The police investigate crimes after one is committed. Whether it’s a drunk driver hitting another person or someone opening fire in a crowded room, the police have a hard job. They have to find out who committed a crime and if they already know, they need to find as much evidence as possible at the scene.
As soon as the police know there is trouble, they send officers to the scene. The officer might be able to stop the person he or she thinks is the perpetrator, but that’s not always the case. If the officer does see someone there, he or she may arrest the individual and take him or her to the police station or jail for booking. That isn’t always the person responsible for the crime, which is why a defense is always suggested for someone who is arrested.
While the individual is booked, the officer’s coworkers or employees investigate the site, take photos and take objects they think could be connected to the crime. At that point, anyone who was at the scene has to fill out a police report. This report includes the names and contact information for the involved parties. These could include witnesses, officers or others. Additionally, if anyone takes anything away from the scene, the items and their whereabouts are recorded for later reference.
In crimes that weren’t observed in progress or when they are complicated, the police may have to look for forensic evidence, like blood or fingerprints. The officer then sends this potential evidence to a crime lab for analysis. There is a chance of those results being faulty, which is another reason for a strong defense and for working with an attorney familiar with this process.
Source: FindLaw, “How do the Police Investigate Crimes?,” accessed Nov. 10, 2017