At what stage does a detective typically begin an investigation?

• A. After the case has been assigned to a detective
• B. During the preliminary investigation
• C. Only after an arrest has been made
• D. When the detective completes the case file

Answer: (B)

The detective starts actively gathering facts and setting the investigation in motion during the preliminary investigation. This phase happens right after the incident is reported or the case is assigned, and it involves securing the scene, identifying and interviewing witnesses, collecting initial evidence, and evaluating what happened. It’s the on-scene, early post-incident work that establishes the basics of the case and determines the next steps. Arrests and a full case file come later, after more thorough follow-up work or when sufficient evidence has been gathered. So the investigation begins in the preliminary investigation because that’s when the initial facts are established and leads are identified.