NCJ Number
16256
Date Published
1975
Length
465 pages
Annotation
PLAIN LANGUAGE EXPLANATION OF THE PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES OF LEGAL RULES OF EVIDENCE AND APPLICABLE TO CRIMINAL CASES FOR NONLAWYERS, SUCH AS POLICE WHO GATHER CRIMINAL EVIDENCE AND SERVE AS WITNESSES IN COURT.
Abstract
EXCEPT FOR SOME JARGON THAT IS NEEDED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS IN THEIR WORK, LEGALISMS ARE TRANSLATED INTO TERMS WHICH ARE INTELLIGIBLE TO THE NONLAWYER. THE TOPICS DISCUSSED RANGE FROM BASIC CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES TO THE MORE TECHNICAL AREAS OF THE EVIDENTIARY DOMAIN. THESE INCLUDE RELEVANCE, THE HEARSAY RULE AND ITS EXCEPTIONS, THE PRIVILEGE AGAINST SELF-INCRIMINATION, IDENTIFICATION CONFRONTATIONS, SEARCHES AND SEIZURES, CONFESSIONS, AND TESTIMONIAL PRIVILEGES. TECHNICAL AREAS INCLUDE PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE, POLYGRAPH TESTING, FINGERPRINT EVIDENCE, FORENSIC PATHOLOGY, QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS, AND SPECTROGRAPHIC VOICE IDENTIFICATION. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED IN THE APPENDIX. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)