Use of Forensic Evidence by the Police and Courts

• NCJ Number: 107206
• Author(s): J L Peterson
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 6 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: National Institute of Justice Research in Brief

Annotation

The gathering, analysis, and use of forensic evidence in a criminal case increases the likelihood that the police will clear the case, reduces the chance that the prosecutor will agree to plea negotiations, and makes a more severe sentence more likely.

Abstract

Study data came from a survey of crime laboratory directors and from more extensive analysis of six diverse jurisdictions. About two-thirds of crime laboratory work involves alcohol and drugs, and only a quarter involves personal or property crimes. Prosecutor case files from 1975 to 1978, and 1981 in the six jurisdictions showed that laboratory reports were used on about one-quarter to one-third of felony cases that had survived initial screening. Forensic evidence is least often used in burglary, robbery, and attempted murder or aggravated battery cases. With the exception of fingerprints, use of scientific evidence in serious crimes declined over the 5-year period covered by the research. Courts and prosecution need to urge greater funding of crime laboratories so that they can broaden their caseloads. Prosecutors also need to become more comfortable using scientific evidence and should consider the use of scientific evidence in all cases in which it is available. 2 footnotes.