Perceptions of wrongful convictions amongst Americans working in the criminal justice system.

ABSTRACT During the past several years the issue of wrongful conviction has received increasing attention from state legislators, the legal system, and researchers. Much of this attention has focused on death penalty convictions which have been set aside. As of February, 2003, postconviction DNA testing in the United States had led to the exoneration of 123 wrongfully-convicted individuals. To date, it is unknown how frequently wrongful conviction occurs in the United States. Also unknown is how frequently systemic errors occur which previous research has identified as being associated with the phenomenon wrongful conviction. The present research sought to address this deficiency of knowledge by asking professionals who work in the criminal justice system their perceptions regarding these issues. A 53-item survey questionnaire was administered to four groups of Ohio criminal justice professionals: law enforcement (sheriffs and chiefs of police), prosecutors (chief and assistant), defense attorneys (private and public defenders), and judges (common pleas, appellate, and Supreme Court). The 798 respondents indicate they believe wrongful conviction occurs in 1 to 3 percent of all felony convictions. With more than 2,000,000 individuals incarcerated in the nation’s prisons and jails, this error rate would signify that between 20,000 and 60,000 individuals are

  • Word count: 32767
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Anthropology and its Uses in Single Body and Mass Fatality Cases

Abstract The research focus of this piece is forensic anthropology as a whole, with special attention to differences in methodologies in single body and multiple fatality cases. This piece focuses on the many techniques of forensic anthropology, such as osteology and odontology, as well as touching on its legal standing both in the UK and in the US. Case studies are used to illustrate the ways in which anthropology has been used and the case studies include both single body cases and those of multiple fatalities to give a more in-depth view of techniques used and how they vary from case to case. Studies from the US and the UK were looked at, as it was found that anthropology is more widely used in the United States, although it is becoming more accepted here in the United Kingdom, as shown in this piece. This piece found that anthropology is, although a relatively new subject, an extremely important tool in legal cases, and one that can only get more recognition as its usefulness and applications to crime are fully realised. Contents Chapter 1: Introduction and a brief history to anthropology Chapter 2: Osteology 2.1 Bone Structure 2.2 Skeletal Structure 2.3 Bone Types Chapter 3: Forensic Anthropology 3.1 The Skull 3.2 Determining the Race of a Victim 3.2.1 Skull Examination 3.2.2 New Methods 3.3 Determining the Sex of a Victim 3.3.1 Skull Examination 3.3.2

  • Word count: 16918
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Is the increased use of electronically monitored home detention (EMHD) as recently confirmed in the CJA 2003 justifiable from a legal-psychological perspective? EMHD is said to be more humane, rehabilitative and especially less costly, than impriso

Is the increased use of electronically monitored home detention (EMHD) as recently confirmed in the CJA 2003 justifiable from a legal-psychological perspective? I. Introduction The major shift from corporal to carceral punishment in the late 18th century made prison the means to discipline and punish (Foucault, 1979). This development was based mainly on the discovery that 'it was more efficient and profitable in terms of economy of power to place people under surveillance than to subject them to some exemplary penalty" (Foucault, 1980:38). Since then, questions of effectiveness have had a large influence on penalty measures. Nevertheless, until recently, imprisonment had been corporal, holding 'the prisoner fast within the prison walls and directing its excruciating impressions against his body and soul' (von Hentig, 1937:206). However, technological advances in our 'culture of control' (Garland, 2001) have led to shift towards the 'Benthamesque industrial-age prison' (Cavadino & Dignan, 2002:69), providing constant surveillance through transparent rooms. In 1964, Harvard psychologist Dr. Ralph Schwitzgebel developed a one-kilogram Radio telemetry device, wearable by a person (Renzema, 1992). Schwitzgebel (1969; 1971) saw potential of his 'electronic rehabilitation system" in reducing offences, facilitating therapy and providing humanitarian advantages. Specific deterrence

  • Word count: 10232
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Domestic violence. The following essay will concentrate on patriarchal-terrorism (Gilchrist et al. 2004) meaning the non-sexual violence of men against their female intimate partners. This kind of aggression was given many names since its social

Introduction The following essay will concentrate on "patriarchal-terrorism" (Gilchrist et al. 2004) meaning the non-sexual violence of men against their female intimate partners. This kind of aggression was given many names since its "social construction" in the 1970ies (Mehrotra 1999), such as wife-battering, partner or spouse-abuse, family or intimate violence (Straus, 1978, Gondolf, 1988, Gilchrist et al. 2004). Nevertheless, the still most common term "Domestic Violence" (Stanko, 2001, 2004, Hague et al. 2003, Shipway 2004) is used in the following when selected theories of violence in general and Domestic Violence (DV) in particular are presented before a taxonomy of offender-types is introduced and critically evaluated with regard to an appropriate intervention. Both the extent of Domestic Violence and the risk of serious injuries are high in the UK (Stanko, 2001, Walby & Allen, 2004). One in four women reported physical assault by a current or former partner in their life (Mirrlees-Black, 1999). Nearly, a sixth of all violent crime is domestic (Dodd et al. 2004). In 2001, 2 women were killed every week by their husbands (Stanko, 2001). Around 12, 9 million incidents of Domestic Violence against women occurred in 2003/4 (Walby & Allen. 2004). As violence-related terms are highly controversial (Berkowitz, 1993), they must be clarified. According to Blackburn (1993:

  • Word count: 8876
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Critically assess the extent to which discriminatory practices within the criminal justice process operate against ethnic minorities.

Issues in Criminal Justice Critically assess the extent to which discriminatory practices within the criminal justice process operate against ethnic minorities. In order to 'critically assess discriminatory practices within the criminal justice process operate against ethnic minorities', we must first outline the criminal justice process and define the terms 'ethnic minorities' and 'discriminatory practices'. Whilst the author acknowledges the debate between the terms 'Criminal Justice System (CJS) 1 and 'Criminal Justice Process', for the purpose of this essay these terms will be used interchangeably and refers to a series of phases through which a person charged with a criminal offence must go, in order to be convicted. The CJS will be discussed in further depth later, now let us determine what constitutes an ethnic minority group. In the United Kingdom, where the indigenous White population forms the majority, a good working definition is that of individuals with a cultural heritage distinct from the majority population (Manthorpe & Hettiaratchy, 1993). Bhugra & Bahl (1999), in their discussion of the issues involved in the definition of ethnicity, make the point of excluding national minorities such as the Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh who, despite their equal rights, have their distinctive cultural traditions and values that are generally respected. However,

  • Word count: 5920
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Does being a victim of crime affect the academic life? Off-shoots of this question are how does crime affect studies on the course, the effect of crime on the emotional state of the victims and how do they cope with it.

INTRODUCTION United Kingdom is regarded as one of the best country when it comes to education. People from all over the world come here to study because the education system over here is very nice and it is useful to them when they go back to their country, but are they safe over here. Can they walk on the streets without any fear or threat? As they use to do in their country, leave the house in the middle of the night in order to get some food. International students face a lot of problems over here when it comes to this. They do not feel safe over here. They cannot roam around the streets freely because they do not know whether it is safe or not and especially in Wolverhampton. The students over here are very scared to walk on the streets at night or even go to a pub with friends cause they do not know whether they would come back home or not. According to statistics revealed by the West Midlands Police Department (2004), the crime rate has been increasing a lot in Wolverhampton. The main victims in this are students. Statistics show about one third of students have become a victim of crime while at university. Car theft, burglary, having a purse, wallet or bag stolen continue to be the most common crimes affecting students. Being an international student myself and not used to living in such unsafe environments, I am emotionally affected by this insecurity and as such

  • Word count: 5637
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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For this project, the issue of drug related crime will be discussed at length and in great detail. The current issues, along with older and recent trends of crimes which are related to drugs will be analysed and compared to 'paint a clearer picture'

De Montfort University, Leicester Department of Law LLB Criminology Coursework 3 - April 2005 Drug Related Crime For this project, the issue of drug related crime will be discussed at length and in great detail. The current issues, along with older and recent trends of crimes which are related to drugs will be analysed and compared to 'paint a clearer picture' of the extent of drug related crime. The links between drugs and crime will be discussed and analysed along with any theories about the link. I will also research some recent statistics from various sources such as the British Crime Survey (BCS) or any other publications which may help to explain any links between drugs and crime. Firstly, as the term 'drug' is so broad and can have many different meanings and definitions, we must define what is meant by 'drugs'. Drugs have different meanings and uses to different people. The Oxford Dictionary1 defines the term 'drug' as 'a substance used as a medicine or an illegal substance taken for the effects is has on the body'. This 'official' definition in the Oxford dictionary can be seen as a rather 'basic' definition of what a drug is, as it is my opinion that the definition of drug for this context goes beyond the one stated above. For example, the definition above has no mention of any sort of effects which drugs have on people or gives no further explanation of what

  • Word count: 5240
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Rape. This project will introduce rape as a crime using common definition, statistics and academic literature. Secondly will use feminist theories and explain the rape, providing theories strengths and weaknesses.

RAPE Matriculation number: 10008032 Violent crimes as a phenomenon have been accompanying the history of humanity. They have been described in various written sources from Egyptian, Babylonian to Bible. Nobody has an answer to what causes violent crime, but a multitude of theories exist, ranging from criminological to biological. Violence and violent crimes permeate nearly every part of our life. Rape is one of those crimes that particularly interest society because they are disturbing, unusual and enchaining people's emotions and thinking. Today rape is a serious problem affecting millions of people throughout the world. It is driven by many factors from social to cultural. Rape as a violent crime is now recognized as a threat to development, peace and security; a violation of human rights; a crime under international law. This project will introduce rape as a crime using common definition, statistics and academic literature. Secondly will use feminist theories and explain 'the rape', providing theories strengths and weaknesses. Thirdly will identify different penal sanctions for the offence and will discuss their effectiveness. Rape has been a common event through history. It has been in films, art, literature and even theatre. Rape was in early civilizations when men showed their domination, power and claim of ownership on women by abducting and forcibly raping them. In

  • Word count: 5116
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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An investigation into the extent of homophobic hate crime and the leaders involved in tackling the problem in Manchester

Part One: MLP Report Title: 'An investigation into the extent of homophobic hate crime and the leaders involved in tackling the problem in Manchester' Introduction: Homophobic hate crime occurs when animosity is expressed toward another individual because of their sexual orientation, which results in verbal insults, assault, murder or even robbery. (Homophobic Hare Crime 2008) What is the current problem? / What needs to change? There has been frequent debate surrounding the question as to whether progress has been made regarding the reduction of homophobic hate crime. Positive action has been taken since the sixties when homosexuality was illegal, resulting in Section 146 of the Criminal Justice Act now requiring a court to look upon homosexuality as a motivating factor when determining the severity of an offence. (Stonewall 2010) However, it is imperative to also acknowledge that offending in relation to homophobia is not considered a specific offence in isolation, whereas an offence motivated by racism is. This indubitably highlights the imbalance of treatment that victims of homophobic crime experience. (Stonewall 2010) In addition to this, albeit politicians of today such as Ed Milliband who advocate the acceptance of homosexuality, others continue to contest this. For example, Melanie Philips, a British Journalist and Author has recently stated in tabloid news,

  • Word count: 4995
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Ed Gein: The Butcher of Plainfield. Since being convicted of his crimes, Ed Gein has had a substantial impact on popular culture

Introduction Ed Gein was an American murderer and grave robber from Wisconsin. His crimes were some of the most horrific in American History at the time he was caught and imprisoned. During his crime spree he killed two (verified) victims and desecrated the corpses of roughly ten women that he gathered from the local graveyard in his hometown of Plainfield. He is sometimes referred to by the nicknames The Plainfield Ghoul, The Mad Butcher, or the Butcher of Plainfield. Since being convicted of his crimes, Ed Gein has had a substantial impact on popular culture. His crimes have been the basis for some of the most successful stories of horror in American movie and literary history. Gein is the inspiration behind the characters of Norman Bates in the novel and movie versions of Psycho, Leatherface and the family of murderous cannibals in the classic horror film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and the killer Buffalo Bill from the Academy Award Winning Silence of the Lambs. The movies Deranged: The Confessions of a Necrophile, Motel Hell and Three on a Meat Hook are also loosely based on Ed Gein's crimes. (imdb) In the year 2000 there was a movie made entitled Ed Gein: In the Light of the Moon and in 2007 a movie named Ed Gein: The Butcher of Plainfield, both of which were based on his life and crimes. Gein's crime have also been the subject of various

  • Word count: 4987
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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