CI Focus Series 1: You Want the Truth? I’ll Tell You the Truth

This week’s episode is the first in an all-encompassing series of conversations about criminal investigations and criminal court proceedings. The information provided throughout the series will be thorough, exhaustive, and accurate. Each episode will follow the progress of criminal cases from the reported criminal act through a police investigation, into the criminal court system and end with a jury verdict and the potential appellate reviews. These discussions are honest, accurate and long overdue!

It becomes more evident every day that much of the information spread through the so-called court of public opinion is at best inaccurate and oftentimes purposefully distorted with half-truths and innuendo. Too often the information is not substantiated but is still allowed to go unchecked or unverified and is presented as factual, and subsequently confirmed to be true through both mainstream and social media platforms. 

The result of the series will be an extensive audio reference guide that will serve as a primer on criminal investigations and legal procedure. It is cost free and available to anyone who wishes to listen and learn from a knowledgeable professional with more than fifty years of experience in the law enforcement and legal arenas.

This first installment in the series opens with a short overview and explanation of why police take a slow and methodical approach to documenting a reported crime scene and at the same time protecting and preserving the area for the recovery of potential evidence. As an investigation moves forward, decisions must be made on several fronts. For example, is there probable cause to search areas of concern? Is there a need for a search warrant issued by a court, or can the police legally proceed without one? Similarly, questions arise about probable cause to detain and/or arrest a person of interest. These are fundamental but crucial concerns in the everyday work of a police investigator. Even a minor mistake may eliminate the use of crucial and damning information at a defendant’s trial.