Homocide co-victims: confidence in the criminal justice system
Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice
ISSN: 2056-3841
Article publication date: 19 September 2019
Issue publication date: 19 September 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address the phenomenology of family members of homicide victims; known as “co-victims”. In particular, co-victims experiences of the criminal justice system (CJS) in England and Wales.
Design/methodology/approach
In 2018, 10 kV methodology facilitated an electronic-focus group. Anonymously, volunteers from families of homicide victims responded to key questions in a session entitled “a conversation which matters: confidence”. The thematic analysis presents the responses to three questions around “what works” and “what does not” in CJS practice.
Findings
The responses indicate four themes in relation to confidence building: communication and information; outcome; honesty and fairness; and family support. Responses indicate three themes in relation to what the CJS does well: family liaison officers, homicide detectives and court services. Responses indicate three themes in relation to what is not working: court proceedings, police budget cuts and preventative interventions.
Research limitations/implications
The research considers benefits and limitations of methodology and makes suggestions for how these facets could be addressed by future research.
Practical implications
The research findings reveal good practice and points for attention to support confidence building in the CJS. Amongst other considerations, the work advances CJS practical good practice principles from the perspective of co-victims: education, interpersonal relations, working together, communication and justice.
Originality/value
Findings are of value to CJS policy makers, training and education for co-victim support, police and academics.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author(s) declared no conflicting interests with respect to the research, authorship, and/or the publication of this article. Research was funded by a large Metropolitan Police Force in the UK. Professor J. Crego facilitated the 10 kV event but no money was exchanged, no private company or persons has financially benefited from the data gathering. The authors have been given permission by the constabulary to publish the findings anonymously. The authors would like to thank the constabulary who supported the dissemination and acknowledge the participants.
Citation
Brown, E. and Crego, J. (2019), "Homocide co-victims: confidence in the criminal justice system", Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice, Vol. 5 No. 3, pp. 240-252. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCRPP-03-2019-0020
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited