NCJ Number
54226
Journal
Victimology Volume: 3 Issue: 1-2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 135-140
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
METHODS USED IN VICTIMOLOGY RESEARCH DEALING WITH THE VICTIM'S INVOLVEMENT IN, INFLUENCES ON, AND PERCEPTIONS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON FOUR STUDIES. THE FIRST, AN ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OF VICTIM CHARACTERISTICS ON THE DISPOSITION OF CASES INVOLVING VIOLENT CRIMES, USED DATA FROM A PROSECUTOR'S MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM. IN A SMALLER STUDY, AIMED AT DEVELOPING A TYPOLOGY OF ASSAULT VICTIMS, RESEARCHERS IDENTIFIED ASSAULT CASES ON COURT DOCKETS EACH DAY, OBSERVED THE TRIALS, AND THEN INTERVIEWED VICTIMS IN CASES THAT RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS. A THIRD STUDY SOUGHT TO DETERMINE VICTIMS' PERCEPTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, WITH EMPHASIS ON PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND ON ISSUES OF VICTIM SATISFACTION. THIS STUDY EMPLOYED DATA GATHERED IN INTERVIEWS WITH VICTIMS CONDUCTED AT FOUR STAGES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS. THE FOURTH STUDY, ONGOING AT THE TIME THE REPORT WAS WRITTEN, DEALS DIRECTLY WITH VICTIMS' PERCEPTIONS OF AND IMPACT ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. VICTIMS' NAMES ARE OBTAINED FROM POLICE RECORDS, AND INDEPTH INTERVIEWS ARE CONDUCTED BEFORE THE VICTIM'S CASE GOES TO COURT AND AGAIN AFTER FINAL DISPOSITION. THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE VARIOUS METHODS USED IN THIS STUDY TO IDENTIFY AND CONTACT VICTIMS TO GATHER AND ANALYZE DATA, ARE POINTED OUT. SUCH MATTERS AS ANALYSIS OF OFFICIAL RECORDS VERSUS DIRECT VICTIM CONTACT AND TELPHONE VERSUS INPERSON INTERVIEWS ARE CONSIDERED. PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS DIRECTED TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FOURTH STUDY'S METHOD OF VICTIM CONTACT WAS CHOSEN AND TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE FORMAT AND INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED IN THAT STUDY. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)