The goal of any criminal investigation is to determine the truth about how a crime occurred, the goals are:

• A. To determine if a crime has been committed
• B. To legally obtain information and evidence to identify the person(s) responsible for committing the crime
• C. To legally arrest the suspect(s)
• D. To recover all stolen property

Answer: (B)

At the heart of a criminal investigation is gathering information and evidence in a way that is legally admissible to identify who committed the crime. This means focusing on building a factual case against the offender, not just confirming that something happened. The goal is to assemble the facts and evidence that establish probable cause to identify and charge the suspect(s), while preserving rights and the integrity of the process. Arresting someone can be a consequence when probable cause exists, but it is not the primary aim of every investigation. Recovering stolen property is important in many cases, but it is not the overarching objective and cannot substitute for identifying the perpetrator and building a prosecutable case.