Gathering and Analysing Evidence

Gathering and analysing facts;

This stage is possibly the most important stage of the investigation. This stage conducts in gathering and analysing all the evidence and facts they have on the case and linking it to a suspect. This includes forensic evidence, witness statements and intelligence evidence to tie the suspect to that crime. The gathering and analysing of the evidence and facts to make links to the suspects will be used as strong evidence in court which will determine the sentence the court gives the suspect.

This stage takes place when the witness statements have been analysed, the forensic evidence has been examined and the possible suspects have been identified. Dependant on how successful this stage is determines the amount of times the stage is repeated. If a suspect is found not guilty of the crime, the evidence and facts are analysed again which may result in new evidence and leads being found.

Due to forensic evidence from the crime scene being contaminated, it would be hard to use this evidence in court to prosecute a suspect. Analysing the witness statements made was a strong point in the Madeleine McCann case. From analysing these, police were able to come up with impressions of a possible abductor. This made the public aware of who they may be looking for and also if anyone else had seen the possible abductor that night to come forward if they had any information. However, no suspects have been found or prosecuted for the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.