criminal investigation
nounUK /ˌkrɪmɪnl ɪnˌvestɪˈɡeɪʃn/
US /ˌkrɪmɪnl ɪnˌvestɪˈɡeɪʃn/
The work police do to find out who broke the law and how.
The detective began a criminal investigation after the bank was robbed.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The process of gathering facts about a crime to solve it.
The criminal investigation took six months to complete.
3. A formal examination of a suspected illegal act by authorities.
Officials launched a criminal investigation into the missing money.
4. The study of clues and evidence to identify a lawbreaker.
Her job in criminal investigation involves collecting fingerprints.