125 circumstances, those extensions shall be interpreted in the narrow sense to ensure that pretrial detention is used only exceptionally. When deciding whether pretrial detention should be prolonged, an important factor to consider is whether specific evidence, which may have initially made the application of such a measure seem appropriate, may have become less compelling with the passage of time. 5. Study the possibility of increasing the crimes or offenses for which pretrial detention cannot be legally applied, as well as the possibility of not imposing greater restrictions on the mechanisms and procedural possibilities for the release of detainees awaiting trial. These actions would contribute to the use of this measure being truly exceptional and in accordance with its precautionary nature. 6. In the context of criminal proceedings, there shall be sufficient evidentiary elements that associate the accused with the facts of the case, in order to justify an order of preventive deprivation of liberty. Pretrial detention should not be decided based solely on the reports produced by police authorities. In any case, the request for the order of pretrial detention must be duly grounded. 7. When seeking one or several precautionary measures, the prosecutors or agents of the Public Prosecutor’s Office shall: (a) make the case that there is sufficient evidence to show that a crime was likely committed and that the defendant was involved; (b) based on the circumstances of the case and the suspect’s subjective characteristics, make a sufficient case for the fact that the suspect will not stand trial voluntarily or will obstruct the investigation or any specific measure taken in the case; and (c) specify the period of time the suspect should be held in pretrial detention. In cases in which the prosecutor requests the application of the precautionary measure of pretrial detention, he or she shall provide grounds as to why the application of a less restrictive alternative measure would not be viable. 8. Decisions by competent judicial authorities ordering pretrial detention should be the result of a thorough and not merely formal examination of each case, done in accordance with the applicable international standards set out in this report. The corresponding resolution ordering pretrial detention must name the individual whose pretrial detention is being ordered, spell out the facts attributed to him or her, specify the crimes that those facts constitute, explain the circumstances that necessitate pretrial detention, and set the time period that the individual is to be held in pretrial detention and the date on which it will expire.