Identifying Patterns and links

The identification of patterns and links is essential in a criminal investigation as it enables further information to be gathered that subsequently helps to build a strong case, founded upon knowledge gained from the process of gathering and analysing facts also, to be built that can be presented to the court in order to achieve a positive outcome.  It makes logical sense for the identification of patterns and links stage in the criminal investigation to take place following the gathering and analysing facts stage as it enables the known information to be built upon.  In the case of Aileen Wuornos the pattern, although discovered at a late stage, enabled the police department to be aware of the fact that all of the victims were of a certain age and were all male.