2 Main Sources of Information to Be your Own Detective
Investigations involve the task of gathering and evaluating information.
The investigative process must be thought of in terms of gathering information, instead of gathering evidence.
You must realize that information is essential in order to understand the relationship between the case and the items of evidence.
There are two sources of information:people and things.
1.
Information From People Information is derived from people and may not always be admissible in a court of law.
Information consisting of rumors, tips, and hearsay can often place an investigator on the right track to solve a case, but will probably never appear in testimony.
The collection of this information requires the unique skill and ability to elicit facts that can be used to help uncover the truth, whether it comes from the victim, an eyewitness, or a suspect in the crime.
Each source must be dealt within a unique and skillful manner in order to obtain the information desired.
A good investigator must be well-versed in conversational skills and be able to successfully draw out information that may not be readily forthcoming.
2.
Information From Things Physical evidence can often provide invaluable information to the investigator.
However, this information cannot be used if the investigator does not understand and recognize the strict rules for collecting, preserving and presenting this evidence once it is discovered.
Physical evidence consists of inanimate objects that cannot lie or flee.
The investigator must develop a keen sense of detail when concerning potential items of evidence.
Key items of evidence may be microscopic in size, but monumental in helping prove a case.
For example, hairs, fibers, or minute specimens of blood may be the one item of physical evidence that helps make a case in the absence of an eyewitness.
Familiarity with forensic science is essential to becoming a successful investigator.
Physical evidence cannot speak for itself.
It needs someone to identify it, interpret it, and then present it for final evaluation by a court.
Courts throughout the world have consistently given higher relative value to information obtained from things, as compared to information obtained from persons.
The reason for this is firmly established in the fact that things cannot lie and are not affected by emotion or motive.
Direct testimony from persons may be subject to any of these defects.
Therefore, courts have always given more weight to physical evidence when trying a case.
After obtaining all of the information and evidence related to the case, you may still not be able to answer all of the questions surrounding the case.
Some of the reasons that all of the your questions may not be answered include:
Sometimes you work with true diligence but still come up short of the whole truth.
Once again - conducting an investigation is much more than just gathering evidence, it is how you put together the evidence and your analysis of that evidence to make the entire case.
The investigative process must be thought of in terms of gathering information, instead of gathering evidence.
You must realize that information is essential in order to understand the relationship between the case and the items of evidence.
There are two sources of information:people and things.
1.
Information From People Information is derived from people and may not always be admissible in a court of law.
Information consisting of rumors, tips, and hearsay can often place an investigator on the right track to solve a case, but will probably never appear in testimony.
The collection of this information requires the unique skill and ability to elicit facts that can be used to help uncover the truth, whether it comes from the victim, an eyewitness, or a suspect in the crime.
Each source must be dealt within a unique and skillful manner in order to obtain the information desired.
A good investigator must be well-versed in conversational skills and be able to successfully draw out information that may not be readily forthcoming.
2.
Information From Things Physical evidence can often provide invaluable information to the investigator.
However, this information cannot be used if the investigator does not understand and recognize the strict rules for collecting, preserving and presenting this evidence once it is discovered.
Physical evidence consists of inanimate objects that cannot lie or flee.
The investigator must develop a keen sense of detail when concerning potential items of evidence.
Key items of evidence may be microscopic in size, but monumental in helping prove a case.
For example, hairs, fibers, or minute specimens of blood may be the one item of physical evidence that helps make a case in the absence of an eyewitness.
Familiarity with forensic science is essential to becoming a successful investigator.
Physical evidence cannot speak for itself.
It needs someone to identify it, interpret it, and then present it for final evaluation by a court.
Courts throughout the world have consistently given higher relative value to information obtained from things, as compared to information obtained from persons.
The reason for this is firmly established in the fact that things cannot lie and are not affected by emotion or motive.
Direct testimony from persons may be subject to any of these defects.
Therefore, courts have always given more weight to physical evidence when trying a case.
After obtaining all of the information and evidence related to the case, you may still not be able to answer all of the questions surrounding the case.
Some of the reasons that all of the your questions may not be answered include:
- Missing or destroyed evidence due to purposeful or accidental actions by parties involved
- Eyewitnesses may provide inaccurate information due to personal bias, confusion, or fear of retribution by the suspect(s).
- Eyewitnesses to the crime may have departed the area before the arrival of the investigator.
Sometimes you work with true diligence but still come up short of the whole truth.
Once again - conducting an investigation is much more than just gathering evidence, it is how you put together the evidence and your analysis of that evidence to make the entire case.
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