Investigative Strategies in Policing: National Decision-Making Model

This report provides an analysis of investigative strategies used by the police, focusing on methods such as the PEACE interview technique, CCTV footage analysis, crime scene investigation protocols, and the use of ANPR systems. It delves into case studies to illustrate the application and effectiveness of these strategies. Furthermore, the report examines the National Decision-Making Model (NDM) adopted by the Police Service, highlighting its elements, values, and applicability in various scenarios, including both operational and non-operational circumstances. The NDM's role in ensuring fair, evidence-based decision-making within law enforcement is also discussed.

Investigative strategies in the police and the
National decision making model

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................2
Investigation process.........................................................................................2
Critical analysis of Investigation strategies.......................................................3
National Decision-making Model.....................................................................5
CONCLUSION.....................................................................................................7
REFERENCES.....................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Criminology is the process which involves the study of all the elements and aspects of
crime as well as law enforcement including social setting for a crime, prohibition of crime,
prevention of crime and criminal psychology as well. Investigation refers to the process
which involves the deep search for facts in order to sort out a complex situation. The process
aims at determining why or how a particular situation occurred/happened. Investigations are
official and formal (Zulyadi, 2020). In simple words, it can be explained as the process to
inquire or examine inquiry or simply a research expression for active effort to find something
important. Police and national decision making models are the models which are focused
towards the formal investigations within the law enforcement environment. It focused
towards the making a strategic direction for making decisions through gathered evidence or
data through investigation.
The report aims to analyse the investigation process, various investigation strategies
and the national decision making model as well.
Investigation process
Investigation process is the procedure to collection for reaching a goal i.e. getting
reason behind situation. Criminal investigation process is the procedure of searching evidence
regarding a crime for different reasons (Chu and et.al., 2020). The reason might be to analyse
is the crime has actually been committed, apprehend the perpetrator, collect evidence to
support truth and conviction in court or to identify the actual perpetrator i.e. criminal.
Through this investigation and attaining goals of the investigation, crimes are resolved. The
outcomes such as deterring individuals from getting in criminal behaviours, satisfying victims
of crimes and also to recovering a stolen property.
Investigation include all the procedures to techniques which are undertaken by the police
officers within the code of collection of evidence. It is the process which is conducted by the
police officers and not the Magistrate, rather a magistrate orders a person to conduct the
investigation on their behalf (Tucho and et.al., 2018).
While committing a crime, the perpetrator emits signals or they leave behind some
information such as fingerprints, murder weapon or eye witness etc. Through investigation
the Police aims to find those signals.

Critical analysis of Investigation strategies
With the passage of time, the crimes have increased. As a result new methods and
techniques for investigation have been introduced from time to time. Sometime the
investigation committee have to use more than one method to investigation, and sometimes
using one technique is enough. Some techniques or strategies for investigation are described
as follows:
PEACE interview: PEACE method of investigation which is five stage procedure in which
the investigator attempts to build rapport. It allows the investigator to suspect criminal for
providing the account of events, prior to presenting the suspect any evidence of
contradictions (Pizarro, Terrill and LoFaso, 2020). PEACE stands for Planning, Engage and
explaining, Account clarification, Closure, Evaluation. This approach is considered as the
best practice for investigation interviewing and is suitable for every type of interviewee such
as witness, suspect, victim to criminal etc. The PEACE interview encourage she interviewers
to be more open minded for pursuing the accurate and true information.
For example: Case study
The case of R. v. Bartle (K), 1994. The accused was arrested for impaired driving
when he failed a roadside breath screening test by the police. He was informed of the all his
rights and taken to police station immediately. The PEACE interview was conducted in this
case. Accused did not contacted any lawyer (Fallon and et.al., 2022). The accused stated that
he was not informed that he could get immediate legal advice or of the fact that there was 24
hour toll free number to get legal aid. However, sample of his breath were taken, based upon
which he was charged accordingly due to having excessive alcohol over the age limit.
CCTV: The CCTV stands for close circuit television which uses analog cameras. They are
the most common type of camera which are installed in the fields. The investigation officer
uses the CCTV footage or the crime investigation. The CCTV footage can be very useful as
they record the actual footage of crime and can be used as an evidence for the crime. The
footage is also used a way to identify the identity for criminal or the suspects (Gorai and
et.al., 2018). The CCTV systems monitor exteriors and interiors of a property and then
transmits the signals to display as well as recorder for a secure and safe storage. The
investigating officers uses the CCTV camera footage to determine if the offence have
actually occurred or not, observe the event which surrounds the incident as well as gather

leads for other investigations. The major reason to use CCTV camera is that it have helped in
solving various cases.
For example: Case study
The case of James Bulger murder, 1993 can be referred here. The case was filed in
Merseyside Liverpool of England. The reports says that a 3 years old boy was lured away
from his mother while shopping in New Strand Shopping Centre Bootle ad abducted from
there. Two boys Robert Thompson and John Venable who were old age 10 years walked
James for about two and a half mile to a railway line (Lojo-Rodríguez, 2021). In the same
railway line in Walton, the boy was tortured and then murdered. In the investigation the
CCTV investigation strategy was used. The footage showed the 2 boys leaving shopping
centre with a toddler which is James. Through the help of CCTV camera footage the culprits
were identified and then arrested. Both the boys were presented in trial and were found
guilty. The y were sentenced to serve for 8 years at Her Majesty’s pleasure. After serving for
the years sentenced, they both were released.
Crime scene investigation: It is the method of investigation which is performed by the
experts that are known as the CSIs (Crime Scene Investigators). The technique involves the
collection of evidence very carefully which is alter analysed in a crime laboratory. The
process of crime scene investigation start from the securing the crime scene, then separating
the witnesses from the scene (Aslan and Imamoglu, 2020). Then the crime scene is scanned,
sketched and photographed as well. After then search for evidence starts. In the last the
evidence is collected and secures which then is investigated in the laboratory. The evidence
collected by experts is highly confidential and is only presentable at trial. Sometimes the
video record of scene is also taken. There are various technologies which can reveal the
stains, hairs, fibre, finger prints and trace evidence.
ANPR: Automatic Number Plate Recognition system. It is the automatic number plate
recognition system which is cost effective method to enhance security. It provides the ability
to monitor, access and control the access to access. It is linked to the computer which records
the image when vehicle passes by (Liu and et.al., 2020). It automatically read the computer
as well vehicle registration mark (VRM) recorded. The ANPR system reads the number
plates of vehicle passing by. The investigating officers can use this systems and access the
vehicles databases. It can help in detection of unlicensed operations.
For example: Case study

The case of Sarah Everard, 2021 in London and Kent. She was a young marketing
manager. She was arrested by an off duty police officer for false claims of breaching COVID-
19 regulations. The CCTV camera of a bus recorded the footage. Police officer drove to Kent
where he raped her and murdered him. The car route was tracked with the help ANPR. The
movement of car was recorded in different CCTV cameras. He tried to burn the body and
dispose of them in bags. But, his guilt was taking over him so the reported himself from
work. The remains were found by police investigation. From the investigation, identify of
victim was recognised through dental records and the mobile phone of culprit cope was found
by the police from underwater (Brown and Horvath, 2021). The forensic post-mortem states
the cause of death a compression from neck. From further investigation another case of him
was also found that. Following the same, he was sentenced for life time prison for rape,
murder, kidnapping, abusing his rights and position.
Mobile Investigation: There is branch of forensics which deals eth the recovery of digital
evidence from the mobile phones which are under the custody of forensic in sound
conditions. The devices can be used for various things such as SMS, text messages, calendar,
notes and photo etc. the investigation is not limited only to the mobile phone devices. It
related to every digital device which have memory, communicating abilities such as GPS
device, tablets and PDA devices too. The reason this branch of forensic have been added to
the investigation committee is that people uses mobile phones frequently in order to store the
information such as personal or corporate information which can be very useful in solving
crimes. They can provide technical and evidential data necessary for the case.
Apart from these, there are various other methods which can be used for investigation. Some
of these methods involves following:
 Police RMS (Record management system) is the database which provides an
appropriate searchable information on the past records and documentation of criminal
activities, historical criminal associations and the complaint records (Li and et.al.,
2019).
 MVB (Motor Vehicle Branch): This the database system which have records for
current vehicles which are registered, as well as the driving license records and
resident address.

National Decision-making Model
The national decision making model is adopted by Police Service to create a simple
value based tool which can be simple, easy as well as uses evidence based approach.
Investigating crimes have never been easy (Kammerer, 2018). It involves a complex decision
making process. Decisions are based on certain circumstances and facts, not on what
investigation officers think. NDA acts a base through which investigation can ensure greater
emphasis on the delivery of policing, enhanced use of discretion, decreasing risk aversion and
acing in accordance with law and values of police. It allows the investigation process to be
fair and based strictly on evidences and situation.
NDM model can be applied to every case in order to make appropriate decisions. For
example: It can be applied in planned operations as well as spontaneous incidents involves
individuals or a team of individuals as well as both under the non-operational and operations
circumstances. NDA can be used a structure for rationale of a situation to analyse how a
particular incident occurred and why. It can also be used in commercial corporations. For
example: In organizations NDM framework can be used a basis for reviewing actions taken
and decisions taken. This explains the flexible applicability of NDM model, which states that
it can be adopted for policing as well (Roycroft, 2021).
Now, NDM is recognised a method through which the investigation officers or Police
service can segregate their thinking and responses in every phase of the model. The model
have following six elements:
 Gathering intelligence and information
 Assessment of risks and threats, developing a strategy for working.
 Consideration of policies and powers
 Identification of contingencies as well as options available
 Taking action and reviewing the situation i.e. what has happened
Every element of the model provides a distinct specialisation in areas of focus. The centre
of the model is based upon the mission treatment and value statement of Police service. The
mission statement is to make the societies and communities safe through upholding
Legislation and law fairly, eliminating crime as well as antisocial behaviours, protecting
communities, getting offenders to justice, investigating crime as well (Roycroft and Roach,
2021). The values of Police involves compassion, patience, courtesy and integrity. Values

also involves using professional judgement, common sense and discretion for guiding
communities and being accountable for own actions.
CONCLUSION
Investigation process is the method through which investigating officials such as
police officers determine if a certain crime have actually happened, how it has happened and
the reason behind the incident as well. There are various investigating strategies which could
be used for the investigation such as PEACE interview, CCTV and ANPR and crime scene
investigation as well. National decision making model is the framework which is used by
investigating officers for a fair and evidential approach of investigation. It states the missions
and values of Policing.
REFERENCES
Books and journals:

Aslan, H. and Imamoglu, O., 2020. Investigation of Leisure Strategies of Sports Educated
Students. Asian Journal of Education and Training. 6(3). pp.468-473.
Brown, J. and Horvath, M., 2021. Sarah Everard: the tipping point to take violence against
women and girls seriously?. British Politics and Policy at LSE.
Chu, Y.M. and et.al., 2020. Investigation of nano powders influence on melting process within
a storage unit. Journal of Molecular Liquids. 318. p.114321.
Fallon, L. and et.al., 2022. Evaluating the Vermont State police’s PEACE model training
program: phase 1. Psychology, Crime & Law. 28(1). pp.59-81.
Gorai, P. and et.al., 2018. Investigation of n-type doping strategies for Mg 3 Sb 2. Journal of
Materials Chemistry A. 6(28). pp.13806-13815.
Kammerer, M., 2018. Climate politics at the intersection between international dynamics and
national decision-making: a policy network approach (Doctoral dissertation, University
of Zurich).
Li, L.Q. and et.al., 2019. Investigation on three mixing enhancement strategies in transverse
gaseous injection flow fields: A numerical study. International Journal of Heat and
Mass Transfer. 132. pp.484-497.
Liu, P. and et.al., 2020. Experimental investigation on the voltage uniformity for a PEMFC
stack with different dynamic loading strategies. International Journal of Hydrogen
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Lojo-Rodríguez, L.M., 2021. Evil Children of the DiasporaAndrea Levy’s “Deborah”.
In Postcolonial Youth in Contemporary British Fiction (pp. 25-40). Brill.
Pizarro, J.M., Terrill, W. and LoFaso, C.A., 2020. The impact of investigation strategies and
tactics on homicide clearance. Homicide Studies. 24(1). pp.3-24.
Roycroft, M. and Roach, J., APPENDIX 1: DECISION MAkING BOOk. Decision Making in
Police Enquiries and Critical Incidents. p.157.
Roycroft, M., 2021. Decision-Making in Law Enforcement. Modern Police Leadership.
pp.389-401.
Tucho, W.M. and et.al., 2018. Investigation of effects of process parameters on microstructure
and hardness of SLM manufactured SS316L. Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 740.
pp.910-925.
Zulyadi, R., 2020. Police's Role in Investigation Process of Fraud Criminal Act of Civil
Servants Candidate (Case Study of Police Station Binjai). Britain International of
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