What is The Preliminary Investigation?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The preliminary investigation is the responsibility of the first officer at the crime scene. A job well done during a preliminary investigation should provide the information or evidence needed to build a solid case. Conversely, errors made during the preliminary investigation, especially those that involve a failure to properly safeguard or identify physical evidence, cannot be rectified at a later time.
1. Determine what has happened.
2. Locate witnesses and sources of evidence that aid in determining what has occurred.
3. Locate and preserve physical evidence.
4. Determine what further investigative steps should be taken.
5. Obtain and evaluate the accuracy of witnesses’ statements.
6. Determine whether to act on the statements and evidence found at the scene.
7. Record what has been done, what has been learned, and what has to be done.
8. Complete the investigation and make an apprehension if appropriate.
The preliminary investigation should begin when an officer is assigned to proceed to a crime scene and only terminate when he or she has completed the task to the point at which a delay in further action does not substantially affect the successful outcome of the investigation.
Typically, patrol officers proceed to crime scenes with bits and pieces of information that must first be verified and then expanded to be of investigative use. However, as far as only crime-scene response is concerned, the patrol officer usually has two facts that shape his or her preliminary plans: the type of crime and the location of the crime.