Investigating Crimes
Investigating crimes, criminals and criminal activity is the responsibility of the police or whichever statutory law enforcement agency happens to be tasked with law enforcement in your jurisdiction. Our criminal investigation capabilities and resources can be used to complement the police’s efforts with material, logistic, intelligence and operational support, and our experienced investigators (most of whom are seasoned police investigators themselves) are able to advise and assist the police detectives at all stages of a criminal investigation to ensure that everything is being done to solve the matter.
Who?
Who might need us to investigate a criminal matter? Although criminal investigations can be undertaken at the request of any person, they are almost always requested by one of the following people:
Suspect or accused
You’ve been wrongly or falsely accused of a crime or are the victim of a malicious prosecution.
Victim
You’re the victim of a crime who wants closure and to see that those responsible are held to account for their actions.
Witness or Whistleblower
You’ve witnessed a crime or are aware of criminal activity and want to see that justice is done.
Any interested party
You represent an affected party or the public interest and are after the truth.
Why?
Why do people need their own investigation of a criminal matter? Usually the reasons relate to dissatisfaction in the efforts or progress of police investigators or a general distrust of the criminal justice system. What normally sparks their desire for a private criminal investigation is:
Wrongly accused
It is believed that the wrong person has been identified as a suspect, apprehended, charged or is being prosecuted.
No suspects
No suspects have been identified or identified suspects have not been traced, arrested or brought before Court.
No evidence
No evidence has been found of criminal activity or no evidence has been found to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Poor progress
The investigation is not progressing due to a lack of evidence, witnesses or interest by police investigators or prosecutors.
What?
What are some of the concerns that clients have with respect to the official investigation or criminal justice process? Whether real or perceived, the majority of clients have expressed concerns regarding:
Incompetence
Police or prosecutorial ineptitude is believed to be stifling progress, compromising evidence or hindering the administration of justice.
Corruption
Corrupt police or Court officials are believed to be subverting the criminal justice process, fabricating evidence or tampering with witnesses.
Inability
It is not felt that the police have the requisite resources, knowledge or skills to effectively investigate the matter or build a prosecutable case.
Unwillingness
Police have refused to investigate the matter or the prosector has declined to prosecute the suspects for reasons believed to wrong.
When?
When, or at what stage of the criminal justice process are private criminal investigations requested? A criminal investigation can be initiated at any stage, either earlier on as a parallel or complementary investigation, later on as a supplementary investigation, or long after as a ‘cold case’ or restorative justice investigation.
Pre-Investigation
The crime has not yet been reported to the police, or it has been reported but no official police investigation has been initiated.
Pre-Trial
Police investigation is in progress or has been completed. Suspects may or may not have been arrested or formally charged.
Pre-Verdict
A criminal trial is underway but the suspects have not been acquitted, released, convicted, or sentenced by the Court.
Post-Verdict
The Court has rendered its verdict and sentence has been carried out. The appeals process may or may not be underway.