . Cengage Learning.
Osterburg, J. W., & Ward, R. H. (2010). Criminal investigation: A method for reconstructing the past . Routledge.
Palmiotto, M. J. (2012). Criminal investigation . CRC Press.
