Criminal Investigation Process and the Role of Forensic Evidence: A Review of Empirical Findings

• NCJ Number: 164945
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 41 Issue: 6 Dated: (November 1996) Pages: 963-969
• Author(s): F Horvath; R Meesig
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented at the 47th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 1995, Seattle, Washington

Annotation

Highlights from major empirical studies on the criminal investigation process and the role played by physical evidence in that process are reviewed in light of findings from research on the effect of forensic analysis on criminal cases.

Abstract

The review indicates that most criminal cases do not involve the use of any physical evidence and that such evidence, even when available, is seldom seen by police detectives as having any intrinsic value. Police detectives use physical evidence primarily to strength their position vis-a-vis the suspect's position for the purpose of clearing cases by confession. Nonetheless, some research shows that physical evidence improves clearances and convictions in burglary and robbery cases which traditionally have low case resolution rates. Enhancement of the use of physical evidence by investigators, crime laboratory specialists, and others involved in criminal processing requires improved communication and collaborative efforts. Training of police and prosecutors should be particularly emphasized because they have the most to say about whether and how physical evidence is used in criminal case investigations. 20 references