Being a victim of crime is often emotionally draining, and you may find it difficult to cope with what happened. But, if you are willing to be interviewed by police officers you can provide them with valuable information which may lead to the prosecution of the perpetrators of crime.
The investigative process begins as soon as law enforcement is notified of a crime or loss of property. A patrol officer will take down your statement, collect any physical evidence and photograph or videotape the scene (if applicable). The next step involves the police investigation team which is comprised of plainclothes detectives and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) – the New York State Police’s special investigating division that conducts investigations initiated by the uniformed patrol force as well as those referred by other agencies.
A comprehensive investigation includes identifying and locating suspects through witness testimony, building criminal profiles, conducting surveillance and checking databases like the National Crime Information Center. In some cases public tips and informants are helpful in suspect identification as well. The investigation also typically involves interviewing suspects and victims, as well as obtaining medical records (if available). This can include a full medical examination and blood samples. Depending on the specific case, police may search a suspect’s home, clothing and car; this usually requires a warrant issued by a neutral and detached judge.
All of these pieces of information work together to build a strong hypothesis about who committed the crime and why/how they did it. Every detail counts – any mistake, however small, can cripple an investigation or even set the guilty party free. This is why NIJ research enhances investigation techniques, provides training in investigative methods and improves forensic tools.
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