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A critical review of current police training and policy for autism spectrum disorder
- Author:
- HEPWORTH Diana
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 8(4), 2017, pp.212-222.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to critically review the current police training and criminal justice policy regarding the treatment of suspects with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during the initial stages of the criminal justice system (CJS), and provide potential policy reform and areas for further research. Design/methodology/approach: By reviewing extant literature, research and policy documents, this paper provides a critical review of the current policy and training for dealing with suspects with ASD in the current CJS in England and Wales for suspects with ASD. Findings: This paper proposes that current policy and police staff training is insufficient during all initial stages of the criminal justice process. Although there are emerging policies and schemes which are promising, they require further research and national participation. Policy reform and improved training is required to ensure minimal opportunities for miscarriages of justice to those individuals with ASD. Originality/value: This paper provides a chronological journey through the initial stages of the CJS in England and Wales for a suspect with ASD, and the challenges that they may face. Suggestions are made based on criminological and psychological research to remedy the potential opportunities for miscarriages of justice. (Publisher abstract)
Preventing abuse through pre-employment checks: an international review
- Authors:
- MANTHORPE Jill, LIPMAN Valerie
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 17(6), 2015, pp.341-350.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to summarise the findings of a desk-based international review investigating the checking of staff and volunteers working with adults who are vulnerable or at risk (or similarly defined) receiving social care in their own homes, or in day centres or residential care. Design/methodology/approach: In England, as part of the government’s attempts to prevent harm to vulnerable people, employers must check if their staff or volunteers are barred from working with vulnerable adults in the health and care sectors or if they have a relevant criminal record. This review sought to explore practices elsewhere, with a view to informing policy and practice debates. The review was undertaken in winter 2014-2015. It mainly involved a search of internet-based material and databases. This was further informed by communications with experts and practitioners from different countries. Findings: The review found a variety of practices, ranging from no checks to substantial checks involving fingerprinting. Reasons for checks identified in different national contexts extend from efforts to stop fraudulent use of government subsidies to minimising the risk of harm to vulnerable adults, and more positively to enhance user and public trust in care providers. A small number of countries place particular emphasis on the rights of individuals to privacy and rehabilitation and this moral imperative overrides other policy goals. This review highlighted a lack of clarity in publicly available documents about the potentially multiple policy goals of different schemes and suggests that there may be advantages to clarifying the options available from other countries. Research limitations/implications: This review was confined to English language material and to material located through internet searching. Some material may not have been updated on internet sites. Originality/value: The details of the processes have not previously been collated to the best of the authors’ knowledge. (Publisher abstract)
The early identification of vulnerable witnesses prior to an investigative interview
- Authors:
- O'MAHONY Brendan M., SMITH Kevin, MILNE Becky
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Forensic Practice, 13(2), May 2011, pp.114-123.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The purpose of this review and discussion paper is to examine how Registered Intermediaries are used in England and Wales to facilitate communication between vulnerable witnesses or victims (those with an intellectual disability or mental illness) and police investigators or criminal courts. The paper focuses on the need for early identification of these people so that support measures can be put in place from the outset to assist them to provide their testimony. The authors note that real progress has been made through the introduction of legislation, specifically the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act (1999), and the uptake by the police service of the subsequent special measures put in place. However, they warn that the criminal justice service cannot afford to be complacent as research demonstrates that the police and the courts need to be more effective in managing these issues. The paper concludes with recommendations. It is noted that the vulnerable witnesses are also interviewed by other agencies and best practice from policing should be shared, for example with the Independent Police Complaints Commission, HM Customs and Revenue, the Department of Health and the Department of Work and Pensions.
Interviewing adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- GUDJONSSON Gisli H., JOYCE Theresa
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 5(2), March 2011, pp.16-21.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
People with intellectual disabilities are recognised as being at a disadvantage when coming into contact with the criminal justice system as victims, witnesses or suspects. Their disadvantage relates to all components of the criminal justice system, but the focus in this paper is on police interviews and the capacity of adults with intellectual disabilities to give evidence in Court. The aim of the paper is to consider the research evidence on the relevant vulnerabilities and most effective ways of interviewing people with intellectual disabilities, and to outline some practical guidance on how those working with people with intellectual disabilities can ensure that they enable them to give an account of the difficulties they may be experiencing. Research into the types of vulnerability seen by people interviewed by police have focused on interviewees' understanding of the Oath and their legal rights, suggestibility, acquiescence, compliance and perceptions of the consequences of making self-incriminating admissions. The essential components of any interview and testifying in court require that the person can communicate effectively and give reliable answers and accounts of events. Research into police interviews has highlighted the importance of taking into account the interviewee's vulnerabilities and providing appropriate support. The research suggests a need for a more humane approach to interviews and legal reforms to protect vulnerable people testifying in Court.