Framgångsfaktorer för brottsutredning : En intervjustudie om utredares upplevelser

The Swedish Police Authority has in recent years placed increased focus on improving investigative work in cases involving particularly vulnerable victims (SUB). Including crimes in close relationships, sexual offenses, and offenses involving children. Although national strategies and internal documents clearly express that SUB is prioritized, the results still vary between police regions. This study was initiated following interest from the police region Nord to better understand why another police region, despite similar conditions, achieves higher clearance rates. The aim of this study was to contribute to the understanding of what characterizes effective investigative work within this area, based on the experiences and perspectives of criminal investigators. The study draws on theories of street-level bureaucracy, practice-based knowledge and organizational capacity. Ten qualitative interviews with criminal investigators from various police regions in Sweden form the empirical basis for the analysis. The analysis shows that effectiveness is not only a result of resources or method choice, but closely linked to early investigative actions, organizational support and the investigators professional knowledge. Emotional strain and the use of tacit knowledge are also described as central aspects in managing the demands on criminal investigators in cases involving particularly vulnerable victims. The study shows a gap between national goals and local realities, and points to the importance of leadership, stability and reflection for maintaining quality and continuity in cases involving particularly vulnerable victims (SUB).