Criminals especially those who are going through court proceedings may not feel comfortable disclosing certain information to someone they know to be a researcher. Typically most researchers are similar to police in characteristics, white and middle class, so acting covertly will most likely increase comfortability between the researcher and criminals, allowing more valid research to be acquired. Similarly judges and police may alter their behaviours if they know the researchers true identity in a bid to disguise any flaws in their practices and unjustified law enforcing. However, Positivists would argue that data collected by covert observations aren’t at all valid, they are biased as they are based off of the observer’s interpretations. This could be especially true in the case of researching court proceedings as it is unlikely many researchers have gone through one themselves.
Use of force is a very important part of an officer’s ability to keep themselves and the public safe, but is also very controversial. The first thing anyone should try, if not in immediate danger, is to verbally diffuse a situation. If an officer can use words to get compliance from a criminal, then he or she won’t have to worry about defending their actions in court. There are no ethical issues involved with this level of the continuum. The use of restraint holds and chokes is a very dangerous thing if used improperly, but has many advantages when done correctly.
‘Outline and evaluate research into eyewitness testimony.’ Eyewitness testimonies are often used as evidence and are an important part of the criminal process. Witnesses to crimes may be perceived to be honest and well intention-ed when giving evidence, however psychological research has shown that eyewitness testimonies may not be as truthful and helpful as it is widely perceived thus debating how valid eyewitness testimonies are. There are many factors that affect eyewitness testimonies, one of the main factors is the role of anxiety. One of the most widely known studies into anxiety affecting eyewitness testimony is Loftus’ study to find out if anxiety during a witnessed incident affects the accuracy of later identification. Within this study participants were exposed to two situations, one a low-key discussion in a laboratory about an equipment failure with a person then emerging from the laboratory holding a pen with grease on their hands.
Something that I found very interesting with this video is that it seems to me that it is yet another example of a “crime scene investigation” style show and that is something that can cause a proble later. As we talked about the worry with these types of shows is that they can case the CSI effect on potential jourors. This style show in particular is one that I would worry about since it is showing the investigation of a real case unlike those that are seen on “CSI” or “NCIS” those are based on fake stories and people are less likely to see that as the way that things are done. Forensic science and its developments help the detectives find the crime scene, test and gather testimonial and physical evidence, and reenact the crime scene to help interrogation. Long after the crime scene is gone, investigators can virtually return to the scene of the crime to test out theories and compare evidence results to an investigation that leads to a confession.
However, this does not necessarily mean that the events described by the man did not occur. What actions would you take as the officer in this case? Domestic violence is a complicated case and can be difficult to determine who is at fault, unless there are physical signs of abuse. Most typical calls to a domestic violence situation, there is almost always a conflicting story that blames one or the other. Therefore, the actions I would take as an officer in this case is to find out if this is a domestic violence situation that needs to be addressed.
It will also be hard for adult researchers to find an appropriate role for covert observation because of differences in age and appearance. The youthfulness of some offenders may win the researchers sympathy, which may affect the direction of the study. However, PO has many strengths. It is probably the only way to really find out what happens and why. Interpretivists are interested in exploring the meanings people attach to their
When misconduct or mistakes are made it can have very damaging effects on individuals and their lives, but also to the credibility of the criminal justice system. This can happen and does on occasion (Meyer & Grant, 2003). How can we improve consistency in how prosecutors accept case work? When assessing possible improvements to the consistency of how prosecutors accept case work, there are no simple answers. Putting strict demands on what a prosecutor
However, despite these efforts justice is not always achieved. When using discretion, judges and magistrates attempt to balance the rights of the community with the rights of individuals, both the accused and the victims. However, as discretion relies on the judgment of the judge or magistrate it can often result in tensions and conflict in society. This is common involving sentencing of sexual assault cases demonstrated through the article by the Daily Telegraph headlined, ‘Paedophiles walk as their victims suffer’. The article slams the judiciary and critises their use of discretion in dealing with sex crimes.
Criminal justice professionals play an important role in the court system, and if they lie on accusations and evidence, the innocent become victims of the dishonesty. A second quality that is good to see in the criminal justice professions is to be objective. It is important for our law enforcement and public servants to not let their personal goals, feelings, or prejudice to get in the way of the criminal justice goals. Objectivity ensures that the professionals will make the right choices even when they have reasons that should make them choose otherwise. A simple example of this trait could be a law enforcement officer writing a ticket to someone regardless of the relationship they may or may not have.
Since insanity is defined so arbitrarily, lawyers can protect their clients from their punishments with relative ease by dragging out the legal process for years at a time by using the insanity defense. To be protected with the insanity defense in many states, a criminal must take the M'Naghten test: failure to determine right from wrong deems the criminal insane (Cornell University Law School). Although some argue that people with mental illnesses cannot be held accountable for their actions, the greater concern should be for the overall safety for The United States of America because criminals who plead insanity can be a danger when released, legal definitions of insanity vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, Supreme Court has upheld four states' abolishing of insanity defense, and there is incomplete research on insanity. Shafer !2 Insane criminals who are found not guilty by reason of insanity are sent to mental hospitals to rehabilitate and treat their illness. The problem is that the criminals who are sent to a hospital and become "cured" could be a danger to society.