Summary WJEC criminology unit 3 - crime scene to courtroom AC2.4
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Course
Crime Scene to Courtroom (4543U3)
Institution
WJEC
Book
Criminology Book Two
This document includes notes and information about AC2.4 within unit 3 criminology that allowed me to achieve an A grade. Here you will find information about how: evidence, witnesses, experts, judiciary, media, politics, barristers and legal teams affect the outcome of criminal cases.
Criminology Unit 3 - AC2.4 Asses the key influence affecting the outcomes of the criminal cases
Criminology Unit 3 - AC2.5 Discuss the use of lay people
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WJEC
Criminology
Crime Scene to Courtroom (4543U3)
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Criminology unit 3
2.4 – Assess key influences affecting the outcomes of criminal cases
Due to the different types of personnel and information which are used within criminal
cases there are many different factors which could affect the outcome of the case.
Evidence
Evidence is arguably the most important factor within a criminal case, this is because before
a suspect is charged and a case can even be presented in a court, the CPS must determine if
the evidence provided by police is sufficient. If the CPS decide that there is enough evidence
for a suspect to be convicted, a trial will then be held. A representative from the CPS will
then present evidence to a court against the defendant. The defence team will then cross
examine their evidence, whether it be physical or testimonial and present their own
evidence and challenge the prosecution team. Physical evidence is useful within a criminal
case due to the fact that they can be observed, assessed and supported scientifically, using
physical evidence such as fingerprints and DNA is especially useful as they can be conclusive.
However, physical evidence can also be contaminated due to human error in the analysis
process. Ultimately, at the end of a trial, the magistrate or jury will have to decide if the
defendant is guilty beyond reasonable doubt or innocent. If the defendant is found to be
innocent, they will be acquitted. If they are found to be guilty a sentence will be passed.
An example of when physical evidence was used to convict a suspect is the case of Jeremy
Bamber, who was convicted for the murder of 5 members of his adoptive family in 1985.
This conviction was a result of Bamber’s fingerprints being found on a bible and gun which
he had was found from the victim’s body.
Witnesses
Witnesses may play a big role in affecting the outcome of a criminal case. Both the
prosecution and defence team are allowed to call upon witnesses to provide testimonial
evidence within a case. Testimonial evidence can be provided by individuals who witnessed
the crime unfold, experts or even the victim themselves. In the majority of cases, a witness
must give their evidence in court. However, there are two exceptions to this. Firstly,
vulnerable or intimated witnesses are entitled to special arrangements. Vulnerable
witnesses such as those which are: under 18, a relative to a victim who has died from a
crime, those with mental illness or disability and the victim themselves of a serious crime.
May decide to give evidence by using a pre-recorded statement, video or behind a screen
rather than attending court. This may be done if their identity needs to remain private or if
bringing the witness into a trial may cause trauma. The second exception to this, would be if
the witness’s evidence is agreed upon by both the defence and prosecution. If this were the
case the evidence would be presented to a court through a written statement. Witnesses
can be called by both sides to provide evidence in support or their case, when this occurs its
known as an examination-in-chief. This means that the defence is able to cross examine a
witness to test the validity of their evidence. Evidence provided by witnesses may have a
considerable impact on the outcome of criminal cases. This is because a judge or a jury are
free to give whatever weight they feel appropriate to evidence provided by a witness. It was
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