B2 - Lesson 12
LESSON 12 — POLICE INVESTIGATIONS & THE PASSIVE VOICE
Focus: Describing investigations, reporting events formally and using passive structures accurately.
1. Vocabulary: Investigation and evidence
| Word / phrase | Transcription | Ukrainian | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| crime scene | /ˈkraɪm siːn/ | місце злочину | The crime scene was examined carefully. |
| forensic evidence | /fəˈrensɪk ˈevɪdəns/ | криміналістичні докази | Forensic evidence was sent to a laboratory. |
| DNA sample | /ˌdiː en ˈeɪ ˈsɑːmpəl/ | зразок ДНК | A DNA sample was collected for analysis. |
| surveillance footage | /sɜːˈveɪləns ˈfʊtɪdʒ/ | запис із камер спостереження | Surveillance footage was reviewed by investigators. |
| eyewitness | /ˈaɪwɪtnəs/ | очевидець | An eyewitness described the suspect's clothing. |
| statement | /ˈsteɪtmənt/ | свідчення; заява | The witness gave a statement to the police. |
| confession | /kənˈfeʃən/ | зізнання | The confession was examined alongside other evidence. |
| motive | /ˈməʊtɪv/ | мотив | Investigators tried to establish a motive. |
| trace | /treɪs/ | слід; слідова кількість | Traces of paint were found on the door. |
| identify | /aɪˈdentɪfaɪ/ | ідентифікувати; упізнати | The witness could not identify the person. |
| rule out | /ruːl aʊt/ | виключити як можливість | The police ruled out several explanations. |
| suspect someone of | /səˈspekt ˈsʌmwʌn əv/ | підозрювати когось у чомусь | He was suspected of stealing confidential files. |
| recover stolen property | /rɪˈkʌvə ˈstəʊlən ˈprɒpəti/ | повернути викрадене майно | Some stolen property was recovered. |
| confiscate | /ˈkɒnfɪskeɪt/ | конфіскувати | The illegal items were confiscated. |
| detain | /dɪˈteɪn/ | затримувати | The individual was detained for questioning. |
2. Collocations for investigations
досліджувати докази
Every item was examined.
допитувати підозрюваного
The suspect was questioned in the afternoon.
збирати відбитки пальців
Fingerprints were collected at the scene.
встановити мотив
A clear motive has not been established.
встановити особу правопорушника
The offender was identified through further investigation.
розпочати розслідування
An investigation was launched immediately.
подати заяву / звіт
A report was filed with the police.
здійснити арешт
An arrest was made after new evidence emerged.
3. Grammar focus — The passive voice
We use the passive when the action or its result is more important than the person who performs it, or when the person is unknown or obvious.
| Tense / form | Structure | Active example | Passive example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | am / is / are + V3 | The police investigate the case. | The case is investigated by the police. |
| Past Simple | was / were + V3 | The police arrested the suspect. | The suspect was arrested. |
| Present Continuous | am / is / are being + V3 | The team is examining the evidence. | The evidence is being examined. |
| Past Continuous | was / were being + V3 | The police were questioning the witness. | The witness was being questioned. |
| Present Perfect | has / have been + V3 | Investigators have collected the samples. | The samples have been collected. |
| Past Perfect | had been + V3 | The police had found the weapon. | The weapon had been found. |
| Future Simple | will be + V3 | The court will announce the verdict. | The verdict will be announced. |
| Modal verbs | modal + be + V3 | The police must protect the evidence. | The evidence must be protected. |
When do we use “by”?
Use by + agent when the person or organisation performing the action is important.
The new policy was introduced by the government.
Leave the agent out when it is unknown, unimportant or obvious.
The suspect was arrested yesterday.
Passive voice and reporting
These structures are common in news reports and formal writing:
- It is believed that… — It is believed that the offender acted alone.
- The suspect is believed to… — The suspect is believed to have left the country.
- It is alleged that… — It is alleged that confidential information was stolen.
- It has been reported that… — It has been reported that several arrests have been made.
4. Passive voice test A — Choose the correct form
1. The suspect ______ yesterday.
2. The evidence ______ at the moment.
3. Three witnesses ______ so far.
4. The verdict ______ tomorrow.
5. The witness ______ when the lawyer entered the room.
6. All evidence ______ carefully.
5. Passive voice test B — Rewrite the sentences
Change each active sentence into the passive voice. Include the full sentence.
1. The police arrested the suspect.
2. Investigators are examining the fingerprints.
3. The team has collected new evidence.
4. The court will announce the verdict.
5. The officers were questioning the witness.
6. People must protect private information.
Show model answers
- The suspect was arrested by the police.
- The fingerprints are being examined by investigators.
- New evidence has been collected by the team.
- The verdict will be announced by the court.
- The witness was being questioned by the officers.
- Private information must be protected.
6. Passive voice test C — Complete the sentence
1. The suspect ______ (arrest) last night.
2. The fingerprints ______ (examine) right now.
3. The stolen jewellery ______ already ______ (recover).
4. The case ______ (discuss) when the judge arrived.
5. The final decision must ______ (make) carefully.
7. Reporting language — Is it a fact or an allegation?
Choose careful language when guilt has not been proven. In formal reporting, distinguish what is known from what is alleged.
1. The suspect has not been convicted. Which sentence is more responsible?
2. The police have confirmed that an arrest took place.
3. Choose the correct reporting structure.
8. Case file — The Office Break-in
A laptop and several confidential documents were reported missing from an office on Monday morning. The office had been locked over the weekend. A security camera was being repaired at the time, so no footage was available from the main entrance.
The police were called and a preliminary investigation was launched. Fingerprints were collected from a desk, and employees were interviewed. One employee was seen leaving the building late on Friday, but the employee explained that they had stayed behind to finish a report.
On Tuesday, the missing laptop was found in a storage room in another part of the building. Investigators were still trying to establish whether a crime had taken place and who, if anyone, was responsible for the missing documents.
No charges had been announced by Wednesday. The investigation was continuing, and employees were reminded not to share unverified accusations online.
1. Why was no footage available from the main entrance?
2. Which sentence is passive?
3. What can we conclude about the employee who left late?
4. Which sentence accurately reports the case?
9. Speaking: Give a case update
Imagine you are giving a short, formal update about the office break-in. Write 5–7 sentences.
Include:
- At least four passive sentences.
- One Present Perfect passive sentence.
- One Past Continuous passive sentence.
- One sentence explaining that the investigation is still ongoing.