Analysis of Criminal Investigation: Case Study and Evaluation

This report provides an analysis of a criminal investigation case, focusing on the procedures followed by special agents in the investigation. The report details the use of various forensic techniques, such as search grids, fingerprint tests, and DNA testing, to identify the victim and collect evidence. It critiques the investigation process, highlighting areas for improvement, such as conducting individual interviews and prioritizing fingerprint analysis. The report also explores the documentation of crime scenes, the importance of preserving photographic and video evidence, and the role of senior officers and medical professionals in the investigation. Furthermore, it discusses the handling of cold cases, including the use of DNA databases and the need for funding and manpower to solve them. The report concludes with a hypothetical scenario where the author, as a prosecutor, would present the case to a jury, emphasizing the use of sketches and advisory assistance to ensure the evidence required for conviction is present.

Running head: CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
Criminal Investigation
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
Analysis of the case
Pete Moss, the special agent who was involved in analyzing the investigation has carried
out the investigation. Moss and S.A. Pearson assisted Sherrif’s office in carrying out the
investigation. SA Moss has drafted the search warrant while Pearson carried out an interview of
the key witnesses. Moss was also helped by Pearson in carrying out the search warrant. They had
evaluated the complete process very minutely to identify the victim. The use of search grid, scale
ruler and drawing of the sketch ahs helped them in identifying the victim. When three different
detectives were involved in following the information of Smith, Jones and Fish, Moss kept a
close watch and checked the copy of the witnesses with the detectives. The gridding method used
in investigating the blood stain by SA Pearson was also justifiable and no shell casings were
recovered from the scene. They also carried out fingerprint test of Marshall and Jenkins and thus
the entire investigation was done correctly. The fingerprint test was also done very well in the
investigation. Although the investigation process was carried out cautiously, but there were
certain things which were needed to be done in a better way. Before arresting Smith, Jones and
Fish, the special agents must conduct their interviews individually. This would help them to
know the mental state of each person and it would help them in carrying out the investigation
process in a short span of time. The fingerprint test must be done in the first stage and this was
the mistake of Pearson and Moss because they did not conduct this step in the first stage.
The trio must not be put in the jail initially when they were caught. This was the biggest
mistake done by Moss and Pearson. They must understand that when Smith refused to give the
interview directly and asked a lawyer, there must be certain reason behind that. This needed
serious consideration and the entire process would not require much time if this was taken into

2CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
consideration. The informal information needs to be collected through diplomatic channels and
this was missing in the entire process. The case needs to be inspected by the senior gazette
officer or the police forces before involving the CBI. There must be a medical officer who must
be present in determining the preliminary cause of death. This was done mistakenly and it needs
improvement in the next time (Schmalleger et al., 2014).
The terms which are related to criminal investigation are detective, bloodstain evidence,
gridding method, murder, labeling the stains, DNA testing at the crime lab. The research process
conducted by me can be compared with the case mentioned. It is necessary to get a plan of the
scene of offence (LePard et al., 2015). The senior agents or the investigation officer’s has to
procure the plans or the area in which the crime was conducted. Photography or videography if
taken in a conventional method must be preserved. This will help in ensuring that the exact
image of the crime scene remains with the investigating officer or the special agent. It is also
necessary to ascertain the facts and circumstances of the entire case and this is possible only with
the approval of the Superintendent of Police (Imwinkelried, 2016). Documenting a crime scene,
relates to the courtroom presentation of a case. The reports and notes must be carried out in
chronological order and it should not include any analysis, opinions or conclusions. The
investigator should only document what he/she sees and not what he/ she thinks. The final report
must contain descriptive study. It is necessary to provide a summary, include a detailed
description of the incident, process it, collect the evidence and keep it pending for further
investigation. If a case becomes a cold case and is not solved for more than thirty years, there
must be new technical methods that must be developed after the case is used for surviving
evidence to analyze the cause with conclusive results (Bijleveld et al., 2015). If the case remains
pending for a longer period of time, it is necessary to take the help of DNA database agencies

3CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
and check the samples. It is also necessary to arrange funding for the police labs. Moreover,
giving them manpower for further investigation will help in solving the cold case (Davis et al.,
2014). If I am given to prosecute the case to the jury after 30 years, I will use the sketches for
further documentation. I may also provide advisory assistance to the police for further
investigation to confirm that the evidence i.e. required for conviction is present. I may also
assume the responsibility for the lawfulness of the investigated activities.

4CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
References
Bijleveld, R., de Kok, J., van der Zwaag, B., van Wijk, R., & Diekman, T. (2015). Solving a cold
case of haemolysis: Back to the basics. From exposome to microbiome to infectome–
pathogens vs.‘sanogens’ 51, 86.
Davis, R. C., Jensen, C. J., Burgette, L., & Burnett, K. (2014). Working smarter on cold cases:
Identifying factors associated with successful cold case investigations. Journal of
forensic sciences, 59(2), 375-382.
Imwinkelried, E. J. (2016). Criminal Minds: The Need to Refine the Application of the Doctrine
of Objective Chances as a Justification for Introducing Uncharged Misconduct Evidence
to Prove Intent.
Innes, M., & Brookman, F. (2013). Helping police with their enquiries: international perspectives
on homicide investigation.
LePard, D., Demers, S., Langan, C., & Kim Rossmo, D. (2015). Challenges in serial murder
investigations involving missing persons. Police Practice and Research, 16(4), 328-340.
Schmalleger, F., Donaldson, S., Kashiwahara, K., Koppal, T., Chase, S., Brown, A., ... &
Marash, D. (2014). Criminal justice today. Prentice Hall.