Which of the following is NOT a main objective of conducting a domestic abuse investigation?

• A. Provide counseling to the victim
• B. Identify persons involved and location
• C. Determine what happened, is it a crime? PC? Establish PC
• D. Collect and preserve evidence

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is what investigators focus on while conducting a domestic abuse investigation: gathering facts, ensuring safety, and preserving evidence to support any future legal action. The strongest reason this option isn’t a primary objective is that deciding whether what happened is a crime and establishing probable cause are legal determinations that come from the prosecutor and the court, not a direct investigative goal carried out on scene. In practice, officers collect details, identify who’s involved and where they are, and secure and document evidence so the legal process can determine charges later. Providing counseling to the victim is more about connecting them with resources, not a core investigative task, though referrals may be made.