Investigating+crime+gathering+evidence+and+use+of+technology

No. A decision is made after the reporting of the crime that determines whether or not the offence is investigated or dismissed. This decision is usually based upon the severity of the case, the resources available to the officers and the likelihood of a successful trial. Usually, the investigations are long and tedious. In order for an investigation to be successful and to be taken to court, the police must establish that the crime actually occurred, who the offender was and the prosecutors must have enough reliable evidence to prove that the offender/crime actually occurred. **2. Describe the process of gathering evidence and explain why special care must be taken by police in the way they go about collecting evidence** Police or the prosecution need to gather evidence in order for the investigation to be successful and accurate. Evidence supports the charges of an offence. Experts deal with delicate evidence to ensure that it does not become inadmissible in a court case. Police have the onus of proving the accused guilty and this is done through evidence. The law however has limitations on how the prosecution obtain the evidence of a case. The collection of evidence needs to be legitimate and should not interfere with everyday citizens lives. At times it is necessary for police to get a warrant to allow them to search peoples homes and obtain evidence -this procedure is a way in which the limitation of the law is overcome. **3. How has the use of technology changed the way police investigate crimes?** There are many different ways technology is used in the solving of crime today, the technology has to be extremely accurate or they cannot use or rely on it. Having a Fingerprint and DNA Database makes it easy for all the police to share information nationally and internationally. The new cybercrime unit of police use technology and computers to track the Internet activity of criminals and locate them. The collection and analysis of DNA is a new technology that police rely very heavily on that has helped to solve many crimes. **4. Are police automatically allowed to collect DNA samples from suspects? Explain the legal process involved** Police can ask a person reasonably suspected of committing a serious offence to provide a forensic sample such as blood or a sample for DNA testing, in an attempt to prove or disprove the offence. If the person does not consent to having the sample taken police can apply to a magistrate who can order that the sample be taken by force if necessary or a senior police officer can order a non invasive sample, which can provide DNA, be taken by force.
 * 1. Are all crimes reported to police investigated? Explain your answer**

After a 93-year-old woman was raped in the little town of Wee Waa (2000) near Sydney of just 1,900 inhabitants, it became the venue for the country’s first DNA testing of an entire male population. Every home was doorknocked, some with TV cameras rolling. Eventually a man went to the police confessing the crime even if apparently he hadn’t done the DNA test.
 * 5. Find an example that shows how police use of DNA evidence has become crucial to the process of laying criminal charges (eg: Wee Waa case).**

First of all there have been concerns over the reliability of DNA testing. It’s very easy for the analysis to be flawed because many different people handle it. If not handled properly the evidence could become contaminated, which would then possibly lead to a wrong result or being not admissible in court.
 * 6. What are some of the concerns about police relying too much on technology in criminal cases?**