FORENSIC EVIDENCE AND CASE ATTRITION IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Keywords:
Forensics, Legal evidence, Attrition, Criminal Justice SystemAbstract
It is well established that the forensic evidence presence in the Criminal Justice System brings complex questions regarding its collection, impact on legal outcomes, and interpretation by forensic specialists and judges. Primary aim of this paper is to discover how cases with forensic evidence proceed through the criminal process. Illustrating forensic evidence presence and the attrition process, we were able to highlight potential differences between subgroups in this interdisciplinary community (law enforcement, forensic specialists, and court members). Deficient funding and research opportunities in correlation with a lack of engagement with new technologies, absence of sufficient databases are main issues while trying to establish contribution of forensic evidence in legal outcomes. By bringing scientists, the judge members, police and forensic science practitioners together, we are creating bright-spots of activity in an effort to properly address the issues as a community.
References
Briody, M. (2002-03). The effects of DNA evidence on sexual offence cases in court. Current Issues in Criminal Justice 14 (2), 159-181.
Burrows, J., Hopkins, M., Hubbard, R., Robinson, A., Speed, M., & Tilley, N. (2005). Understanding the attrition process in volume crime investigations. London: Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate.
Burton, M., McLeod, R., de Guzmán, V., Evans, R., Lambert, H., & Cass, G. (2012). Understanding the progression of serious cases through the Criminal Justice System Evidence drawn from a selection of casefiles. Ministry of Justice.
Daeid, N. N., Cole, C., & Marra, M. (2019, May 3). Lords inquiry says forensic science is broken: here’s how we can start to fix it. Retrieved May 6, 2019 from https://theconversation.com/lords-inquiry-says-forensic-science-is-broken-heres-how-we-can-start-to-fix-it-116456
Fisher, B. A. (2016). Moving Toward New Requirements for the Admissibility of Evidence. Forensic Science Policy & Management: An International Journal, 51-53.
Haesler, A. (2006). Dealing with DNA in court: Its use and misuse. Judical Review, 121-144.
Hester, M. (2005). Making it through the Criminal Justice System: Attrition and Domestic Violence. Socila Policy & Society volume 5, 79-90.
Home Office (2016). Forensic Science Strategy : A national approach to forensic science delivery in the Forensic science strategy: a national approach to forensic science delivery in the criminal justice system. London: H M Government.
Ivanović, A. R., & Ivanović, A. B. (2013). Forenzička akreditacija – pouzdan način dokazivanja / Forensic accreditation – a sure way of proving. Zbornik radova: VII naučna konferencija sa međunarodnim učešćem – Kriminalistički i krivično-procesni aspekti dokaza i dokazivanja (pp. 352-364). Sarajevo: Internacionalna asocijacija kriminalista.
Julian, R., Kelty, S., Roux, C., Woodman, P., Robertson, J., & Davey, A. (2011). What is the value of forensic science? An overview of the effectiveness of forensic science in the Australian criminal justice system project. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences 43 (4), 217-229.
Leane, M., Ryan, S., Fennell, C., & Egan, E. (2001). Attrition in Sexual Assault Offence Cases In Ireland: A Qualitative Analysis. Dublin: Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Lievore, D. (2004). Prosecutorial decisions in adult sexual assault cases: An Australian study. Canberra: ACT: Australian Institute of Criminology.
Lovett, J., & Kelly, L. (2009). Different systems, similar outcomes? Tracking attrition in reported rape cases across Europe. London: Child and Women Abuse Studies Unit, London Metropolitan University.
National Academy of Sciences (2009). Strengthening forensic science in the United States: A path forward. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences .
Nuffield Council on Bioethics, N. C. (2007). The Forensic Use of Bioinformation: Ethical Issues. London.
Peterson, J. L. (1974). The Utilization of Criminalistics Services by the Police: an analysis of the physical evidence recovery process. Wachington DC: US Department of Justice.
