NCJ Number
149291
Date Published
1993
Length
43 pages
Annotation
In 1991, the British government established a Royal Commission to review the criminal justice system in England and Wales.
Abstract
The Commission funded a series of 23 studies covering aspects of police investigations, the role of experts in criminal proceedings, case preparation, and the court process. This paper focuses on those research reports which bear a direct relevance to policing. It summarizes research findings on topics including problems in deciding the suitability of detainees for interview, the conduct of police investigations, interview techniques and summaries, the suspect's right to silence, and the use of confession evidence alone. For each issue, this paper selects from the Commission's research studies those results and recommendations which, if implemented, that would change present police practice. The research is then linked to the findings and recommendations of the Royal Commission. 2 tables and 2 appendixes