As part of their duties, police regularly engage with citizens, which can result in the use force. While we know how often and under what circumstances officers force, little is known about officers’ decision-making processes that lead to The study took a naturalistic approach analyze debrief sessions between 91 recruits trainers after partaking use-of-force assessment scenario. Results show recruit’s decision making was more aligned an intuitive style rather than analytical style. Recruits...

Despite widespread reforms to legislation and policy, rape complainants still find cross-examination distressing, demeaning humiliating. We conducted a systematic holistic examination of strategies discern: (1) the range tactics that defence lawyers use challenge complainants’ accounts; (2) whether—and if so, how—the approaches used currently differ from those prior reforms. compared in cases were prosecuted 1950s turn twenty-first century. Although contemporary subjected lengthier...

This study examined variations of police use force by applying Terrill et al.'s [(2003). A management tool for evaluating force: an application the factor. Police quarterly, 6 (2), 150–171] adaptation Alpert and Dunham's [(1997). The factor: measuring relative to suspect resistance. Washington, DC: Executive Research Forum] Force Factor method (where level is explored resistance) via Resistance Comparative Scale. Using official data from Queensland Service in Australia, this 202...

Achieving just outcomes in rape cases is difficult, but there are ways we can improve the investigation and prosecution of these crimes, now. We outline how targeting variables, within control criminal justice system, quality information police obtain from interviews with complainants suspects. explore how, by preserving accounts on video, process better use this to effective decision making through trial prevention.

The characteristics that detectives believe are required to be an 'effective detective' were explored in this study. A Repertory Grid Technique and Critical Incident used explore detail the views of experienced (N = 30) from five different police services Australia New Zealand about what makes effective detective. findings suggest hold a complex challenging role requires 11 key skills. By far, most important factor was communication skills, particularly how communicate effectively with...

AbstractLimited evidence in domestic violence prosecutions is a persistent problem. Focus groups with 13 prosecutors from across Australia and New Zealand were used to explore how improve the quality of collected presented these cases. A thematic analysis identified three main strategies: improving investigations by initial police responders, supporting complainant tailoring trial process context. The most discussed strategy within categories has previously received little attention– video...

Abstract This study explored police perceptions of video recording rape complainant interviews for investigative and evidential purposes. Officers ( N = 136) rated the accuracy one three mock transcripts a interview: A ‘standard interview’ containing inappropriately closed leading questions; ‘structured with open appropriately questions ‘cognitive (CI) CI mnemonics. Officers' in standard condition as less accurate that they were likely to proceed charges than structured conditions. cited...

Police officers are increasingly called upon to explain and defend their behaviour towards citizens, particularly where force is used. While there a well-established body of research on factors that associated with the use police force, little known about whether actually considering these when making decisions. This study takes naturalistic decision-making approach examine decisions in interactive dynamic environment scenario-based training. It one first studies explore range assess,...

Abstract This study used a mixed methods design to explore prosecutor perceptions (N=30) of using video-recorded investigative interviews adult rape complainants as their evidence in court. Prosecutors first rated 'mock' transcript excerpts from complainant interview where questions were either (1) inappropriately closed and leading or (2) appropriately open. Complainants' responses less accurate prosecutors reported that they would be likely recommend charges the inappropriate compared with...

Policing is one of the most dangerous occupations and consistently placed in top five for injuries fatalities as a result occupational violence [Prenzler, T. (2012). security practice: challenges achievements. New York: Palgrave Macmillan]. Police–citizen encounters that involve use force present high risk to officers. This study used official data from an Australian jurisdiction explore sustained by officers 202 police–citizen involving force. The examined situation, suspect, officer...

Policing organisations across the developed world increasingly need language interpreters to communicate with non-native speaking people. Little research has investigated police perceptions of using interpreter services, despite their growing need, documented concerns and lack a widely accepted best practice. A survey 413 officers interpreted interviews in Australia assessed those interviews. Interviews carried out by included higher number suspect via telephone interpreters. Cases more...

This study explored the perceptions of ten Crown Prosecutors about utility police interviews as video evidence-in-chief for adult sexual assault complainants to determine how improve these interviews. A themed analysis prosecutors' responses indicated three major concerns interviews: interviewer using wordy instructions, lack chronology and logical structure, relentless pursuit unnecessary detail. These findings suggest that are primarily due cognitive interview methods attempt enhance...

Purpose Legislation in many developed nations allows for the video‐recorded interview of a witness made during investigation to be used as his or her evidence‐in‐chief at trial. The purpose this paper is discuss challenges criminal justice system trying make one meet both investigative and evidential purposes. Design/methodology/approach Advances effective police interviewing strategies are outlined evaluated with regards implications presenting evidence elicited manner court. Findings As...

Recent decades have seen an explosion of research into children’s eyewitness capabilities and resulted in legal reform to render the adversarial trial process more child friendly. Many, however, been left with feeling that most intimidating for complainants—cross-examination—has not changed meaningfully despite its potential distort evidence. To test this possibility, we compared cross-examination questioning Australian sexual abuse complainants 1950s used contemporary cases. We found format...

Summary Four studies investigated lawyers' concerns that the narrative style of police interviews with adult rape complainants reduces impact this interview as video evidence. Study 1 (N = 96) compared mock juror perceptions simulated evidence‐in‐chief either in traditional short‐answer or and found testimony was not a predictor complainant credibility. Studies 2 104), 3 102) 4 examined different variables change style—the number questions asked, overall length response length. The asked...

Because most cases of alleged sexual assault involve few sources evidence, the complainant’s testimony is crucial. In line with empirical research findings, way in which police question complainants has evolved to ultimately maximise both completeness and accuracy evidence. But courtroom questioning changed over time? To answer this question, we compared 1950s that used from turn twenty-first century. Overall, lawyers contemporary asked more questions uttered words than they did...

This study explored the challenges to ensuring that detectives are effective in future. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 experienced from five different police services Australia and New Zealand. A content analysis of identified four main for future – retention recruitment detectives; rapid growth technology; training ongoing professional development; accountability. The implications these findings having an efficient detective workforce developing practice-relevant research...

A key cross-examination tactic in trials of child sexual abuse (CSA) is to highlight inconsistencies between sources information discredit the complainant's account. The present study examined prevalence, origin and nature arising complainants CSA trials. Further, we association these types question that elicited them earlier police interview witness (i.e. open-ended, specific, or leading). Transcripts videorecorded interviews (evidence-in-chief) 73 (15 males, 58 females) subsequent...