What term describes the process of gathering evidence to solve crimes?

• A. Criminal Investigation
• B. Evidence Review
• C. Criminal Justice System
• D. Taxpayer Funding

Answer: (A)

Criminal investigation is the process of gathering evidence to solve crimes. It begins at the crime scene, where investigators preserve and document what happened, then collect physical and digital evidence, and interview witnesses. Forensic analysis may be applied to the evidence, and investigators keep a strict chain of custody to ensure everything remains reliable and admissible in court. The aim is to connect clues to a suspect or suspects and establish the facts of the incident. This differs from evidence review, which focuses on evaluating evidence that has already been collected, and from the criminal justice system, which encompasses the wider network of agencies and processes. Taxpayer funding is unrelated to the investigative process.