The Role and Impact of Forensic Evidence in the Criminal ...
The author(s) shown below used Federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Justice and prepared the following final report:
Document Title:
The Role and Impact of Forensic Evidence in the Criminal Justice Process
Author:
Document No.: Date Received: Award Number:
Joseph Peterson, Ira Sommers, Deborah Baskin, and Donald Johnson
231977
September 2010
2006-DN-BX-0094
This report has not been published by the U.S. Department of Justice. To provide better customer service, NCJRS has made this Federallyfunded grant final report available electronically in addition to traditional paper copies.
Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect
the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
THE ROLE AND IMPACT OF FORENSIC EVIDENCE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS
REVISED FINAL REPORT
6-10-10
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE # 2006-DN-BX-0094
Joseph Peterson, PI Ira Sommers, Co-PI
Senior Research Associates Deborah Baskin Donald Johnson
California State University, Los Angeles School of Criminal Justice & Criminalistics
The authors also wish to acknowledge Jason Larson, Regina Peterson and Valerie Fisher for their capable assistance in collecting data from the Indiana study sites, and Kenneth Takigawa, Ada
Chan and several additional research assistants from California State University, Los Angeles for their help in collecting data in Los Angeles. The authors would also like to thank the members of the Project Advisory Committee consisting of Professors Shari Diamond, Paul Giannelli, and
Michael Saks, and Mr. Kevin Lothridge, for their guidance and assistance throughout the research.
This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION
11
Background to the Study
11
Study Objectives
11
Organization of the Report
12
CHAPTER II.
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE & WHAT IT
CAN TELL THE INVESTIGATOR
14
Forensic Evidence Impact Studies
14
Criminalistics/Forensic Science
17
Crime Laboratory Operations
20
CHAPTER III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
26
Study Sites
26
Research & Sample Designs
31
Variables& Measures
33
Analytical Strategy
35
National & Study Outcome Comparisons
39
CHAPTER IV. AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
42
Physical Evidence Collected, Submitted
42
& Examined
Tracking Cases Through the Criminal
Justice System
43
Predictors of Criminal Justice Outcomes
49
Arrests
49
DA Referrals
52
Charging
52
Convictions
53
Plea/Trial
53
Sentencing
53
Hard to Solve Cases
54
Discussion
54
CHAPTER V.
BURGLARY
60
Physical Evidence Collected, Submitted
60
& Examined
Tracking Cases Through the Criminal
Justice System
65
Predictors of Criminal Justice Outcomes
65
Arrests
65
DA Referrals
67
ii
This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Charging
67
Convictions
67
Plea/Trial
67
Sentencing
67
Hard to Solve Cases
67
Discussion
71
CHAPTER VI. HOMICIDE
74
Physical Evidence Collected, Submitted
74
& Examined
Tracking Cases Through the Criminal
Justice System
80
Predictors of Criminal Justice Outcomes
82
Arrests
82
DA Referrals
82
Charging
82
Convictions
82
Plea/Trial
83
Sentencing
83
Hard to Solve Cases
86
Discussion
86
CHAPTER VII. RAPE
90
Physical Evidence Collected, Submitted
90
& Examined
Tracking Cases Through the Criminal
Justice System
93
Predictors of Criminal Justice Outcomes
98
Arrests
98
DA Referrals
98
Charging
98
Convictions
101
Plea/Trial
101
Sentencing
101
Hard to Solve Cases
101
Discussion
103
CHAPTER VIII. ROBBERY
107
Physical Evidence Collected, Submitted
107
& Examined
Tracking Cases Through the Criminal
Justice System
112
Predictors of Criminal Justice Outcomes
112
Arrests
112
DA Referrals
117
Charging
117
iii
This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Convictions
117
Plea/Trial
117
Sentencing
117
Hard to Solve Cases
119
Discussion
119
CHAPTER IX. CONCLUSIONS & DISCUSSION
122
APPENDIX A
Unique/Associative Evidence
131
iv
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