Can more than one detective be assigned to the same case at the same time? I am writing a story, and I'm not sure if only one detective is allowed to a case. Please help with serious answers.
2006-09-30 07:17:30 · 9 answers · asked by B K 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Absolutely!
I worked as an investigator for a year, and during that time, I worked with at least one other investigator. In law enforcement, it is often encouraged to have several minds go over the same information, to make sure you have the right conclusion. So, for that reason, often times several detectives can work together. It may or may not be an assignment to work together, however. But yes, it often occurs were several officers/detectives do work together on a case.
Keep two things in mind, however. First of all, if you are writing about a small town, they might not HAVE two detectives. (That said, they could request assistance from a state agency, which could result in having another detective/investigator assigned to the case, albeit not from the department - since they may only have one). Secondly, the amount of people assigned to a case is not only limited by how many people there are available, but also by the severity of the case. An adult missing person (where no signs of foul play have been found) won't get the same assignments of detectives that a 3 person homicide would get. Finally, if the crime is extremely severe, especially if it crosses jurisdictional lines, a task force might be established. That would mean that you might have SEVERAL investigators/detectives assigned to a case.
So, keep in mind the size of the department, the location of the crime(s), and the severity of the crime(s) when you determine how many detectives you think are working a case. Oh ya, and usually you will have only one LEAD detective - the others assist, but the lead detective/investigator directs how the case is handled.
-Saffyre
2006-09-30 07:25:55 · answer #1 · answered by the_vampiress_saffyre 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You will find that the number of investigators (detectives) working a given case is pretty much dependant on the type of case, whether it be a local agency or even the FBI.
The crimes you see on TV or in the news - high profile embezzlements, homicides, frauds, things complex, are often worked on by more than one detective. But not necessarily. It is often the case where one primary detective works on even a high profile case - doing interviews, wrting reports, turning in evidence to a lab, making phone contacts, etc. Then he may be joined by one or more detectives when it's time for an arrest or search warrant.
Or if it's a dramatic event, like a homicide or serial killer, there may be a task force put together that may have 10 or 20 or many more detectives.
In most police departments (even the FBI) across America, I'd venture to speculate that a single detective is doing most of the basic work on a case (thefts, burglary, robbery, assaults, forgeries, etc) as the primary investigator. And then another or more is added 'as needed'.
There is no 'standard' as to how many for a particular crime event. There are variables. Budget and manpower resources within an agency vs. a high number of cases to investigate is very influential on 'how many bodies' can be assigned a single case during the routine part of investigation.
2006-09-30 23:41:40 · answer #2 · answered by nothing 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hello, take a look at this site it might help you:
http://detectiveonlinefaq.com
Good Luck
2014-05-02 11:46:22 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe they are usually assigned in pairs, as is the case in Law and Order. If only one detective is on the case it would be too easy to get overwhelmed and also to falsify evidence. By working in pairs they can spread the workload and also keep each other honest. some one once said, "The true measure of character is who you are when the lights go out." If a solo detective spends to much time in the world of criminals it may be too easy to be corrupted, or to apply moral relativism.
2006-09-30 14:29:53 · answer #4 · answered by janssen411 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. You can have different agencies working on the case. Like detectives from the FBI, State Police, and Sherriff's Department all working on one case.
2006-09-30 14:27:52 · answer #5 · answered by MoMoney23 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be more then one agency assigned to the case. So yes
2006-09-30 14:42:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, you can have more that 1 detective.i've see those cases on t.v while watching "cold cases" or that kind of shows and sometimes at the end they even get together to share and talk about what each other knows. Good luck with your story! :D
2006-09-30 14:21:32 · answer #7 · answered by Yaya 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a large case can have dozens, with some doing background work, several others interviewing and retalking to witnesses, others may be doing research.
But there will be one lead detective on each case.
2006-09-30 16:11:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes many could be on one case at one time
2006-09-30 14:19:31 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋