Why do some police investigations take so long?

The length of the police investigation is dependent on a variety of factors including the type of offence being investigated and the amount of evidence the police have already gathered. Complex and serious cases will inevitably take longer for the police to investigate.

What is a full investigation?

A full investigation refers to the careful search or examination with an intension to discover facts. This may include questioning of witnesses, forensic examination and investigation of financial records.

What does an investigation include?

“Investigation” includes all the proceedings under “the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973” for the collection of evidence conducted by a Police officer or by any person (other than a Magistrate) who is authorized by a Magistrate. (Section 2(h) of the Criminal Procedure Code).

How long does a police investigation take?

The length of time for a police investigation will also depend on the kind of crime that is being investigated and what sort of statute of limitations governs it. The statute of limitations around federal cases, for instance, is five years, so those kinds of investigations can go on for a very long time.

Can a police officer make an arrest before the investigation is complete?

A lot of times police can make an arrest way before an investigation is complete. All that is needed is “probable cause” which in layman’s terms means that a reasonable person with some knowledge has a solid suspicion that an individual has committed a crime.

How do the police investigate and solve crimes where the criminal is long gone?

But what about crimes where the criminal is long gone. How do the police investigate and solve that crime? The primary tools that police have when investigating crimes are interviews or interrogations and collecting physical evidence.

How do you know if you are being investigated by the police?

Typically, the easiest way to know that you’re being investigated for a crime is that police will contact you to ask questions. The only exception to this will be if it’s an undercover investigation in which they’re trying to gather evidence without your knowledge.