NCJ Number
178493
Journal
International Journal of Police Science & Management Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: June 1999 Pages: 50-56
Date Published
1999
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Videotaped interviews conducted by the North Yorkshire, England, Police Family Protection Unit concerning allegations of sexual and physical abuse made by children between 1993 and 1996 were analyzed to assess their possible use in criminal proceedings.
Abstract
In 1996, of the 38 videotaped interviews conducted, 84 percent were submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Only videotaped interviews that contained useful evidence to support a prosecution were sent to the CPS, indicating that 16 percent of videotaped interviews did not contain sufficient or useful evidence. Of videotaped interviews submitted to the CPS, about 50 percent in 1993 and 75 percent from 1994 to 1996 were used in relation to criminal proceedings. The proportion of videotaped interviews actually used in criminal trials, however, was much smaller. Based on data provided by police officers in the course of interviewing children, the authors conclude that such interviews provide useful evidence and are being used in court. A child witness record sheet is appended. 13 references and 2 tables