Supporting the interviewing and legal representation of crime victims and suspects using digital communication methods. Is it 'remotely possible?
Lead Research Organisation:
Northumbria University
Department Name: Fac of Arts, Design and Social Sciences
Abstract
Reacting to COVID-19 required significant, immediate changes to Government processes including the Criminal Justice System. Police investigations must continue, and victims, witnesses and suspects of crime must be interviewed. However, social distancing and other restrictive measures means that police investigators are unable to conduct interviews, and legal/third party professionals are unable to communicate with clients in a traditional format. Thus, remote communication is one such way currently being conducted across the UK (and elsewhere in the world), however, this practice is not standardised and the current research-base to prove its efficacy is extremely limited. The research team comprises experts in the field and will work in collaboration with our national and international partners who include the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), the College of Policing, various police forces in England and Wales, Fair Trials, the National Appropriate Adults Network (NAAN), the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Commission for International Justice and Accountability (CIJA). We will produce timely and much-needed evidence-based reports and resources to enable immediate and direct impact for our partners and stakeholders. These resources will be available at key stages of the project in order to facilitate shared good practice around two main aspects (comprising four Work Packages): (i) the challenges of conducting interviews remotely via digital means in attempts to gain detailed and accurate information, and; (ii) the impact of not having legal and other third party representatives in physical attendance to represent suspects (particularly vulnerable ones) in the police station.
Organisations
- Northumbria University (Lead Research Organisation)
- International Criminal Court (Collaboration)
- Fair Trials International (Collaboration)
- Norwegian Police University College (Collaboration)
- Ministry of Justice and Public Security (Collaboration)
- National Police Chiefs Council (Collaboration)
- Northumbria Police (Collaboration)
- South Wales Police (Collaboration)
- Metropolitan Police Service (Collaboration)
Description | Reduced attendance at police stations. Remote legal assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic became the 'normal' or even the 'preferred' way in which lawyers and accredited representatives in our sample (hereafter referred to as 'legal professionals') provided legal assistance to clients in police interviews. However, the majority stated that they did so for their own safety, reporting few problems with such an approach. Positives changes . Our respondents believed there were various positive impacts of providing remote legal assistance. They cited quicker progress of the case and reduced delays, particularly between arrest and interview, and less travel. Problems with representing clients in police interviews . Our respondents did not have serious concerns about the quality of assistance they provided remotely. However, many recognised several aspects that were more challenging: (i)either seeing or hearing their client; (ii) reviewing materials presented by the police; (iii) building relationships (and rapport) with their clients, and;(iv) having adequate influence over the process. Suspects' vulnerability . Respondents reported their client's vulnerability was the key factor in deciding whether to give advice face-to-face (F2F) or remotely. Most legal professionals in our study agreed that children and vulnerable suspects were more negatively affected by the lack of F2F legal assistance, but some appeared to believe that it is appropriate for legal advice to be provided remotely even in these cases. |
Exploitation Route | Legal advisors, the Ministry of Justice and the National Police Chiefs Council may well use the results. Indeed, the NPCC have already asked for an additional update to help them decide on updated policies for all police forces across the UK. |
Sectors | Education Government Democracy and Justice Security and Diplomacy Other |
URL | http://www.remoteinterviewing.co.uk |
Description | We have produced various Headline Update Reports, Policy Briefing Reports and developed a website at www.remoteinterviewing.co.uk. We have also been requested by the National Police Chiefs Council for updates so that our results can impact on national policy. We have submitted two manuscripts for publication and have another two in pipeline later this year (2023) |
First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
Sector | Government, Democracy and Justice |
Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
Description | Policy Briefing Report |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or Improved professional practice |
URL | https://static.s123-cdn-static-d.com/uploads/4765849/normal_61647f852aaea.pdf |
Description | Project Update Report |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
Impact | By staff understanding what impact remote interviewing has had on their workplace is vital to improvements. |
URL | https://www.remoteinterviewing.co.uk/updates/policy-briefing-reports |
Title | Investigators and organisations who were involved in remote interviewing |
Description | This dataset consists of qualitative responses to a variety of questions asked during an anonymous questionnaire about the impact of remote interviewing on practice. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This is the first dataset of its kind and we are currently writing a manuscript to submit for publication regarding the finding. |
Title | Lawyers and Legal representatives |
Description | This dataset consists of qualitative responses to a variety of questions asked during an anonymous questionnaire about the impact of remote interviewing on practice.This relates to lawyers and accredited legal advisors who represent clients in police stations |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This is the firth research of its kind to truly understand the views of lawyers and accredited legal representatives. |
URL | https://www.remoteinterviewing.co.uk/updates/policy-briefing-reports |
Description | Fair Trials (International) |
Organisation | Fair Trials International |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | We invite them to meetings and update them |
Collaborator Contribution | They provide participants and help in organising the projects. We also have one member sit on our board of researchers |
Impact | Fair Trials have been involved in producing the Headline Update Reports and Policy Briefing Reports |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | International Criminal Court |
Organisation | International Criminal Court |
Country | Netherlands |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | We invite them to meetings and assist with police decisions |
Collaborator Contribution | The facilitation of research participation. |
Impact | None as yet |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Metropolitan Police |
Organisation | Metropolitan Police Service |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Invited them to meetings and provided update reports |
Collaborator Contribution | Facilitated participation in research projects as part of the overall project |
Impact | None as yet |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Ministry of Justice |
Organisation | Ministry of Justice |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Part of the Advisory Council |
Collaborator Contribution | Attend meetings and discussions. |
Impact | None |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | National Police Chiefs Council |
Organisation | National Police Chiefs Council |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Just attendance at meetings and email correspondence. We have also provided them with information on research results to help improve police practice nationwide. |
Collaborator Contribution | Facilitated sending emails out. |
Impact | We have supplied them details of all reports (Headline and Policy) |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Northumbria Police |
Organisation | Northumbria Police |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | We liaise directly with the partner to provide updates |
Collaborator Contribution | Attend meetings, provide assistance with research work packages |
Impact | Access to officers to participate in research project |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Norwegian Police University College |
Organisation | Norwegian Police University College |
Country | Norway |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We invite them to meetings and they assist us accordingly |
Collaborator Contribution | Attendance at meetings and they provide help and support to research projects by participating |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | South Wales Police |
Organisation | South Wales Police |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Invitations to meetings and the sending of reports to them |
Collaborator Contribution | They have facilitated participation in research projects as part of the overall project |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2020 |
Title | Project Website |
Description | A new project website to ensure dissemination of related articles and policy documents linked to the topic area. |
Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Impact | This website will be used to maintain records of all updates of the project to members of the public but also to our strategic partners and key stakeholders |
URL | https://6002efa199fed.site123.me |
Description | Briefing to Project Partners (Fair Trials) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | I attended a meeting with Fair Trials (International) in Sep 22 to fully brief on the update of the project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Briefing to senior leadership team of Northumbria Police |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I attended a meeting with the leadership team of Northumbria Police in Sep 22 to fully brief on the update of the project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Headline Update Report |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | As part of the original research application, we explained that every 3 months, Headline Update Reports will be submitted to keep all partners and stakeholders updated and informed on progress. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://6002efa199fed.site123.me |
Description | Headline Update Report 2 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was an update report that went out to all team members plus all project collaborators. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://static.s123-cdn-static-d.com/uploads/4765849/normal_62345201d4c56.pdf |
Description | Meeting with NPCC (Chiefs Council) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | I attended a meeting with the National Police Chiefs Councils in Sep 22 to fully brief on the update of the project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Policy Briefing Report 1 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Policy Briefing Report updating team members, project collaborators and professional audiences |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://static.s123-cdn-static-d.com/uploads/4765849/normal_61647f852aaea.pdf |