A straightforward, engaging, and relevant analytical examination of the criminal investigation process and the role of evidence in this process, this text provides a substantial and necessary foundation on which students can base an understanding of the criminal investigation process. Criminal Investigation is based on the fundamental premise that an understanding of criminal evidence is the foundation upon which all other knowledge of criminal investigation should be built. Other texts focus primarily on the techniques of evidence collection but in so doing, they miss other very important material - namely, the value of evidence in establishing proof - that may only be covered in college-level criminal investigation courses. Criminal Investigation examines the problems, strengths, and weaknesses of various forms of evidence, and explains why proper evidence collection procedures are important. An understanding of these issues requires thorough analysis of them. It is in these ways that Criminal Investigation provides an analytical perspective.