Investigation Procedures

Star Fleet Criminal Investigation Procedures

INTRODUCTION

CRIME SCENE

EVIDENCE

The term “evidence,” as it relates to investigation, speaks to a wide range of information sources that might eventually inform the court to prove or disprove points at issue before the trier of fact. Sources of evidence can include anything from the observations of witnesses to the examination and analysis of physical objects. It can even include the spatial relationships between people, places, and objects within the timeline of events. From the various forms of evidence, the court can draw inferences and reach conclusions to determine if a charge has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

INVESTIGATION

Forensic Experts

Scientific discoveries in a wide range of disciplines have contributed to the development and evolution of forensic specialities in:

• Physical matching
• Chemical analysis
• Fingerprints
• Barefoot morphology
• Odontology
• Toxicology
• ballistics
• Hair and fibre
• Biometric analysis
• Entomology
• DNA analysis

COURT ROOM

In the trial of a person charged with an offence in a criminal court proceeding, the judge will hear the evidence and arguments presented by both the prosecution and the defence. The prosecution and the defence exist in court in an adversarial relationship with the onus resting with the prosecution to prove the facts of the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The defence may challenge the evidence, question the testimony and the credibility of witnesses, and present alternate theories of events or evidence, where the accused person could be considered not responsible or sometimes less responsible for the alleged offence.

UPDATE HISTORY

SD 351102 - Created by Michael Dailey