Editing Detective (section)

===Criminal investigation===
[[File:Day 293 - West Midlands Police - Child Online Safeguarding Team (8102352763).jpg|thumb|Detectives of the [[West Midlands Police]] in the United Kingdom surrounded by electronic devices seized as evidence]]

Investigation of criminal activity is conducted by the police. Criminal activity can relate to road use such as speeding, drunk driving, or to matters such as theft, drug distribution, assault, fraud, etc. When the police have concluded their investigation, a decision on whether to charge somebody with a criminal offence will (depending on legal jurisdiction) often be made by prosecuting counsel having considered the evidence produced by the police.

In criminal investigations, once a detective has suspects in mind, the next step is to produce evidence that will stand up in a court of law. One way is to obtain a confession from the suspect; usually, this is done by developing rapport and, at times, by seeking information in exchange for potential perks available through the attorney's office, such as entering for a lesser sentence in exchange for usable information. In some countries, detectives may lie, mislead and psychologically pressure a suspect into an admission or confession as long as they do this within procedural boundaries and without the threat of violence or promises outside their control. This is not permitted in [[England and Wales]], where interview of suspects and witnesses is governed by the [[Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984]] and its extensive Codes of Practice.