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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Outcome of criminal investigation into allegations of sexual abuse.

The aim was to study the outcome of criminal investigation into allegations of sexual abuse made by 160 children assessed over a two year period in a specialist paediatric unit in the North of England. In all, 141 of the 160 children (88%) were female, and 99 (62%) were aged under 12 years. There were 145 males and nine females named by children in allegations of sexual abuse. Fathers formed the largest single group of alleged male perpetrators (56/176). None of the nine alleged female abusers was prosecuted. Of the 145 males, 57 reached trial; 49 were convicted, an 86% conviction rate of those sent to trial and a rate of proven sexual offence (including cautions) of 44% (54/124) among men originally interviewed by the police. Twenty five per cent of children (17/68) who could have testified did so, most giving evidence against someone who was known to them. Pragmatic selection of cases for prosecution resulted in an outcome highly vindicating of the decision to prosecute. The possible effects of this process are discussed.

Adolescent↗

A content analysis of textbooks on criminal investigation: an evaluative comparison to empirical research findings on the investigative process and the role of forensic evidence.

A content analysis of textbooks on criminal investigation was carried out to determine the degree to which their coverage corresponded to empirical findings on the investigative process and the role of forensic evidence. The results showed that the texts overemphasize forensic evidence relative to its actual use. They underemphasize the role of patrol officers, detective post-arrest activities and the importance of interpersonal communication in investigations. Moreover, the texts are virtually silent on a number of key points such as detective evidence collection activities and how detectives use and give meaning to physical evidence. An analysis of material in newer texts, those available after research findings became widely known, showed little changed in emphasis from older volumes. The findings are discussed in relation to training needs for those in the justice system who collect, use and make practical and policy decisions about forensic evidence and investigative outcomes.

Communication↗

[Cooperation between criminal investigators and forensic medicine. A complementary system and its peculiarities, illustrated by a case from general practice].

Usually criminal investigations involving issues of medical misconduct require comprehensive inquiries which normally include the confiscation of medical files and the determination of certain events in their chronological order. This information is then submitted to the relevant experts as a basis for preparing their opinions. Where the subject of the investigations is complex, however, or where no suitable patient documentations are available, cooperation with the medical experts should start at an earlier stage already and be more comprehensive. On the basis of the relevant legal principles an already concluded investigation ("dietary capsule case") is critically discussed.

Appetite Depressants↗

Ethical-legal problems of DNA databases in criminal investigation.

Advances in DNA technology and the discovery of DNA polymorphisms have permitted the creation of DNA databases of individuals for the purpose of criminal investigation. Many ethical and legal problems arise in the preparation of a DNA database, and these problems are especially important when one analyses the legal regulations on the subject. In this paper three main groups of possibilities, three systems, are analysed in relation to databases. The first system is based on a general analysis of the population; the second one is based on the taking of samples for a particular list of crimes, and a third is based only on the specific analysis of each case. The advantages and disadvantages of each system are compared and controversial issues are then examined. We found the second system to be the best choice for Spain and other European countries with a similar tradition when we weighed the rights of an individual against the public's interest in the prosecution of a crime.

Civil Rights↗

Criminal investigative analysis.

In its pursuit of those responsible for the commission of serious violent crime, law enforcement will continue to explore and refine the Criminal Investigative Analysis process. To this end, it will enthusiastically collaborate with the medical profession. The results of continuing studies will be made available to relevant bodies. If a general practitioner becomes aware of a patient's unexplained changes of behaviour an additional question should perhaps be considered: "What else is happening in your life?" The response and its evaluation and subsequent intervention may avert a tragedy. Notification of police and anonymity of a practitioner are always contentious issues. In my mind, responsibility to the community in general completely over-shadows the debate on anonymity and confidentiality. In recent discussions with professionals involved in the mental health field there was a consensus that if a treating doctor becomes aware that a person is likely to be violent or cause harm to themselves or the community, the problem of confidentiality does not occur. The safety of the public is paramount. In addition, senior vice president of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Brendan Nelson, was quoted in the Sunday Age 16 August 1992 as follows: "If a patient tells you that she is going to kill her husband and you believe it is a serious threat, then you have a responsibility to the person whose life is in danger to inform the authorities." To do otherwise, surely is an injustice and it would appear to therefore follow, also unethical and immoral.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

DNA typing in forensic medicine and in criminal investigations: a current survey.

Since 1985 DNA typing of biological material has become one of the most powerful tools for personal identification in forensic medicine and in criminal investigations [1-6]. Classical DNA "fingerprinting" is increasingly being replaced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based technology which detects very short polymorphic stretches of DNA [7-15]. DNA loci which forensic scientists study do not code for proteins, and they are spread over the whole genome [16, 17]. These loci are neutral, and few provide any information about individuals except for their identity. Minute amounts of biological material are sufficient for DNA typing. Many European countries are beginning to establish databases to store DNA profiles of crime scenes and known offenders. A brief overview is given of past and present DNA typing and the establishment of forensic DNA databases in Europe.

Civil Rights↗

[Injury pattern and identification after airplane catastrophies. Cooperation between forensic medicine and federal criminal investigations. An airplane accident in Mühlheim/Ruhr 8 February 1988].

On February 8th 1988, a two-motor passenger aircraft of Metroliner type with 21 people on board entered a front of heavy weather at an altitude of 900 m and crashed after being struck by lightning which led to complete breakdown of the electrical systems on board. The site of the crash was in the marshy Ruhr meadows. The formation of the terrain enabled a subdivision into plan squares for rescue. The identification of the 21 bodies was carried out in the Essen Institute of Forensic Medicine in collaboration with the identification commission of the Federal Criminal Investigation Office. The experience and recommendations for future (possibly larger-scale) disasters derived from this are described. Furthermore, the accident pattern in the casualties typical for this air crash is discussed.

Accidents, Aviation↗

Criminal investigation of child sexual abuse: a comparison of cases referred to the prosecutor to those not referred.

OBJECTIVE: The present study sought to identify characteristics of child sexual abuse cases which differentiate cases referred for criminal prosecution ("criminal-action") from those not referred ("dropped") by investigators. METHOD: The study sample consisted of 1043 children who completed a forensic interview for sexual abuse that allegedly occurred at the hands of an adult between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 1996 in Bernalillo County of New Mexico. Data was systematically obtained from forensic interview files and offender records at the local prosecutor's office. RESULTS: Differences between criminal-action and dropped cases were found in relation to the children (age, sex and ethnicity), the alleged offenders (age, sex and relationship to child), and the case characteristics (disclosure and injury to the child). CONCLUSIONS: The present study provided insight into the characteristics of a previously ignored population (reported child sexual abuse cases that are not referred for prosecution). Recommendations are made to address the needs of these children and their families.

Adolescent↗