Solvable assault crimes? A study of the prerequisites for assault crimes to be investigated and the Police's ability to solve those crimes.

About the project

The Police are involved in almost all investigative phases, starting with a crime and ending in court. The clearance rate is a core issue. Hence, if this rate is low or decreases, perpetrators will not be prosecuted and sentenced, and the police will be blamed. Is that fair? They close down many investigations prematurely particularly those that represent less severe crimes. A part explanation is based on priorities, decided on within the police but also based on external pressures. The Police work in real-time – and resources might suddenly be needed elsewhere. Continuity of work suffers. Resources, priorities, and strategies should be optimized on the organizational macro-level. What can be done on the floor level? What are the optimal conditions for a less severe assault to be investigated and cleared up? What investigative skills do police investigators need for this type of crime?

As a street-level bureaucracy, the Police must household with resources and prioritize incoming cases. From 2021, according to the national investigation strategy, the police must only investigate crimes with conditions to reach prosecution and affect sentencing. What is the decision-making basis for the prime investigator’s first assessment of whether or not a crime should be investigated? How is prioritization done? Those are relevant questions to be answered, from a legal certainty point of view, but also to be able to assess to what extent the police achieve the set goals for investigative activities.

Aim

The purpose of this study is to investigate the prerequisites for assault crimes to be investigated and the Police's ability to solve those crimes. The aim is to produce knowledge for a follow-up model that delivers better than today.