A Morphology of Law and Order

However, within these two parts, there also exists a very intricate and defined set of event types that appear in various forms in every episode. This site was designed in an attempt to detail these types and their forms.

A: Discovery of Victim

A victim is introduced and some sort of complaint is made. Note that the complaint may have been made by either the victim or someone else. The complaint may have also been presented as information that led to the discovery of the victim.

A¹: Discovery of the body of the Victim

This discovery is made by some other person, either someone known by the victim, a passer-by, or a police officer investigating some complaint.

A²: Complaint of an assault on the Victim

This information may come about through a conversation of an officer with either the Victim or with a discoverer. Note, the discoverer may be either a direct witness or someone known to the Victim. This discoverer may become a suspect later.

B: Introduction of the Detectives

The Detectives are called in to investigate the complaint.

B¹: Appearance of Detectives on the site of the complaint.

The Detectives appear on the scene to guide the investigation of the complaint by police officers already on the scene.

B²: Detectives sent to the site of the complaint.

In some cases, the Detectives are notified of the complaint, and are then sent to continue the investigation.

C: Initial investigation

Once the Detectives appear at the site of the complaint, they begin to carry out their investigation that would lead directly to the introduction of the Suspect. Note that both of the following events would occur if relevant.

C¹: Informants questioned

Many witnesses or potential witnesses are sought out and questioned to gain more information into the events leading to or of the complaint.

C²: Site examined

The site of the discovery of the Victim is examined for physical evidence. This includes any documents or records that relate to access to the site.

D: Hypothesis developed

This stage may occur within the initial investigation. At this time, the Detectives bring together the evidence they have collected to determine the specifics of the crime. Note that many of these events may occur in any order.

D¹: Crime profile developed

The Detectives create a likely scenario for the event of the crime.

D²: Potential Suspects identified

All persons who had access to the Victim and are capable of committing the crime are identified.

D³: Alibis investigated

Any alibis given by potential suspects are investigated.

D⁴: Elimination of potential Suspects

This step usually follows D³. When it is determined that a potential suspect is incapable of committing the crime, then that potential suspect is removed from the investigation. Note that evidence found later in the investigation may cause such a suspect to be readmitted to the investigation.

D⁵: Search warrants obtained

Should the Detectives discover enough evidence to focus on a potential suspect, or pertinent records are being witheld, then a search warrant may lead them to discover more pertinent evidence to be used to form a hypothesis.

D⁶: Primary Suspect(s) introduced

Once all of the evidence has been collected and sorted, then some potential Suspect(s) would be singled out beyond the others. This may be due to a discrepency in alibi, connection to evidence, witness corroboration, or any combination of those factors.

E: Suspect indicted/absolved

In this stage, the Detectives attempt to strengthen their suspicion of the Suspect. Further evidence must be obtained to do this. This may result in an indictment being passed down on the Suspect.

E¹: Suspect questioned

The detectives often state their suspicion of the Suspect, and attempt to gain more information that will support their suspicion. This may occur several times, either in the police station or at the Suspect's home or business.

E²: Suspect confesses

In this unlikely event, the Suspect is then taken into custody and held until arraignment. Note that a confession doesn't necessarily lead to a guilty plea on the part of the Suspect.

E³: Suspect arrested

If enough evidence has been obtained pointing to the Suspect as guilty of the crime, then an arrest would occur. This may occur at any time during the police investigation, and may be sudden or during the course of questioning the Suspect.

F: Lawyers introduced

Once the Detectives appear to have collected enough evidence that points to a specific Suspect, then the District Attorney's office is called in to begin court proceedings against the Suspect. This stage may overlap the previous stage, or may come before it.

F¹: Discussion with Detectives

The Lawyers may meet with the Detectives prior to arresting a Suspect to determine if enough evidence has been obtained to indict the Suspect. They may have the Detectives return to their investigation, or may have the Suspect arrested.

F²: Discussion with the Suspect and other Lawyer

The assistant District Attorneys may first appear in a meeting with the Suspect to determine if any bargain will be reached.

F³: Appearance in court

The Lawyers may first appear in the Suspect's arraignment arguing over bail and validity of the case. At this point, the case against the Suspect may be dismissed, resulting in a return to D.

G: Hypothesis refined

The Lawyers attempt to connect more evidence with the Suspect. This stage is like D except it's performed by the Lawyers. In some cases, an abridged return to D occurs.

H: Suspect exonerated

At some point during the trial, evidence will most likely be obtained that exonerates the Suspect. Following this stage, the process may return to F. Note that the trial may continue nonetheless.

H¹: Evidence corrupted

The primary evidence implicating the Suspect is either found to be misapplied through testimony, or is disallowed by the Judge.

H²: Alternate Suspect implicated

Evidence is discovered that transfers the appearance of guilt from the Suspect to another person.

H³: Charges dropped

In a non-capital offense trial, the complaint against the Suspect may be removed.

H⁴: Confession corrupted

Although this is a sub-class of H¹, it happens enough to be given a separate category. In this, a confession may be disallowed because it was obtained illegally. It may also become less important in a case where the admission of guilt is less irrelevant (ie. temporary insanity).

I: Case (re)built

If the Suspect gets exonerated, then some evidence is discovered to attempt to fill the gap left by the cause of the exoneration. Otherwise, the initial evidence collected will remain the primary evidence against the Suspect.

I¹: New evidence discovered

New evidence is discovered that can be used to reimplicate the Suspect.

I²: Corrupted evidence improved

Shortcomings of the initial evidence are addressed and more evidence connected.

I³: Alternate Suspect exonerated

Evidence is discovered to exonerate the alternate Suspect.

I⁴: Alternate Suspect indicted

Evidence that was formerly connected with the Suspect is transferred to the alternate Suspect. Usually, this leads to a dismissal of the case against the primary Suspect.

I⁵: Charges reestablished

The victim is convinced to continue with the charge against the Suspect.

J: Verdict reached

Once the trial has ended, then the jury presents it's verdict on the guilt of the Suspect. If the Suspect is found to not be guilty, then the process may return to F in rare circumstances. Otherwise, the episode ends with some discussion between the Lawyers.