Setting: L.A., present day
Situation: MC going through contentious divorce. Wife living w new partner. MC has girlfriend. Wife and MC are seen arguing in public place. A week later, MC spends part of night w GF at her place, but leaves while she is sleeping. That night, wife and her new partner are shot dead in their apartment. Homicide investigation ensues. Security camera footage shows 2 unidentified men entering the apartment building just before murder (shots heard by neighbors shortly thereafter) and exiting a few minutes later. Neither matches physical appearance of MC.
Questions:
1. At what point in investigation the police interview the MC? Would they treat him as a suspect and arrest him, or how would the interview be handled? If there is no physical evidence implicating him, but he doesn't have a solid alibi, would he be called a suspect or person of interest? Can police monitor his activities/phone calls etc?
2. At what point would they interview the MC's girlfriend? She's a teacher, would they go to the school and ask q's there? How would they frame the introduction/explain to GF why they're there and asking her questions?
3. How does a homicide detective typically introduce himself to a potential witness he wants to interview (in person)?
4. Do detectives always go on these interviews w a partner, or can one do an interview solo?
5. Does interview (in the field) get recorded somehow? Does detective ask for permission to record it?
6. Do detectives still use paper/pencil to take notes during field interview, or is this done digitally?
7. Can the GF decline to be interviewed at that time and ask for later appointment? If she tries to communicate w the MC, is that communication monitored by police (e.g. phone call, text, in-person visit)?
thanks!
Situation: MC going through contentious divorce. Wife living w new partner. MC has girlfriend. Wife and MC are seen arguing in public place. A week later, MC spends part of night w GF at her place, but leaves while she is sleeping. That night, wife and her new partner are shot dead in their apartment. Homicide investigation ensues. Security camera footage shows 2 unidentified men entering the apartment building just before murder (shots heard by neighbors shortly thereafter) and exiting a few minutes later. Neither matches physical appearance of MC.
Questions:
1. At what point in investigation the police interview the MC? Would they treat him as a suspect and arrest him, or how would the interview be handled? If there is no physical evidence implicating him, but he doesn't have a solid alibi, would he be called a suspect or person of interest? Can police monitor his activities/phone calls etc?
2. At what point would they interview the MC's girlfriend? She's a teacher, would they go to the school and ask q's there? How would they frame the introduction/explain to GF why they're there and asking her questions?
3. How does a homicide detective typically introduce himself to a potential witness he wants to interview (in person)?
4. Do detectives always go on these interviews w a partner, or can one do an interview solo?
5. Does interview (in the field) get recorded somehow? Does detective ask for permission to record it?
6. Do detectives still use paper/pencil to take notes during field interview, or is this done digitally?
7. Can the GF decline to be interviewed at that time and ask for later appointment? If she tries to communicate w the MC, is that communication monitored by police (e.g. phone call, text, in-person visit)?
thanks!
