The Police Investigation
Once you report a crime to the police, they will want to gather as much information as possible in order to bring the perpetrator to justice.
Giving a statement
The police will explain the purpose of making a statement. You may ask:
- For a break at any time, if you find the process upsetting
- To have the statement taken at your home, or another suitable location
- To be accompanied by a person of your choice, unless there is good reason that this should not take place
- To read over your written statement to check it is accurate, or have someone read it back to you
- To have any inaccuracies in your statement corrected, and any further information added.
If a police officer considers you to be a vulnerable victim or witness, or if you are under 18, you may be asked to make a video recording of your evidence, instead of a written statement. The police will explain how this is done before you start, and will not discuss the evidence before the interview is recorded, in order to ensure that you give the most accurate description of what you saw or know.
Collecting Evidence
The police may need to take samples from where the crime took place. You may be asked to give fingerprints or other samples in order to eliminate you from their enquiries. These will be taken as sensitively as possible by a specially trained crime-scene investigator.
If you have been physically injured, the police may also want to photograph your injuries, or have you examined by a doctor. The doctor will make a record of any injuries, but for further medical attention, you may need to go to hospital or see your own GP. If you are a victim of sexual violence, you may be taken to The Rowan Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), where you will receive specialist care and support.
Keeping You Updated
It can take some time to gather all the information that is needed, but the police are committed to making sure that victims know what is happening within the investigation, and will give you an update within 10 days. If appropriate, they will give you further updates and agree when these will be. You can ask for an update on progress outside of any agreed times.
The police will tell you where a suspect has been identified in connection with the crime, and about any decision not to proceed with or to end an investigation. They will also tell you if they decide to use an alternative method of disposal, and why they have done this.
They will tell you if a suspect has been arrested, and if they are kept in custody or released on police bail.
The more complex a case is, the longer the investigation may take. Some cases may take up to eighteen months or more to complete.
