Process of Elimination

Stage 10 – Process of Elimination

The objective of this stage of the investigation is to review all the evidence gathered from witnesses, intelligence, crime figures and forensic analysis in order to narrow down the number of suspect/s or to identify a suspect/s positively.

This stage of the investigation begins with the elimination of any person/s that had legitimate access to the crime scene/s.

The police officers, scene of crime officers (SOCOs), and majority of forensic scientists DNA profiles are stored on a database for the purposes of elimination.  Fingerprints of police officers are stored within the fingerprint bureau however the scene of crime officers (SOCOs) and forensic scientists are not, if the correct procedures when attending a crime scene or analysing evidence are followed that require; the wearing of latex gloves in order to avoid cross contamination or contamination of evidence that is being analysed they will not be required, but they can be taken for elimination purposes if necessary.

Witnesses will have been traced, investigated and eliminated (TIE) and any intelligence gathered from witness statements that could identify a suspect/s would be corroborated in order for them to be used as evidence in a court of law.

Forensic evidence that has been collected and analysed using the correct procedures that can identify a suspect/s, such as; fingerprints, DNA profile that would be admissible as evidence in a court of law.

A case that has been compiled against a suspect/s is only as strong as the evidence that has been gathered through the various stages of the investigation.  Proceeding to the next stage of charging a suspect/s will be based on all of the evidence.  A trial that presents a strong case should result in a positive outcome whereas a weak case could result in the suspect/s being found not guilty, an acquittal of the suspect/s based on lack of evidence, all of which could impact on any subsequent arrests or trial.

This stage is extremely important as a decision to charge or release a suspect/s will be made in this stage of the investigation process.

In the case of Aileen Wuornos the various witnesses would have been questioned by the police and their statements analysed in order to identify Aileen Wuornos as a suspect in the murders.  Combined with the results from the forensic evidence, such as; the fingerprints discovered at some of the crime scenes, having been analysed in order to conclusively identify Aileen Wuornos as the prime suspect in the killings.  The next stage of the criminal investigation would now be able to take place with the objective of charging Wuornos with the murders of her victims and bringing her to trial.