Question 1

In the context of vulnerable witnesses, the term "attrition" refers to the tendency for witnesses to drop out of the various investigative and prosecution phases of the criminal justice system before a successful prosecution is gained.

Accepted Answer

Attrition in this context refers to the gradual reduction in the number of witnesses who continue to participate in the criminal justice process, often due to the challenges and pressures they face, leading to fewer cases being successfully prosecuted.

Question 2

Which of the following is not a fear that has been reported amongst victims and witnesses concerning participation in a prosecution and/or trial?

Accepted Answer

Victims and witnesses often fear harm, rejection, negative reactions, and embarrassment as a result of participating in a prosecution or trial. However, fearing being convicted themselves is not typically a concern for victims and witnesses, as they are not the ones on trial for committing a crime.

Question 3

Common types of cognitive, developmental and socio-emotional factors that can impact on vulnerable witnesses are memory factors, language factors and _______ effects.

Accepted Answer

authority

Question 4

Which Act introduced a number of special measures in 1999, such as giving evidence via a live video link, removal of wigs and gowns by judges and barristers and questioning through intermediaries, to protect vulnerable witnesses during the trial process?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which Act introduced a number of special...

Question 5

The provision of information, familiarisation with the court and its procedures, and liaison between the witness, family, friends and professionals are all examples of pre-trial preparation and support activities that can help to reduce attrition in cases involving vulnerable witnesses.

Accepted Answer

Pre-trial preparation and support activities, such as providing information, familiarizing witnesses with court procedures, and facilitating communication between the witness, their family, friends, and professionals, are crucial in reducing attrition rates by making the legal process less intimidating and more navigable for vulnerable witnesses.

Question 6

The principal aim of the live link, or closed-circuit television, in court is to remove the vulnerable witness from the intimidating and unfamiliar environment of the courtroom, and to spare the witness from facing the defendant in court.

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose of using live link or closed-circuit television in court is indeed to protect vulnerable witnesses from the potentially intimidating atmosphere of the courtroom and to avoid direct confrontation with the defendant, thereby making the process less stressful for them.

Question 7

The Pigot Committee (1989) recommended that it was not appropriate for initial police interviews and subsequent cross-examination to be pre-recorded and used in lieu of live testimony during the trial process.

Accepted Answer

The Pigot Committee actually recommended that it would be appropriate for the initial police interviews of child witnesses to be video recorded and that this recording could be used as their main evidence in chief, to spare them the trauma of live court appearances.

Question 8

One of the primary concerns that defence barristers have regarding pre-recorded trial evidence is that they believe that witnesses will find it easier to lie and deceive if they are not physically present in the courtroom.

Accepted Answer

Defence barristers often express concerns that pre-recorded evidence can make it easier for witnesses to lie or deceive, as the physical presence in a courtroom can exert a psychological pressure on witnesses to tell the truth, and the lack of immediate cross-examination can reduce the effectiveness of challenging a witness's testimony.

Question 9

Which group of vulnerable witnesses is particularly susceptible to the effects of negative emotion, which can lead to inaccurate responses when under "tough" cross-examination?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which group of vulnerable witnesses is particularly...

Question 10

Delays to the processing of cases involving vulnerable witnesses are common. What effect can this have on the witness?

Accepted Answer

Delays in case processing can both affect the memory of vulnerable witnesses, making it harder for them to recall events accurately, and have socio-emotional effects, potentially causing stress, anxiety, or other emotional distress.

Question 11

According to Plotnikoff and Woolfson's (2007a) study of the use of intermediaries, at what stage were intermediaries most commonly used?

Accepted Answer

Intermediaries were most commonly used during the investigative phase and pre-trial stages, as these are critical points where vulnerable witnesses need support to communicate effectively.

Quiz 14: Safeguarding Vulnerable Witnesses