ABSTRACT
Criminal investigation is one of the key functions of the police service. It contributes to the achievement of a wide range of objectives at every level of policing, from the investigation of anti-social behaviour in neighbourhoods to international counter-terrorism operations. Whatever level of offending it is directed at, criminal investigation involves locating, gathering and using information to bring offenders to justice, or to achieve one of the other objectives set for it by the police service, such as victim care, intelligence gathering or managing crime risks.
