Discuss the reasons why investigations are often ineffective. What steps can be taken to improve investigations?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Detectives are often handicapped by limited time, money, and resources to carry out lengthy, ongoing probes of any but the most serious cases. This is reflected in the numbers, showing that most cases are investigated for no more than four hours stretching over three days. Another limit on investigations depends on when a crime is reported. If the crime is reported in progress, it is much more likely to have a resolution (33 percent) than if reported one minute later (10 percent) or 15 minutes later (5 percent). The more time and resources investigators can dedicate to a case, the more likely it is to be solved. There are a few others ways investigations can be improved. Looking to witnesses, informants, and members of the police department as sources of information means investigators are more likely to produce useful information. Technology can also help investigations, such as CopLink's ability to search criminal histories and provide suspects. Forensic science has also improved investigations through techniques like DNA analysis to clear the backlog of unsolved cases.