Contemporary Responses By The Criminal Justice System Towards Victims Essay

Contemporary Responses By The Criminal Justice System Towards Victims And Witnesses Of Crime - Essay ExampleThe accuracy, quality and quantity of the evidence provided by the victims or the witnesses fulfil a crucial role in developing the case and the ultimate outcome of the investigations (Davis et al., 2007). This paper evaluates if the criminal justice administration agents need to take into level the background and perspectives of the victims or the witnesses. It discusses the related research background and evaluates available evidence on the importance of including the witness background and perspectives. It starts with a discussion on sensitivity to emotive and cognitive processing style, expectations and ethnic perspectives of witnesses.A large amount of research and scholarly work has been undertaken on the subject of criminal justice systems sensitivity (or lack of it) toward the victims or the witnesses. This sensitivity is, however, studied from the point of view of t he victims or the witnesses. The underlying theme is that the criminal justice system officials whitethorn inadvertently indulge in a further victimization of the witnesses/victims during their investigations (Goodey, 2005). This is attributed to a plausible lack of empathy with the witness and the focus of the officials on getting the crime puzzle out (Mawby and Walklate, 1994). As such, much research has gone into developing programs for educating the criminal justice system agents in being humane, patient and empathic to the victims (Lamb et al., 2008).For example, a research by Bollingmo, Wessel, Eilertsen and Magnussen (2008) found that police officers tend to undermine the credibility of victims accounts if the victim appears to be calm and controlled and does not look harassed or desperate. However, it is more of a temperament issue that some people may remain relatively calm under duress while others may become desperate with even runty discomfort (Maguire and Pointing, 1 988). But the investigating officers