lisätutkinnan

Lisätutkinta is a Finnish legal term that translates to "further investigation" or "additional inquiry." It refers to a stage in a criminal investigation where the authorities, typically the police or the prosecutor, decide that more information is needed to properly assess the evidence or to build a case. This can occur at various points, from the initial reporting of a crime to the pre-trial phase.

The decision to order a lisätutkinta is usually made when the existing evidence is insufficient to determine guilt or innocence, or when new facts or suspicions arise. This might involve interviewing additional witnesses, gathering new physical evidence, conducting expert analyses, or re-examining existing evidence in a different light. The goal is to clarify ambiguities, fill in gaps in the investigation, or to verify the credibility of information already obtained.

A lisätutkinta can be initiated by the investigator in charge or by a prosecutor. It is a standard procedure in many legal systems aimed at ensuring that investigations are thorough and that decisions are based on comprehensive information. The process can sometimes extend the timeline of a criminal case, as it requires additional resources and time to complete. However, it is considered a crucial step in upholding the principles of due process and ensuring that justice is served based on a complete understanding of the facts.