What is the primary purpose of a criminal investigation?

The primary purpose of a criminal investigation encompasses several critical elements, which is why this particular choice is the most comprehensive. It is focused on the systematic gathering of evidence to identify an offender, with the ultimate goal of not just identifying the suspect but also apprehending them and ensuring they are prosecuted in a court of law. This process involves collecting, preserving, and analyzing various types of evidence to build a case.

While identifying offenders is part of the investigation process, the focus solely on gathering evidence could overlook the importance of the apprehension and prosecution phases. Additionally, the immediate arrest of all suspects is not a suitable objective for a criminal investigation, as this approach may lead to mistakes and unfair treatment. Moreover, the pursuit of proving innocence is not the primary goal; rather, investigations aim to seek the truth, which may involve establishing the guilt or innocence of the accused based on the evidence collected. Therefore, the encompassing nature of identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting offenders makes this choice the most accurate descriptor of the overall purpose of criminal investigations.