Prosecutors’ perceptions of how to improve the quality of evidence in domestic violence cases

Limited evidence in domestic violence prosecutions is a persistent problem. Focus groups with 13 prosecutors from across Australia and New Zealand were used to explore how to improve the quality of evidence collected and presented in these cases. A thematic analysis identified three main strategies:...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Westera, Nina J. (Author)
Contributors: Powell, Martine B.
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2017
In: Policing and society
Year: 2017, Volume: 27, Issue: 2, Pages: 157-172
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Keywords:
Häusliche Gewalt
Strafverfolgung
Criminal Investigation
Investigative interviewing
video-evidence
Description
Summary:Limited evidence in domestic violence prosecutions is a persistent problem. Focus groups with 13 prosecutors from across Australia and New Zealand were used to explore how to improve the quality of evidence collected and presented in these cases. A thematic analysis identified three main strategies: improving the quality of investigations by initial police responders, supporting the complainant and tailoring the trial process to the domestic violence context. The most discussed strategy within these categories has previously received little attention- police video recording the complainant's initial account and using that video as the basis for the complainant's courtroom testimony.
ISSN:1477-2728
DOI:10.1080/10439463.2015.1039002