WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Criminology
Unit 3, AC: 2.4
Model Write-up
Mark: 9/10
AC 2.4: Assess key influences affecting the outcomes of criminal cases
What you need to do:
- 10 marks
- Pick 4 influences out of the following:
1) Evidence
2) Witnesses
3) Experts
4) Barristers & legal teams
5) Judiciary
6) Politics
7) The media
- Must have at least one case for each influence (ideally more than one) - could use
the brief as a case here if relevant
1) Evidence
The core of the criminal justice process revolves around the presence of evidence. In order
to reach a verdict, the jury or magistrates must carefully consider all the physical and
testimonial evidence presented in court, excluding any other factors. Prior to a trial, the
police or investigators must gather sufficient evidence to convince the Crown Prosecution
Service (CPS) that there is a valid case against the suspect, and the CPS must have
confidence in the likelihood of a successful prosecution. This means they must believe that
the chances of securing a conviction are higher than not. Once the case proceeds to court,
the prosecution will present their evidence and arguments against the defendant, while the
defence will challenge the prosecution's case by cross-examining their witnesses and
presenting their own evidence. By the end of the trial, the prosecution must have persuaded
the jury or magistrates that the accused is guilty "beyond reasonable doubt" on all aspects of
the charge. If they fail to do so, the defendant must be acquitted. A notable example of a
wrongful conviction is the case of Archie Williams in 1982, where he was wrongly found
guilty of raping and stabbing a white woman. This conviction was primarily influenced by
eyewitness misidentification, false confessions, and racial bias. However, new evidence
emerged that altered the outcome of the trial, proving that Williams was wrongfully arrested.
The FBI's national fingerprint database was searched, linking the fingerprints found at the
crime scene to the actual perpetrator, who had committed at least five other rapes in the
years following the 1982 incident.
Unit 3, AC: 2.4
Model Write-up
Mark: 9/10
AC 2.4: Assess key influences affecting the outcomes of criminal cases
What you need to do:
- 10 marks
- Pick 4 influences out of the following:
1) Evidence
2) Witnesses
3) Experts
4) Barristers & legal teams
5) Judiciary
6) Politics
7) The media
- Must have at least one case for each influence (ideally more than one) - could use
the brief as a case here if relevant
1) Evidence
The core of the criminal justice process revolves around the presence of evidence. In order
to reach a verdict, the jury or magistrates must carefully consider all the physical and
testimonial evidence presented in court, excluding any other factors. Prior to a trial, the
police or investigators must gather sufficient evidence to convince the Crown Prosecution
Service (CPS) that there is a valid case against the suspect, and the CPS must have
confidence in the likelihood of a successful prosecution. This means they must believe that
the chances of securing a conviction are higher than not. Once the case proceeds to court,
the prosecution will present their evidence and arguments against the defendant, while the
defence will challenge the prosecution's case by cross-examining their witnesses and
presenting their own evidence. By the end of the trial, the prosecution must have persuaded
the jury or magistrates that the accused is guilty "beyond reasonable doubt" on all aspects of
the charge. If they fail to do so, the defendant must be acquitted. A notable example of a
wrongful conviction is the case of Archie Williams in 1982, where he was wrongly found
guilty of raping and stabbing a white woman. This conviction was primarily influenced by
eyewitness misidentification, false confessions, and racial bias. However, new evidence
emerged that altered the outcome of the trial, proving that Williams was wrongfully arrested.
The FBI's national fingerprint database was searched, linking the fingerprints found at the
crime scene to the actual perpetrator, who had committed at least five other rapes in the
years following the 1982 incident.
