What is the initial goal following a crime or incident to gather evidence?

The initial goal following a crime or incident is to establish the timeline of events. This is crucial because understanding when each event occurred can help investigators piece together the sequence of actions leading up to, during, and after the crime. A clear timeline allows investigators to determine how the events unfolded, which can assist in identifying suspects, motives, and potential witnesses.

By establishing a chronological order, investigators can correlate evidence to specific timeframes, which strengthens the overall investigation and aids in the collection of additional evidence. This foundational understanding is essential in building a case and ultimately achieving a successful resolution to the investigation.

While determining suspects and motives, evaluating the need for additional resources, and documenting crime scene conditions are all important components of an investigation, they typically come after the initial step of establishing a timeline. That timeline serves as the backbone for navigating the complexities of the case and helps inform subsequent investigative steps.