Overview

Criminal investigations are integral to an overall crime reduction strategy. Investigations are supported and reinforced by established policies, training programs, and accountability measures. Criminal investigations are bolstered by effective management and specialized training to ensure investigators are updated on new investigative methods, legal standards, and best practices.

Yellow police tape with the words 'CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS' in the foreground, with blurred emergency response vehicles and their flashing lights in the background during a night scene.

Self-Review Tool

The Knowledge Lab is developing an online self-review tool to help agencies reflect on their current policies and practices evaluate them against research and evidence-informed practices their performance in key areas of policing. This tool is intended to provide a snapshot of where an agency currently stands within this core practice area. There are no right or wrong answers, only an opportunity for honest reflection, learning, and continuous improvement.

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Resources Related to Crime Investigations

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Emergency response scene featuring a police SUV with flashing lights in the foreground and a fire truck in the background.

| 2026

Crime Trends in U.S. Cities: Year-End 2025 Update

  • Crime and Violence Reduction
  • Crime Investigations

Guidebook/Tool | 2026

Implementation Toolkit for Real-Time Crime Centers

  • Crime and Violence Reduction
  • Crime Investigations
  • Technology Implementation
Emergency response scene featuring a police SUV with flashing lights in the foreground and a fire truck in the background.

Article | 2025

Prioritizing Cold-Case Murders: What Law Enforcement Executives Can Do

  • Crime and Violence Reduction
  • Crime Investigations
Yellow police tape with the words 'CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS' in the foreground, with blurred emergency response vehicles and their flashing lights in the background during a night scene.

Article | 2025

Fourth Amendment Limitations on DNA Collection, Procurement, and Retention

  • Crime Investigations
cropped view of female police officer standing guard

Guidebook/Tool | 2025

The National Case Closed Project’s Solvability Calculator for Active Nonfatal Shooting Investigations

  • Crime and Violence Reduction
  • Crime Investigations

Guidebook/Tool | 2025

GunStat Toolkit

  • Crime and Violence Reduction
  • Crime Investigations

Guidebook/Tool | 2024

What is a Crime Gun Intelligence Center? Overview for Local Law Enforcement

  • Crime Investigations
cropped view of female police officer standing guard

Research Brief | 2024

Law Enforcement Use of Predictive Policing Approaches: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief 2024

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Crime Investigations
  • Public Transparency

The information provided within these modules has been gathered from various sources, including legal reviews, research, and practitioner and department-developed resources. These webpage modules are intended to be a guide for departments to use to improve their policing practices. Additional information and resources may be needed to implement the recommendations successfully. This resource is intended to be dynamic, and the Knowledge Lab will continue to update and add to these modules to provide additional and current guidance for departments.

Explore the Complete Resources Library

Access the complete Resources Library to explore a wide range of strategies, tools, and best practices that support agencies, practitioners, and communities.