A common example of this scenario involves a simple assault where the aggressor flees the scene before police arrive. The complainant in that situation may complain to the police about what happened but the police need to have the person who committed it identified. So, typically they will try to obtain a picture of the suspect and see if the complainant can identify that person in what’s called a “photo array.” Once the officer or detective believes they have probable cause for the offense, they have to write up an affidavit in support of an arrest warrant and get both a judge and prosecutor