Unit 3 AC1.1 Evaluate effectiveness of the roles of personnel

Who are the people who interpret the evidence in criminal investigations?

• Crime scene investigators or Scenes of Crime Officers (SOCOs)
• Forensic scientists
• Police officers/detectives
• The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)

What is the role of SOCOs in criminal investigations?

• To collect trace evidence such as gunshot residue, fingerprints, hairs, and fibers
• To interpret the evidence collected from the crime scene
• To investigate the crime and gather witness testimonies
• To determine the cause and means of death in a criminal case

What is a limitation of the CPS?

• Cases collapsing due to lack of evidence
• Inadequate training and qualifications
• Limited availability for assistance in investigations
• Lack of access to necessary equipment

What is the purpose of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in criminal investigations?

• To conduct crime scene evaluations and autopsies
• To analyze evidence in a laboratory setting
• To secure the crime scene and preserve evidence
• To be an independent prosecution agency separate from the police

What limitations can the CPS encounter in their role?

• Using unreliable witnesses
• Difficulty in collaborating with the police
• Insufficient qualifications and expertise
• Failure to consider public interest in prosecutions

What role do pathologists play in criminal investigations?

• Performing autopsies and establishing the cause of death
• Reviewing evidence from a crime scene and producing information for court
• Analyzing blood and bodily fluids in a laboratory
• Conducting investigations and reducing crime rates

What limitations can pathologists experience in their role?

• Lack of qualifications and expensive
• Low cost and budget constraints
• Inadequate communication with other investigation personnel
• Limited availability due to high workload

What do forensic scientists NOT do in criminal investigations?

• Review evidence from a crime scene and produce information for a court
• Analyze blood and bodily fluids in a laboratory
• Investigate crimes and attempt to reduce them

Which is not a limitation of forensic scientists?

• Ethical concerns regarding privacy and DNA analysis
• Time-consuming and expensive processes
• Insufficient knowledge and expertise in specialized areas
• Misinterpretation of evidence leading to miscarriages of justice

What role do police officers play in criminal investigations?

• Responding to crime scenes and preserving evidence
• Interpreting forensic evidence in a laboratory
• Making decisions on prosecutions
• Providing medical evaluations and cause of death determinations