How do they prove if a suspect is guilty?

Answer 1

By collecting and analysing evidence from the crime scene. This could be:

• DNA from blood, sweat, hair, Chewing Gum and so on.
• Fingerprints.
• CCTV or other camera captures.
  
• Footprints.
• Fibres.
• Pollen and soil (these give away a general local area where the suspect has travelled to or is from).
  
• Witness statements and descriptions.

Sometimes in certain cases, it is best to catch the criminal in the act. For example shoplifters and drug dealers. This is done by following them and recording their movements on film and in Photography.

The evidence is analysed by detectives and crime scene investigators to link them to the person or persons responsible for the crime. They will then arrest and interrogate the suspect to either:

• Extract a confession.
• Cause them to slip up by revealing details of the crime (for example, police sometimes deliberately withhold details from the media. If the suspect knows about these details despite the fact that the police never told anyone about them - then that can only mean the suspect was at the scene).
• In cases where there is more than one suspect, strike a deal with the weakest criminal to get the strongest or the leader convicted.

After the interrogation, the suspects are then taken to court, where the evidence and interrogation tapes are displayed to the judge and the jury. The jury then decide based on the case findings whether the suspect is innocent or guilty. If found guilty, the judge sentences the suspect.

Answer 2

By forensic evidence, witness statements and due process in a trial.

Answer 3

By producing evidence that convinces the judge or jury