Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

Should a case be closed if law enforcement officials cannot move forward with an investigation?

1. True

2. False

3. Only after a certain time period

4. Only if there is no evidence

The correct answer is: False

In law enforcement practice, a case should not automatically be closed simply because officials cannot move forward with an investigation. Keeping a case open allows for future developments, such as new evidence, tips, or leads that may arise later. It is important to ensure that the door remains open for any possibilities that might bring about new progress. Closing a case prematurely can prevent justice from being served if critical information comes to light at a later date. While there may be situations where cases are classified as inactive or unsolved, these designations do not equate to closure in the traditional sense. This approach ensures that a case remains accessible for re-examination and potential re-investigation when circumstances change. Hence, the principle of leaving the case open aligns with best practices in law enforcement, supported by the possibility and necessity of ongoing investigations as new information may emerge over time.