NCJ Number
232396
Journal
Homicide Studies Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2010 Pages: 436-452
Date Published
November 2010
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study examined the characteristics of homicide detectives in Vancouver, BC, and Seattle, WA.
Abstract
Ideologies help guide our behavior and thought processes and have been largely neglected when studying crime and criminal justice professionals. Intensive interviews were conducted with homicide detectives in Seattle, WA and Vancouver, BC to provide a view of their working beliefs and opinions concerning a number of issues. The areas questioned included (a) working environment, (b) causes of homicide, (c) television portrayal of homicide work, and (d) the death penalty. Within each area several questions were asked. Although homicide detectives in both cities and countries gave similar responses to many questions, they differed significantly in terms of the role of guns, particularly handguns, in homicide rates, the death penalty, and their relationship to the prosecutor/crown. Therefore, although their constellation of beliefs (ideologies) surrounding the above noted topics were in many ways similar, there were distinct differences. The areas of difference can be understood within the larger legal and cultural context. Tables and references (Published Abstract)