Barking up the Right Tree - How to Identify Learning Points in Criminal Investigations Using a Methodology Based upon a Fifty‐Year Old Diagramming Technique

Essay

Abstract

Increasingly there is recognition of a need for a systematic approach in assessing police performance. The main reasons include the following: 1. Evaluations make it possible to learn from both mistakes made and successes, to identify the circumstances under which people and resources can be deployed optimally and to confirm the value of resources and methods successfully employed; 2. Knowledge and insights acquired from evaluations can be exchanged with other investigation agencies or sections of the organization in question, and; 3. Evaluations provide the opportunity to explain choices made, expectations raised and risks taken. In addition, expenditure in terms of people, resources, money and time can be explained.