AC1.1 : evaluate the effectiveness of the roles of personnel involved in criminal
investigations.
There are several personnel involved in investigating a crime case . Each of them are experts in
various areas . The key personnel are :
● Police
● Crime scene investigators
● Forensics scientist
● Forensic pathologist
● Crown prosecution service
Police officers:
They are trained professionals who are usually the first person to arrive at a crime and their task
is to secure the area in effort to protect any potential evidence. Their top priority is to protect
human life . Aim to reduce crime and the fear of it
Strength of police officer :
● Have specialised units within the police force such as CID (crime investigation
department ) which focuses on dealing with a variety of different crimes.
● Each department receives specialised training eg underwater training , increasing
efficiency when dealing with crime and ensuring evidence is not tainted
● 24 hours service - police officers can always arrive as soon as possible increasing
chance of protecting evidence and area
●
Weaknesses:
● High expenses of funding
● fewer officers being trained this could result in police officer not effectively securing the
scene and evidence being contaminated
Case study : Stephen Lawrence
Stephen lawrance was a 18 year old black teenage boy who was stabbed to death by a gang of
white youths while waiting for the bus on April 22 1993 . The Macpherson Police report (1999),
said the police had institutional racism and made 70 recommendations to improve the service.
For example the police neglected to provide first assistance to Stephen when they arrived at the
crime site, violating their primary obligation to protect life.
Crime scene investigator: (SOCOS)
Attend crime scenes to record and examine evidence and the evidence they discover is then
used to investigate crimes. They preserve and protect a crime scene to avoid evidence being
contaminated or disturbed ; searching an area for footwear marks, taking photos and collecting
video footage , and taking samples of saliva from people for DNA testing. Examining for trace
,evidence such as hair, fibres and blood. Preparing statements of evidence. Attending court with
the exhibits collected during the course of an enquiry.
Strengths:
● Uncover valuable evidence which can be used to convict criminals.
● Play an important role in protecting the public.
● Can uncover patterns in crimes to identify serial offenders or protect potential victims.
● Operate on an on call system so they are always available to assist in criminal
investigations.
Weakness:
● Crime scene investigators may be exposed to hazardous substances in their role such
as contaminants to the skin or airborne substances that could enter the mouth.
● failure to collect evidence correctly and process evidence from crime scene can result in
contamination and justice not being served
● Work is emotionally draining
● Harder for them to reach urban areas which increase the risk of evidence being
contaminated
● Frequently arrive late to site of crime and result in overlooking important evidence
Case study: Amanda Knox's
In the murder of Meredith Kercher Amanda Knox was tried however detectives wore shoe
covers outside of the house while others failed to have any protective clothing on inside the
house. This was used in court to suggest that the evidence collected was unreliable
Forensic science:
Forensic science examines samples such as hair, bodily fluids, fibres from clothing and tyre
marks. They use methods like gas and high-performance liquid chromatography. At crime
scenes,they make notes and gather traces of evidence. Forensic science also communicates
with groups and plans with outside organisations, like the police. They examine and interpret
data from computers as well as results. present their research's findings either orally or in
writing. In courtroom cross-examination, they defend conclusions.
Strengths:
● identify small traces of material to uncover details of a crime
● Have many specialist areas of forensic science such as toxicology (drugs), dentistry,
psychology, and fire.
Weakness :
● Expensive - around £20,000 to £35,000 a year
● Some people believe that DNA analysis of a person can be against human ethics as it
reveals private information.
, ● Time consuming
● If care and attention is not taken,miscarriages of justice can occur.
● DNA everywhere we go so findings from forensic scientists may not always be valid
Forensic pathologist:
The tissue of those who passed away suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently is examined by these
pathologists. They work for the home office. Forensic pathologists are doctors who specialise in
forensic pathology assistant coroners and police in cases of murder and other suspicious
deaths. They conduct autopsies to ascertain the cause of death. In addition to overseeing the
operation of the pathology laboratory and those who work there, they provide law enforcement
agencies with expert advice. Additionally, pathologists are in charge of overseeing a crime
scene and the process of gathering evidence there.They attend inquests and provide
knowledgeable counsel to both juries and counsel, deciphering and making understandable
complex medical jargon.
Strengths:
● Provide clues for other roles within the investigation.
● Well qualified practitioners with specialised knowledge such as crime scene evaluation,
anatomy and anthropology (study of human behaviour.)
Limitations:
● Very limited in numbers and might have to work on several cases at one time
● The cost for a pathologist is very high. In the public sector a consultant can earn
£100,000 per year and potentially more within the private sector.
●
Case study: Anthony Hardy
Despite the fact that the victim's body was found in a locked room in Hardy's apartment that was
locked from the outside, pathologist Freddy Patel determined she had died naturally. Her
clothing, the bedding, and the walls all bore evidence of blood. Hardy continued to murder 2
more women while the police were unable to find a crime to look into. Patel was fired from his
position after he was later found guilty of killing all three women.
Crown prosecution service:
In England and Wales, criminal cases that have been the subject of police and other
investigative organisations' inquiries are charged and prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution
Service. Due to its independence, the CPS makes decisions without consulting the government
or the police. They make sure the appropriate person is charged. In addition to reviewing cases
with the police to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to bring charges, CPS must
also determine whether doing so is in the best interests of the community. In their inquiries and
in determining whether or not there might be a criminal charge, they offer advice to the police.
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