Preliminary and Follow-Up Investigations
Preliminary and follow up investigations are important to have in any crime for many reasons the two main jobs of this stage is to determine if there actually was a crime by collecting more statements (allegations) of either suspects or witnesses, the second is that it is used to confirm a suspect or there identity. This is the final decision after the initial response for whether to act upon the crime or not, it determines if there is sufficient evidence If the victim is willing to speak up about what has happened and if there is a suspect or suspects they need to be looking for, it also ensures that no allegations that are given are false and that everything (evidence, alibis, statements) can be backed up in court.
The preliminary investigation and follow up investigation are two different things, the preliminary investigation is carried out by the first member of the investigation team that is on the scene this is usually the FAO. The FAO assesses whether any back up help is needed to the scene or any other people for example if a victim is badly hurt the first thing the FAO will do is ring the paramedics. Although if there is an on-going crime at the scene the FAO will attempt to prevent this from going any further, for example if the suspect is holding a gun to the victim the FAO will attempt to persuade the Suspect that this is not the right thing to do if this is done successfully the suspect may lower the weapon and then be arrested and taken to the nearest police station, back up will also be called if an on going crime occurs. Another step that is taken by the FAO through the preliminary investigation is that they identify all witnesses, suspects and victims, all evidence will be retrieved from the scene through the preliminary investigation to ensure nothing is contaminated or lost to ensure there is no contamination the FAO will set out a common approach path as soon as entering the scene this means that everyone else that enters the scene will also stick to this path so nothing can be tampered with. The forensic science department will attend the scene to gather evidence ready for examination in the lab. When all evidence is gathered from the scene and the victims/suspects and witnesses have given/ are giving statements the next step will be to look at any other source of evidence that can be beneficial to the case, this can be CCTV footage, Audio sounds, eye witness accounts and much more. All information gained from the preliminary investigation must be documented or photographed to show there is evidence that can be used to back up the case in the court of law.
The preliminary investigation and follow up investigation are two different things, the preliminary investigation is carried out by the first member of the investigation team that is on the scene this is usually the FAO. The FAO assesses whether any back up help is needed to the scene or any other people for example if a victim is badly hurt the first thing the FAO will do is ring the paramedics. Although if there is an on-going crime at the scene the FAO will attempt to prevent this from going any further, for example if the suspect is holding a gun to the victim the FAO will attempt to persuade the Suspect that this is not the right thing to do if this is done successfully the suspect may lower the weapon and then be arrested and taken to the nearest police station, back up will also be called if an on going crime occurs. Another step that is taken by the FAO through the preliminary investigation is that they identify all witnesses, suspects and victims, all evidence will be retrieved from the scene through the preliminary investigation to ensure nothing is contaminated or lost to ensure there is no contamination the FAO will set out a common approach path as soon as entering the scene this means that everyone else that enters the scene will also stick to this path so nothing can be tampered with. The forensic science department will attend the scene to gather evidence ready for examination in the lab. When all evidence is gathered from the scene and the victims/suspects and witnesses have given/ are giving statements the next step will be to look at any other source of evidence that can be beneficial to the case, this can be CCTV footage, Audio sounds, eye witness accounts and much more. All information gained from the preliminary investigation must be documented or photographed to show there is evidence that can be used to back up the case in the court of law.
The follow up investigation mainly focuses on evaluating each piece of evidence this being, all statements gathered from the suspects, victims and witnesses, all evidence taken from the crime scene (weapons, hair samples, bodily fluids) and any other sufficient evidence the police believed would be vital to the case. The follow up investigation looks at all this information and evaluates it to understand how many suspects are involved, why the crime was committed and possibly where the suspects are located. This step is taken out by a criminal investigator.
Both the preliminary and follow up investigations are vital to have in every case, if a case is taken to court and all the evidence hasn’t been analysed this means an insufficient report may be written. If an insufficient report is written and taken to court to back up a case this means the suspect may be let off with all charges as there is no evidence good enough to make a prosecution and place them at the scene. Without the preliminary investigation being taken out correctly this may mean there is no need for a follow up investigation as all things taken from the scene and any statements may not stand for anything, without a piece of evidence tying a suspect down to a scene or a vital piece of evidence being in the suspects presence this may means there is no case to continue.
Both the preliminary and follow up investigations are vital to have in every case, if a case is taken to court and all the evidence hasn’t been analysed this means an insufficient report may be written. If an insufficient report is written and taken to court to back up a case this means the suspect may be let off with all charges as there is no evidence good enough to make a prosecution and place them at the scene. Without the preliminary investigation being taken out correctly this may mean there is no need for a follow up investigation as all things taken from the scene and any statements may not stand for anything, without a piece of evidence tying a suspect down to a scene or a vital piece of evidence being in the suspects presence this may means there is no case to continue.
The Soham Murders and The Preliminary / Follow-up Investigation
Due to this case involving two missing children (Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman) this means the first 24 hours is vital, as there wasn't an actual crime scene known to the police a search appeal began for the two girls this began at dawn on Monday the 5th of August this was one of the biggest searches the UK had seen. Cambridgeshire police took out the investigation to search for the two girls and in the two weeks this went on for, 25 different police forces where used as well as £10 million being spent. When the police revealed Ian Huntley as there main suspect just after they where given 36 hours to question him and Maxine Carr on the 18th of August two weeks after the girls where reported missing they investigated his home of 5 College Close of being the scene both Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman had been killed.
Forensic Scientists where sent to Huntley's house to find sufficient evidence to link the girls to have been inside, although it had appeared three rooms in the house had been cleaned from top to bottom these being the main bedroom the dining room and the bathroom, bathroom tiles had also been removed from around the bath. Even though the rooms had been cleaned through with cleaning products there was still evidence to link both girls to the house, which led Ian to having no choice but to say they had died there. Due to the girls not being found at the house this means there was another crime scene, this crime scene was found first accompanied by the girls bodies on the 17th of August 2002. Both scenes where cordoned off for forensic examination and evidence collection.
Forensic Scientists where sent to Huntley's house to find sufficient evidence to link the girls to have been inside, although it had appeared three rooms in the house had been cleaned from top to bottom these being the main bedroom the dining room and the bathroom, bathroom tiles had also been removed from around the bath. Even though the rooms had been cleaned through with cleaning products there was still evidence to link both girls to the house, which led Ian to having no choice but to say they had died there. Due to the girls not being found at the house this means there was another crime scene, this crime scene was found first accompanied by the girls bodies on the 17th of August 2002. Both scenes where cordoned off for forensic examination and evidence collection.