Investigations of criminal offenses are accomplished by a professionally trained criminal investigator.  The investigator is also trained in crime scene search, and will many times take photographs and search for evidence while taking reports.  Latent fingerprints will often be attempted, possibly requiring that certain items be taken to the police station for better testing.

All offenses are assigned to an investigator for follow-up, even if the investigator does not go to the scene of the crime.  Many offenses do not require the investigator to respond immediately to the scene, as patrol officers frequently can accomplish the same results.  The decision to call an investigator to the scene of the crime is up to the patrol supervisor.

The investigator makes every effort to keep the complainant informed as to the progress and current status of all investigations.