Few contemporary data support the assertion that eyewitnesses are important in police investigations. In present study, 159 UK officers were surveyed regarding their perceptions of and eyewitness performance. The respondents indicated usually provide central leads criminal investigations; however, also believed rarely sufficient information, especially descriptive details as opposed to action details. Nevertheless, incorrect. A sizable minority reported witnesses come forward those who do...

Abstract The cognitive interview has been shown to have the potential enhance witness recall. Consequently, it adopted by all police forces in England and Wales. present paper surveyed 96 officers trained 65 untrained officers, using a questionnaire. Officers rated how frequently they used useful found components of interview. Trained were significantly more likely use instructions mentally reinstate context, different orders, change perspectives imagery. Amongst there was consensus that...

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine if outcome bias and hindsight impact police performance ratings perceptions the likelihood foreseeability intimate partner homicides. In addition, authors wished see taking perspective mitigates any effects. Design/methodology/approach A total 200 university students read vignettes describing an incident from a officer’s or their own perspective. Participants also risk assessments offender’s committing violence. They were randomly assigned...

Purpose. To identify the ways in which witnesses with and without intellectual disabilities are examined court. Specifically to what questions asked influence they have. Methods. Court transcripts were obtained for 16 rape, sexual assault or trials involving matched cases from general population. The assessed systematically concerning questioning strategies of lawyers those on witness responses. Results. Questioning was almost identical that population indicating not altering their behaviour...

Abstract The purpose of this study is to explore sex offenders' perceptions how the police should interview suspected offenders facilitate confessions, and investigate whether there a relationship between interviewed them their decisions confess or deny. Forty-three convicted were using two 35-item questionnaires that contained five questions on each seven interviewing strategies. An additional 20 violent included for comparison purposes. strategies evidence presenting strategies, ethical...

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.

This article explores theories of radicalization by analysing the 21 individuals convicted to date under Australian anti-terrorism laws. All are citizens and so discussed with reference literature on home-grown terrorists. Open source data in form media law reports were collected analysed for descriptive features their involvement terrorism-related activities. Themes consistent elements process models found, particularly identity issues, ideology, capability group dynamics. The relation...

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...

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...

Abstract The current study aimed to identify the skills and abilities required by an analyst be recognised as effective. Thirty subject matter experts (SMEs) were engaged using Repertory Grid Technique (RGT) explore specific of crime intelligence analysts that result in them being deemed Semi-structured interviews Critical Incident (CIT) conducted strengthen these findings. Three clusters variables identified indicate effective analyst; they would have could contribute development...

This paper is a post-hoc examination of the questioning used in six rape trials. Questions asked evidence-in-chief and cross-examination complainants five defendants were coded into different categories. The categories comprised "open", "closed", "leading", "heavily-leading" "yes/no" questions; questions that are known to increasingly constrain witness responses. Additionally, frequency "multiple questions", with "negatives" "double negatives" recorded; witnesses have difficulty...

Research indicates that the confidence eyewitnesses express in information heavily influences both investigative process and credence which jurors give to eyewitness testimony. However, studies this area suggest there is either no relationship or only a small positive between accuracy. Nevertheless, it argued here researchers may have paid insufficient attention issue of item difficulty, used statistical procedures fail consider highly accurate responses with low variance. In an attempt...

Abstract Although researchers have investigated factors that may influence the information eyewitnesses provide, little attempt has been made to relate an eyewitness provides police require. Therefore, be evaluating performance simplistically. In this article, argument investigating should consider requirements when quality of provide is asserted. These are (a) discover whether a crime committed and if so, what crime; (b) find evidence identify individual responsible; (c) produce prevents...

Purpose. Little research has been conducted on the effects of courtroom examination/questioning styles witness confidence and accuracy. Two studies were therefore conducted, one investigating examination style accuracy, other observers/jurors perceptions Method. In Study 1, after observing a video event, 60 witnesses individually interviewed about event according to three conditions: (1) simple questioning style, (2) lawyerese (containing leading suppositional phrases), (3) with negative...

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...

A self-report instrument was created to measure stress, attitudes, and performance of domestic family violence (DFV) first responders in an Australian state. DFV-related stress negatively impacted officers' attitudes self-assessed performance. Higher DFV predicted by the frequency severity incidents, absence lived experience. Negative were a shorter length service lower severity, poorer longer perceived social support. Males reported higher than females. The findings reveal systemic issues...

The present study investigated the effect on witness confidence and accuracy of confusing questions often used by attorneys in court. Participants viewed a videotaped film were individually questioned about incident 1 week later. Half participants asked using six categories (negatives, double negatives, leading, multiple questions, complex syntax, vocabulary); remaining half for same information simply phrased equivalents. Confusing reduced participant-witnesses' suppressed...

Abstract Forty-three convicted sex offenders read each of four different offence vignettes that involved a man forcing female victim into and the offender's subsequent police interview. The experimental manipulation giving participants scenarios concerning how interviewed offender. These were interviews characterized by humanity, dominance, displaying an understanding offenders' cognitive distortions, or neutral, control Participants required to rate on variety dimensions, such as likelihood...

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...