equipment. The suspects admitted the action but pleaded not guilty. They were acting to
prevent a war crime (justified.)
• Robert Black
Robert Black was a delivery driver who was convicted of the murder of 4 young women
which he committed in the 1980’s. Black would murder the girls then dump their bodies in
lay-bys alongside major A roads which he commuted on for work. Geographical profiling
was used to identify Black through his job.
• Steven Saunders
Steven was the first UK man to be convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour without a
direct victim testimony, using only hearsay evidence. Saunders was sentenced to 18 months'
imprisonment at Guildford Crown Court in January 2018. Saunders forced his partner to
shoplift, spent her benefits and held her bank card hostage. Saunders was convicted due to a
midwife raising the alarm. They evidenced Saunders behaviours and attitudes towards his
partners care, as he was jealous and aggressive regarding his unborn child.
• William Mills
Mills was recognised as man who robbed a bank in Glasgows West End, he was seen by 4
people who were ultimately proven wrong. Mills was freed after a year in prison as 2 police
officers identified him from CCTV footage. Mills was sentenced to 9 years in prison, but
forensic evidence was found on the door handle who was linked to a previously convicted
robber Michael Absalon.
• Sally Anne Bowman
Sally was murdered outside her own home in 2005 by an unidentified perpetrator. DNA
which was collected from the body and inserted into the police’s intelligence databases
which resulted in a match. Previously convicted Mark Dixie was a match to the evidence and
was consequently arrested and charged. Dixie received a sentence to 34 years in prison.
AC1.1 – Evaluate the effectiveness of the roles of personnel involved in criminal
investigations.
Order of explanation – their role, strengths and weaknesses, cost, expertise, availability
and a case study
Crime scene investigators
They attend a variety of crime scenes, preserve the scene, collect evidence, undergo
specialist training and have a degree in science. A strength of their role is that they collect
evidence which links suspects to crimes and victims and may also prove potential offender's
innocence or guilt and deliver justice. However, a weakness of SOCO’s is they have to rely on
others to protect the scene, they require specialist skill which they need to be trained for
and patience and meticulous care when within a crime scene. Crime scene investigators can
also risk their own health and safety when working with potentially toxic substances or
weapons, this is a stressful job which can also cause issues for the individual. Due to the
nature of the job, it can lead to burnouts within staff and even staff shortages. The cost of
Crime scene investigators is between £16,000 to £37,000 annually which is an average salary
prevent a war crime (justified.)
• Robert Black
Robert Black was a delivery driver who was convicted of the murder of 4 young women
which he committed in the 1980’s. Black would murder the girls then dump their bodies in
lay-bys alongside major A roads which he commuted on for work. Geographical profiling
was used to identify Black through his job.
• Steven Saunders
Steven was the first UK man to be convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour without a
direct victim testimony, using only hearsay evidence. Saunders was sentenced to 18 months'
imprisonment at Guildford Crown Court in January 2018. Saunders forced his partner to
shoplift, spent her benefits and held her bank card hostage. Saunders was convicted due to a
midwife raising the alarm. They evidenced Saunders behaviours and attitudes towards his
partners care, as he was jealous and aggressive regarding his unborn child.
• William Mills
Mills was recognised as man who robbed a bank in Glasgows West End, he was seen by 4
people who were ultimately proven wrong. Mills was freed after a year in prison as 2 police
officers identified him from CCTV footage. Mills was sentenced to 9 years in prison, but
forensic evidence was found on the door handle who was linked to a previously convicted
robber Michael Absalon.
• Sally Anne Bowman
Sally was murdered outside her own home in 2005 by an unidentified perpetrator. DNA
which was collected from the body and inserted into the police’s intelligence databases
which resulted in a match. Previously convicted Mark Dixie was a match to the evidence and
was consequently arrested and charged. Dixie received a sentence to 34 years in prison.
AC1.1 – Evaluate the effectiveness of the roles of personnel involved in criminal
investigations.
Order of explanation – their role, strengths and weaknesses, cost, expertise, availability
and a case study
Crime scene investigators
They attend a variety of crime scenes, preserve the scene, collect evidence, undergo
specialist training and have a degree in science. A strength of their role is that they collect
evidence which links suspects to crimes and victims and may also prove potential offender's
innocence or guilt and deliver justice. However, a weakness of SOCO’s is they have to rely on
others to protect the scene, they require specialist skill which they need to be trained for
and patience and meticulous care when within a crime scene. Crime scene investigators can
also risk their own health and safety when working with potentially toxic substances or
weapons, this is a stressful job which can also cause issues for the individual. Due to the
nature of the job, it can lead to burnouts within staff and even staff shortages. The cost of
Crime scene investigators is between £16,000 to £37,000 annually which is an average salary
