criminal investigation
Loading your saved state.
criminal investigation
In a legal context, the entirety of the investigations carried out by the public prosecutor's office or the police to determine whether a criminal offense has been committed and who the perpetrator is.
Gegen den Verdächtigen wurde ein Ermittlungsverfahren eingeleitet.
A criminal investigation was opened against the suspect.
The word is composed of 'Ermittlung' (investigation, from 'ermitteln' — to investigate) and 'Verfahren' (process/proceedings). So it literally describes an investigation process.
Das Ermittlungsverfahren kann mehrere Monate dauern.
The criminal investigation can take several months.
In a legal context, an 'Ermittlungsverfahren' (criminal investigation) is 'eingeleitet' (opened), 'geführt' (conducted), or 'eingestellt' (closed/discontinued).
Die Staatsanwaltschaft hat das Ermittlungsverfahren aus Mangel an Beweisen eingestellt.
The public prosecutor's office closed the criminal investigation due to lack of evidence.
To name the person who is being investigated, you use the preposition 'gegen' (against) with the accusative.
Es läuft ein Ermittlungsverfahren gegen den ehemaligen Manager.
There is a criminal investigation ongoing against the former manager.
criminal proceedings
Both Strafverfahren and Ermittlungsverfahren can refer to an ongoing investigation based on suspicion of a criminal offense. Ermittlungsverfahren refers only to investigations by the police or public prosecutor’s office, whereas Strafverfahren covers the entire process up to the verdict. If you mean the preliminary investigation, Ermittlungsverfahren is the right term; for the case as a whole, use Strafverfahren.
Im Ermittlungsverfahren befragte die Polizei mehrere Zeugen.
During the criminal investigation, the police questioned several witnesses.
Das Strafverfahren endete erst nach der Verhandlung mit einem Urteil.
The criminal proceedings did not end with a verdict until after the trial.
