Principles and Approaches to Criminal Investigation, Part 3 (EVIDENCE: CASE STUDY‪)‬

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For the purpose of this series of articles, the term "investigative processes" will be used to describe both criminal investigation and crime scene processing. Any distinctions between criminal investigation and crime scene processing will be designated as such. Although crime scene processing is part of criminal investigation, it is distinct; crime scene processing requires rigorous scientific methodologies (i.e., collection procedures, testing protocols, etc.), whereas criminal investigation has less of a "hard science" character and relies more on the experience and skills of the investigator rather than rigid scientific protocols and procedures. In this light, crime scene processing can be viewed as the "science" of investigative processes, whereas criminal investigation can be viewed as the "art."