Planning ab initio pre-trial investigation as the condition for a more effective investigation of crimes: from theory to practice
The article analyzes the concept of planning a pre-trial investigation and its importance for the pre-trial investigation. The content of this process is analyzed as one of the factors influencing the effectiveness of pre-trial investigation of financial crimes in Lithuania. The article consists of an introduction and two sections. The first section introduces the concept of planning a pre-trial investigation and defines the interrelation between the proceedings and the organization of a pre-trial investigation. This section discusses the elements of planning a pre-trial investigation and the possibilities of planning in practice as well as the fundamental objectives and principles of planning a pre-trial investigation. The second section introduces the results of empirical research: it analyzes real-life planning situation in the Financial Crime Investigation divisions of the country, considers and assesses how a pre-trial investigation is planned by investigators of financial crimes. This section also discusses some aspects of planning techniques as well as their influence on a more effective investigation of such criminal actions. At the end the authors present some important and essential recommendations for planning an investigation and seeking efficiency.