Investigation Leads

Once all of the evidence has been collected, the investigators can begin to produce some Investigation Leads based on the information which has been found. This evidence can be found in many ways, either from the crime scene, through conducting interviews to try and understand the victim and even from a pathology report in the case of a murder. For example, if the pathology report were to show that the victim had illegal drugs in their system, and someone knew who their drug dealer was, then an Investigation Lead can be created to investigate this person.


Once a person has been determined as a suspect, the police need to trace the person in question and either question them or arrest them. Once the police have arrested a suspect a questioning will begin, in which the police will as the suspect a number of question about the victim and the crime in order to examine their answers. If the suspect confesses to their guilt, then they can be arrested, however, if they are or seem to be innocent, they are released, and a new investigation lead must begin.

This stage is crucial to the remainder of the investigation as it allows clear links to be established, so that the officers know where to lead the investigation, without this stage of the investigation- police officers would struggle to take an investigation to court.


OJ Simpson Case


Very early on in the OJ Simpson case, it was determined that OJ was a clear suspect for numerous pieces of evidence which stood against him. Firstly, there was his blood found at the scene of the crime, and then, in turn, the victim's blood found at OJ's house, with a trail of blood between the two properties. Secondly, Mark Furman found the matching glove to the one found at the crime scene on OJ's property.

Other than physical evidence was the evidence of former spousal abuse in the form of 911 calls made by Nicole, stating that OJ was abusing her, and she feared for her life. 

The police very quickly brought OJ Simpson in for questioning, however, due to his celebrity status and charm, he was released from custody very quickly, without being properly questioned about the crime. 

OJ then fled from the Police in his Ford Bronco, allegedly heading for the Mexican Border, after attempting suicide in his friend Robert Kardashian's daughter Kim's bedroom. 

This stage did not directly affect the outcome of the OJ Simpson trial, however without it OJ would never have been taken to trial.