Effective Detective

SKILLS AND THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESSSelecting appropriate lines of enquiry is closely linked to element two of theinvestigative process. Having assessed and evaluated information, the SIO may bein a better position to begin to formulate hypotheses about the offence and theoffender. In turn, this will enable the SIO to select appropriate lines of enquiry thatmight yield useful information to the investigation. Although ultimatelyresponsible for the decisions adopted, the SIO accomplishes this with the aid of theinvestigative team. The team, at whatever level, should be encouraged tocontribute their views and opinions. Consequently, regular briefings and debriefingsare fundamental to this process.Combining advice from both the team and other specialist advisers, together withinformation from the investigation and his/her own knowledge, the SIO recogniseswhat is needed to identify, arrest, charge and prosecute the offender. The SIOneeds to know where additional relevant information is likely to be obtained, andhow the investigation can best get hold of it. It is interesting to note within thiselement of the investigation that few interviewees spontaneously mentioned an‘instinct’ for solving crime (the natural detective) as a key skill.It was also argued that ‘effective’ SIOs were able to make decisions based on whatis relevant to the investigation, rather than making decisions on the basis ofunsubstantiated assumptions. This involved SIOs keeping an open mind andretaining flexibility within the investigative process. The current climate ofaccountability has placed particular attention on the closing down of lines ofenquiry and the justifications for such decisions. The SIO should also realise howthe consequences of his/her actions impact on both the force as a whole, the localcommunity, the victim, the victim’s family, witnesses and the investigative team.Resource management was considered a key skill during this stage of the process.Although there are often guidelines in place which provide the SIO with abreakdown of staffing levels and resources available for a serious crimeinvestigation, the majority of officers interviewed acknowledged that in reality theacquisition of resources provides a challenge for many SIOs. Hence, an SIO needsto possess a realistic awareness of what resources are available and how to obtainthem; negotiation skills are vital in this respect. An ‘effective’ SIO should be ableto appreciate the fluctuations within the investigative process, and know bothwhere and when to concentrate the available resources. Example 3 illustrates wherean SIO felt that he was lacking in this particular skill.36