Abstract
This research examined the criminal investigation process in a suburban police department through case-tracking of 5,536 crime reports. In addition, 3,243 hours of investigative activity were monitored through "detective logs"to provide a broader perspective on the criminal investigator's working day. Finally, 132 solved cases were closely examined in order to identify the procedures leading to success. The pattern offindings was similar to that obtained in the landmark study be' the Rand Corporation, i.e., that cases are "solved" largely through routine processing of information that is provided at the crime scene. Nevertheless, the study points to the importance of interrogation skills as a part of routine processing.
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