Navigating the criminal justice system: a systematic review of qualitative evidence on the experiences of homicide covictims

Homicide is considered a crime against the state rather than the covictims, which impacts criminal justice system (CJS) processes and can lead to secondary victimization. This review explores the experience of covictims (i.e., family members) engaging with the CJS. Thirty studies met the inclusion c...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Lawal, Hassanat Mojirola (Author) ; Shaw, Liz (Author) ; Orr, Noreen (Author) ; Briscoe, Simon (Author) ; Melendez-Torres, G. J. (Author) ; Garside, Ruth (Author) ; Thompson Coon, Jo (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2025
In: Violence and victims
Year: 2025, Volume: 40, Issue: 1, Pages: 156-176
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Keywords:
courts and criminal justice systems/policing
Homicide
Qualitative Research
Victimization
Violence
Description
Summary:Homicide is considered a crime against the state rather than the covictims, which impacts criminal justice system (CJS) processes and can lead to secondary victimization. This review explores the experience of covictims (i.e., family members) engaging with the CJS. Thirty studies met the inclusion criteria and were identified through searching six bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, Health Management Information Consortium, CINAHL, Applied Social Sciences Index & Abstracts, International Bibliography of the Social Sciences, and Social Science Citation Index) and supplementary searches. Two reviewers conducted screening, data extraction, and quality appraisal. Thematic synthesis resulted in three themes: (a) information and meaningful inclusion, (b) who is the justice system for?, and (c) relating to victims as people. These themes highlight concerns regarding the marginalization of covictims within the CJS and suggest ways to enhance processes to avoid further marginalizing and traumatizing covictims.
Item Description:Literaturverzeichnis: Seite 171-175
Physical Description:Illustration
ISSN:1945-7073
DOI:10.1891/VV-2023-0125