Preliminary and Follow-up Investigations

The preliminary investigation will involve members of the police department, such as the First Attending Officer (FAO), identifying if there is any particular individual who is thought to be involved in the crime and whether the evidence present at the scene of the crime is of a nature that suggests that further investigation and additional services are required.  The information regarding the scene of the crime will be relayed from the First Attending Officer (FAO) to higher ranking officers,working as part of the criminal investigation,regarding details such as; the severity of the injuries that the individuals involved in the crime have sustained if necessary, the location of the scene of the crime, any individuals who have witnessed the crime taking place and any individuals that have been apprehended.  The preliminary and follow-up investigations play an essential part in various forms of criminal investigation as they enable the decision to be made, based on evidence and the if there are any suspects, as to whether any further lines of enquiry are necessary.  For example in the case of Aileen Wuornos all victims were located in a secluded area and the evidence that the members of the police force discovered was enough to carry out further lines of enquiry such as establishing a parameter to carry a search for further forensic evidence or any other individuals who may be injured.  It was also necessary that the scene of the crime was protected from members of the general public and the media in order to protect any forensic evidence from contamination or destruction.  Following the information being relayed by the First Attending Officer (FAO) the various other services can then carry out the follow-up investigations.  For example, the forensic evidence gathered from the scene of the crime will be identified and gathered, by the Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO), and transported to the forensic laboratory for further analysis.  The detectives working on the criminal investigation will subsequently make enquiries regarding the progress of the forensic evidence analysis.  The preliminary and follow-up investigations are essential in the positive outcome of a criminal investigation as, if carried out following the correct procedures and practice; they can be used in court to assist in either the conviction or dismissal of any individual/s on charge for the crime.