Hiring a private investigator to conduct a case file review is an effective way to strengthen your legal defense and gain an in-depth understanding of the events that took place. Far too often, important details are overlooked or misinterpreted due to a misstep during the investigative process. Hiring an extra set of eyes with a background in law enforcement can help circumvent this problem.
At Harris Investigations Inc., we offer extensive case file reviews backed by decades of experience. During a case file review, investigators must follow a basic checklist to ensure no important details are missed.
If you are contemplating hiring an investigator to join your legal defense team, reading a sample case file review checklist is a great way to familiarize yourself with the process. Below we have provided an overview of the main items covered in a checklist of this kind.
Assess the quality of interviews
The first step in a case file review is to analyze the investigative interviews that were done with suspects, witnesses, and other relevant parties. The contents of these interviews will provide valuable insights into the case, and can be used as a part of a strong legal defense. It is only possible however, for defendants to reap the benefits of a thorough interview process if it is done correctly, and if all questions are posed in an ethical way. The investigator will evaluate the entire process using a critical lense. During this portion of the case file review, an investigator may identify certain individuals who should have been interviewed and may have been previously overlooked. The investigator will also examine the specific questions that were asked during interviews to ensure no guiding statements or premature accusations were made. A case file review will ultimately reveal the legitimacy and level of detail applied to the interview process.
Evaluate the handling of evidence
The next section of a typical case file review checklist concerns the collection, testing, and physical handling of evidence. The investigator will take the time to examine exactly how evidence was gathered, and whether or not the process was comprehensive enough. The investigator will then look at the way in which evidence was handled by law enforcement, to ensure all physical contents were preserved and tested properly. During criminal investigations, professionals often fail to collect crucial evidence, send the right items in for fingerprint analyses, or employ proper handling practices to prevent contamination. For an accurate representation of the events that have taken place, it is essential to assess the validity of the evidence.
Examine arrests or lack thereof
The decision to or not to arrest someone who has committed a criminal act is a contentious point in every case. If an arrest is made without warrant, or if law enforcement has failed to arrest an individual despite having grounds to do so, this can seriously affect the legal proceedings. During a case file review, the investigator will determine whether or not there was cause for an arrest, and if the appropriate actions were taken. If an individual is arrested for a crime which is later determined to be unfounded, an investigator will examine the unfounding process to ensure it was up to code. This involves official approval, and a clear justification for unfounding the crime.
These items represent the basic contents of a case file review checklist. Each case however, requires a unique approach that an experienced investigator should be able to provide. James Harris has supported numerous cases by applying his in-depth investigation services. Contact Harris Investigations Inc. today to learn more about the case file review process.