AC 1.1
Police -
● Police are often the first to arrive and corden off the crime scene after a call to them
has been made.
○ This helps avoid cross contamination of evidence assuring it is all valid within
an investigation.
● Availability -
○ Although there are around 125,000 police officers within the entire UK,
■ compared to the 68 million people that live here the number is
surprisingly low.
● There aren't enough officers to provide for the entire population
to a satisfactory level and numbers keep dropping
○ due to funding cuts
■ which ultimately leads to police prioritisation.
● Cost -
○ The cost of police officers is low due to the low salary they get paid,
£20,880-£24,177.
■ This salary is incredibly low for the dangerous work they do.
● Although,
○ the fact they are fairly cheap helps keep the cost of
investigations lower.
● Expertise -
○ Within the force, there are also separate groups that specialise in certain
areas of the law
■ whether this be a drug squad or underwater search unit.
● Not only does this ensure the work carried out is stronger
○ due to the specialty in knowledge they acquire,
■ it means arguments portrayed to the CPS can
be promoted with a high level of backing
● ensuring more cases get tried and
achieve the correct outcome.
○ However,
■ Police are not always effective within criminal investigations
● as seen within the case of Stephen lawrence.
○ The police force responsible was accused of
institutional racism
■ as witnesses were treated like criminals
● improper medical attention was given to
the victim
○ before he was announced dead.
● Changes to the law were made after the Macpherson report,
○ within which 70 recommendations were made
■ to improve the work the force carries out
Crime Scene Investigators
● Crime Scene Investigators collect and process information
○ from the crime scene as well as from post mortems.
■ If this is not carried out following correct procedures,
, ● evidence will be made inadmissible
○ could lead to a miscarriage of justice.
● Availability -
○ As of 2005 there were only 3400 CSIs in the entire United Kingdom.
■ This isn't best for an investigation
● as they may be required to travel a long distance to reach the
crime scene
○ which could prolong the whole incident.
■ Although they are specialised in what they do,
● they are not as commonly needed
○ which could explain why there
are such small numbers.
● Cost -
○ They are also required to be available out of hours
■ meaning long shifts and long travel times,
● this not only questions whether the mere £17,000 they are paid
yearly is enough for the work they do
○ but also suggests there is a severe lack of numbers.
■ Although they are cheap within the
investigation,
● the salary they are paid struggles to
make up for the trauma and
accountability they have within an
investigation.
● Expertise -
○ the job role requires specific degrees and key scientific training
■ suggesting the wage is not satisfactory enough to make up for the
cost of getting such degrees
● (eg- through university).
○ However,
■ CSIs aren't always beneficial to the
investigation.
○ In the case of Amanda Knox,
■ the small Italian police force wasnt specialised in murder
investigations
● therefore “made a series of glaring errors during the
investigation”.
○ They not only failed to wear the proper protective
clothing
■ but evidence was found to be unsound
● due to unreliable tests
○ some was even collected as late
as six weeks
■ after the murder took
place.
■ Samples that were taken
● were sometimes too small
Police -
● Police are often the first to arrive and corden off the crime scene after a call to them
has been made.
○ This helps avoid cross contamination of evidence assuring it is all valid within
an investigation.
● Availability -
○ Although there are around 125,000 police officers within the entire UK,
■ compared to the 68 million people that live here the number is
surprisingly low.
● There aren't enough officers to provide for the entire population
to a satisfactory level and numbers keep dropping
○ due to funding cuts
■ which ultimately leads to police prioritisation.
● Cost -
○ The cost of police officers is low due to the low salary they get paid,
£20,880-£24,177.
■ This salary is incredibly low for the dangerous work they do.
● Although,
○ the fact they are fairly cheap helps keep the cost of
investigations lower.
● Expertise -
○ Within the force, there are also separate groups that specialise in certain
areas of the law
■ whether this be a drug squad or underwater search unit.
● Not only does this ensure the work carried out is stronger
○ due to the specialty in knowledge they acquire,
■ it means arguments portrayed to the CPS can
be promoted with a high level of backing
● ensuring more cases get tried and
achieve the correct outcome.
○ However,
■ Police are not always effective within criminal investigations
● as seen within the case of Stephen lawrence.
○ The police force responsible was accused of
institutional racism
■ as witnesses were treated like criminals
● improper medical attention was given to
the victim
○ before he was announced dead.
● Changes to the law were made after the Macpherson report,
○ within which 70 recommendations were made
■ to improve the work the force carries out
Crime Scene Investigators
● Crime Scene Investigators collect and process information
○ from the crime scene as well as from post mortems.
■ If this is not carried out following correct procedures,
, ● evidence will be made inadmissible
○ could lead to a miscarriage of justice.
● Availability -
○ As of 2005 there were only 3400 CSIs in the entire United Kingdom.
■ This isn't best for an investigation
● as they may be required to travel a long distance to reach the
crime scene
○ which could prolong the whole incident.
■ Although they are specialised in what they do,
● they are not as commonly needed
○ which could explain why there
are such small numbers.
● Cost -
○ They are also required to be available out of hours
■ meaning long shifts and long travel times,
● this not only questions whether the mere £17,000 they are paid
yearly is enough for the work they do
○ but also suggests there is a severe lack of numbers.
■ Although they are cheap within the
investigation,
● the salary they are paid struggles to
make up for the trauma and
accountability they have within an
investigation.
● Expertise -
○ the job role requires specific degrees and key scientific training
■ suggesting the wage is not satisfactory enough to make up for the
cost of getting such degrees
● (eg- through university).
○ However,
■ CSIs aren't always beneficial to the
investigation.
○ In the case of Amanda Knox,
■ the small Italian police force wasnt specialised in murder
investigations
● therefore “made a series of glaring errors during the
investigation”.
○ They not only failed to wear the proper protective
clothing
■ but evidence was found to be unsound
● due to unreliable tests
○ some was even collected as late
as six weeks
■ after the murder took
place.
■ Samples that were taken
● were sometimes too small
