Building blocks of criminal investigations: A novel vignette study on investigative decision‐making

Abstract

Aim

This study investigates the decision-making processes of Dutch district police teams during high-volume criminal investigations, exploring which investigative activities are selected and explaining variation across teams. Additionally, we present the focal concerns guiding decisions in these investigations.

Method

Using a novel vignette-based ‘building block’ methodology, eight district teams simulated an armed robbery investigation by constructing their investigative paths with building blocks, representing individual activities. Their investigations were followed by semi-structured group discussions, providing rich qualitative and quantitative data.

Results

The study identified 76 unique activities across the investigative paths, of which 41 were classified as investigative activities. Analyses revealed considerable variation in activity employment between teams, though common activities included interviewing witnesses, collecting video footage, requesting the help of the public, collecting intelligence, seizures, and forensic investigation. Cluster analyses indicated some grouping in investigative strategies. Qualitative data showed that decision-making was influenced by shared considerations, such as evidentiary thresholds, victim reimbursement, operational constraints, and legal considerations. Moreover, detectives applied their discretion to increase investigative efficacy.

Conclusion

Our results echo frameworks like Lipsky’s street-level bureaucracy and focal concerns theory in decision-making by investigators. While all district teams operated within a shared legal and procedural framework, their choices reflected localized resources, constraints, and strategies. We found that detectives investigating high-volume serious crime are focused on doing the most with the least, sharing operational goals while applying their local resources and discretion to reach them.