Timelines, they are the unequivocal heart of any criminal investigation.

It is the timeline that allows law enforcement to determine whether or not a potential

person of interest had the opportunity to commit the crime.

It is the timeline against which any alibi is measured, and it is the timeline which

law enforcement develops that is relied on by the prosecutors when developing their

theory of the case.

It is the state's timeline that defense attorneys attempt to pick apart prior to and

at trial, especially in a strictly circumstantial case in order to sway the jury to believe

that their client is not the guy.

So how do the cops put together their timeline?

Well, good question, here's how it's done.

So after the apparent commission of a crime, let's say a homicide, the first order of business

for law enforcement is to attempt to determine both the time and cause of death.

The cause of death is imperative initially because it alone determines whether or not a criminal

investigation is required.

If the cause of death is determined by the ME or the medical examiner to be of natural

causes or suicide, then the criminal investigation is halted in its tracks.

If the cause of death is determined to be a homicide, however, then the time of death

becomes absolutely critical.

This can be an extremely challenging endeavor for any medical examiner depending on the

condition of the body.

As it requires a combination of both law enforcement's initial investigation into the crime and

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