What is one of the first steps in a robbery investigation?

The first step in a robbery investigation involves checking the facilities' alarms for operating conditions. This is crucial because it helps establish whether any security measures were in place and whether they functioned correctly during the incident. Understanding the state of the alarm system can provide insight into the timing of the robbery, as well as help assess how the perpetrator gained entry or escaped.

By ensuring that alarms were working or reviewing any recorded data from the system, investigators can gather valuable evidence about the crime. This step lays the groundwork for further investigative activities, such as identifying reliable witness statements or gathering physical evidence, as knowing the status of safety measures directly impacts the subsequent direction of the investigation.