Essay
Criminology Unit 3 (AC1.2) Example answer
- Module
- Crime Scene to Courtroom
- Institution
- WJEC
This is an example answer on the whole of AC1.2, it includes information on: Profiling, forensics, surveillance, databases & interviews.
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By: mariuscaraman56 • 5 months ago
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AC.1.2 Asses the usefulness of investigative techniques in criminal investigations (20)The first investigative technique is Intelligence databases, which are used to store confidential
information. There is 4 different police databases that can help in criminal investigations. The UK
national DNA database is where genetic information, such as fingerprints, blood and semen from suspects
and victims is stored. Police National Computer (PNC) stores information on people's crimes and where
they live/what properties they own. CRIMINT, is run by the metropolitan police in greater London, it
mostly stores information on gang activity, but also criminals, suspects and protestors. Interpol databases
consist of child sexual exploitation information, DNA and thefts, stolen property etc. An advantage of
intelligence databases is they make it quick to access information, which is especially vital in time-
sensitive cases. A disadvantage of Intelligence databases is it could be argued it is an invasion of privacy.
In 2017 the names and addresses of 203 suspected gang members were sent in an email between
professionals, however the email was leaked leading to rival gangs accessing the information and
targeting the suspected gang members, as they knew their addresses. This mistake with confidential
information led to serious violence and ultimately more problems for the police. Storing lots of private
information in one place makes it easier for hackers to access lots of information at once, which could
make the public feel unsafe. Another disadvantage of intelligence databases is they have been racially
discriminatory. In 2021 it was found over 1000 black men were on the gang's matrix CRIMINT system
even though there was no evidence they were involved in any sort of crime. This racial discrimination
could lead to false convictions and innocent members of the public being targeted, as their information
was possibly leaked. Intelligence databases are useful for crimes, such as driving offences, as their
registration can be stored on the system, it is also useful for when DNA is left at a crime scene, as the
DNA can be matched with someone if their DNA is already in the system, which can lead to finding the
suspect much faster. Databases can also allow police to find people with previous convictions who live
near a crime scene, who could potentially be a suspect in a current case.
Evidence found at a crime scene, from a victim or from a suspect is tested, this is forensics. Forensic
evidence is some of the strongest evidence in court, it can be fingerprints, blood, semen or any bodily
fluids. Experts analyse forensic evidence, which consists of DNA that tells us the genetic information of
an individual. All DNA is stored on the UK national DNA database, this allows the police to enter DNA
from a crime scene into the system and match with the offender if they have a previous conviction. An
advantage of forensics is everyone's DNA is unique, so the chances of a miscarriage of justice is much
lower, for example Colin Pitchfork, who was arrested for raping and killing two girls. His DNA was
matched to the DNA found at the crime scene, this is an advantage, as it allows police to identify exactly
who was present at the scene, making the investigation quicker. A disadvantage of forensics is wrongful
convictions can still occur, as DNA is easily transferable. This is clear in the case of David Butler who
was wrongfully convicted of murdering Anne-Marie Foy based on DNA evidence, his DNA was already
on the police database after he broke into his mum's house in 1998. Butler suffered from a dry skin
condition making him much more likely to spread DNA, so it's possible his DNA got onto Foy without
them even having direct contact. This is a disadvantage, as miscarriages of justice can still occur.
Forensics are very useful in burglaries, sexual offences and murders, as DNA is spread more.
Surveillance is an investigative technique used in lots of types of investigations. There are many types of
surveillance including CHISs or covert officers, where those being observed are unaware that they are
being watched, as a police officer is disguised, working as an informant. Overt observations are when
those being watched are aware of the fact. Another technique is CCTV, which is video footage recorded
on a set of monitors that can be looked at by police during an investigation. ANPR is a recording device
that takes an image of a vehicle, to help police identify if a vehicle is stolen etc. The final technique is
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