Which concept involves gathering evidence and applying methods to solve crimes?

• A. Fair Trial Safeguards
• B. Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
• C. Guided Learning Hours
• D. Investigative Techniques

Answer: (D)

At the heart of this item is the process of investigation: gathering evidence and applying methods to solve crimes. Investigative techniques are the systematic tools and approaches used by investigators to collect physical traces, interview people, analyze data, and reconstruct events. This includes securing and documenting a crime scene, collecting fingerprints, DNA, digital evidence, and using interviews and timelines to connect suspects to the crime. These methods help turn scattered information into a coherent case and support identifying who is responsible. The other options relate to different parts of the criminal justice system or learning: safeguarding rights of the accused during trials, the body that decides on charges, and training time in education. So, the concept of gathering evidence and applying methods to solve crimes is investigative techniques.