Unit 3 AC1.3- Explain how evidence is processed
● 30 minutes total
● Include case examples, explain the evidence used and the issues surrounding it
Testimonial Evidence
Collection:
● Has to be disclosed to other side of the case
● Interviews/cognitive interviews for witnesses
● Eyewitness testimony- people giving accounts of the events they witnessed
● Expert witnesses- crucial in gaining specialised knowledge to help with evidence
● Suspect interviews- a suspect's account or recollection of events
● Cognitive interviews- has 4 stages of questioning, this helps eyewitnesses recall the events better and
more accurately
Transfer:
● Witness statements are recorded on MG11 tapes/recordings
● Given to the prosecution or defence in order to build a case
● Can also be given to the CPS so they can decide whether its enough to proceed with the case
Storage:
● Can be stored on file paper
● Usually stored electronically at a police station- this makes it easier to access
Analysis:
● Cross examination- questions witnesses so they can uncover information that may have previously
been hidden
● Clarify any unclear parts of the statement and expose any weaknesses or gaps
Personnel:
● Barristers
● Solicitors
● Police
● CPS
● Experts eg: forensic specialists
Case study- explain the issues when processing testimonial evidence
● Sally Clark was charged with the murder of her two infants after they both died soon after their birth
● The prosecution believed she had strangled them due to stress of being a mother though this was not
the case
● Two key expert witnesses played a role in her wrongful conviction:
○ Roy Meadows was a statistician who said the chance of both infants suddenly dying was 1 in
73 million, although later found this was inaccurate and therefore testimonial evidence was
flawed
○ Alan Williams was the pathologist who looked at the bodies after the children died, in his
statement however he did not disclose information that the second child may have suffered
from a bacterial infection which likely caused his death- testimonial evidence was flawed
● 30 minutes total
● Include case examples, explain the evidence used and the issues surrounding it
Testimonial Evidence
Collection:
● Has to be disclosed to other side of the case
● Interviews/cognitive interviews for witnesses
● Eyewitness testimony- people giving accounts of the events they witnessed
● Expert witnesses- crucial in gaining specialised knowledge to help with evidence
● Suspect interviews- a suspect's account or recollection of events
● Cognitive interviews- has 4 stages of questioning, this helps eyewitnesses recall the events better and
more accurately
Transfer:
● Witness statements are recorded on MG11 tapes/recordings
● Given to the prosecution or defence in order to build a case
● Can also be given to the CPS so they can decide whether its enough to proceed with the case
Storage:
● Can be stored on file paper
● Usually stored electronically at a police station- this makes it easier to access
Analysis:
● Cross examination- questions witnesses so they can uncover information that may have previously
been hidden
● Clarify any unclear parts of the statement and expose any weaknesses or gaps
Personnel:
● Barristers
● Solicitors
● Police
● CPS
● Experts eg: forensic specialists
Case study- explain the issues when processing testimonial evidence
● Sally Clark was charged with the murder of her two infants after they both died soon after their birth
● The prosecution believed she had strangled them due to stress of being a mother though this was not
the case
● Two key expert witnesses played a role in her wrongful conviction:
○ Roy Meadows was a statistician who said the chance of both infants suddenly dying was 1 in
73 million, although later found this was inaccurate and therefore testimonial evidence was
flawed
○ Alan Williams was the pathologist who looked at the bodies after the children died, in his
statement however he did not disclose information that the second child may have suffered
from a bacterial infection which likely caused his death- testimonial evidence was flawed
