Page 1 of 106
Criminology Unit 3: AC 3.1 – Full Model
Answer
Q1. In the context of AC 3.1, what does "validity" of
information refer to?
Answer: Validity refers to the overall soundness,
truthfulness, and credibility of the information being
presented, ensuring it is accurate and reliable for legal
proceedings.
Rationale: It is the central concept of the AC. For
information to be used in court, it must be logically and
factually sound, meeting the legal standards of
admissibility, reliability, and credibility.
Q2. What are the three critical requirements evidence must
meet to be considered valid by the Crown Prosecution Service
(CPS)?
,Page 2 of 106
Answer: Admissibility, Reliability, and Credibility.
Rationale: These are the pillars of the Full Code Test.
Admissibility relates to legal rules of evidence (e.g., no
hearsay), reliability ensures the source is trustworthy and
accurate, and credibility means it is believable within the
context of the case.
Q3. What is the difference between reliability and credibility
in evidence?
Answer: Reliability refers to the accuracy, authenticity, and
consistency of the evidence (e.g., a properly calibrated
forensic test). Credibility refers to the believability of the
source based on context and character (e.g., a witness with
no motive to lie).
Rationale: Evidence can be reliable (true) but not credible
(unlikely), and vice versa. Both must be present for full
validity.
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Q4. Which agency is responsible for vetting evidence before it
reaches court in England and Wales?
Answer: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Rationale: The CPS reviews all evidence submitted by the
police against the Full Code Test to determine if there is a
realistic prospect of conviction and if it is in the public
interest to proceed.
Q5. What are the five key factors used to scrutinize the
validity of a source?
Answer: Bias, Accuracy, Currency, Opinion, and
Circumstances.
Rationale: These factors provide a framework for critical
analysis. Bias checks for subjectivity, accuracy for truth,
currency for timeliness, opinion for expertise, and
circumstances for context.
, Page 4 of 106
Q6. How does the "circumstance" factor affect the validity of
evidence?
Answer: It refers to the context in which evidence was
gathered, recorded, or examined. If circumstances were
chaotic, controlled, or tainted, the validity of the information
changes.
Rationale: For example, DNA collected 6 weeks after a
crime (late) is less valid than DNA collected immediately
due to the risk of contamination.
Q7. Why is the "currency" of evidence a crucial factor for
validity?
Answer: Currency refers to how up-to-date the information
is. Outdated scientific methods or testimony based on old
memories may be inaccurate.
Rationale: In the case of Amanda Knox, DNA collected from
a bra clasp six weeks post-murder was argued to lack
Criminology Unit 3: AC 3.1 – Full Model
Answer
Q1. In the context of AC 3.1, what does "validity" of
information refer to?
Answer: Validity refers to the overall soundness,
truthfulness, and credibility of the information being
presented, ensuring it is accurate and reliable for legal
proceedings.
Rationale: It is the central concept of the AC. For
information to be used in court, it must be logically and
factually sound, meeting the legal standards of
admissibility, reliability, and credibility.
Q2. What are the three critical requirements evidence must
meet to be considered valid by the Crown Prosecution Service
(CPS)?
,Page 2 of 106
Answer: Admissibility, Reliability, and Credibility.
Rationale: These are the pillars of the Full Code Test.
Admissibility relates to legal rules of evidence (e.g., no
hearsay), reliability ensures the source is trustworthy and
accurate, and credibility means it is believable within the
context of the case.
Q3. What is the difference between reliability and credibility
in evidence?
Answer: Reliability refers to the accuracy, authenticity, and
consistency of the evidence (e.g., a properly calibrated
forensic test). Credibility refers to the believability of the
source based on context and character (e.g., a witness with
no motive to lie).
Rationale: Evidence can be reliable (true) but not credible
(unlikely), and vice versa. Both must be present for full
validity.
,Page 3 of 106
Q4. Which agency is responsible for vetting evidence before it
reaches court in England and Wales?
Answer: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Rationale: The CPS reviews all evidence submitted by the
police against the Full Code Test to determine if there is a
realistic prospect of conviction and if it is in the public
interest to proceed.
Q5. What are the five key factors used to scrutinize the
validity of a source?
Answer: Bias, Accuracy, Currency, Opinion, and
Circumstances.
Rationale: These factors provide a framework for critical
analysis. Bias checks for subjectivity, accuracy for truth,
currency for timeliness, opinion for expertise, and
circumstances for context.
, Page 4 of 106
Q6. How does the "circumstance" factor affect the validity of
evidence?
Answer: It refers to the context in which evidence was
gathered, recorded, or examined. If circumstances were
chaotic, controlled, or tainted, the validity of the information
changes.
Rationale: For example, DNA collected 6 weeks after a
crime (late) is less valid than DNA collected immediately
due to the risk of contamination.
Q7. Why is the "currency" of evidence a crucial factor for
validity?
Answer: Currency refers to how up-to-date the information
is. Outdated scientific methods or testimony based on old
memories may be inaccurate.
Rationale: In the case of Amanda Knox, DNA collected from
a bra clasp six weeks post-murder was argued to lack
