AC 1.2

• What is the purpose of investigative techniques in crime investigations?

  To assess the usefulness of a range of methods and techniques to investigate crime
• What does the term "intelligence" refer to in the context of police investigations?


  • Information obtained from various sources
  • Often includes confidential sources
  • Recorded and evaluated for use in investigations
• What does the Police National Database contain?

  Intelligence about suspected criminal activity and over 3.5 billion searchable records
• How many linked databases make up the Police National Database?

  220 linked databases
• What type of information does the Police National Computer (PNC) store?

  Details of over 12 million people's arrests, convictions, and police cautions
• What is the purpose of the Gangs Matrix?

  To hold information on suspected gang members
• What criticism has been directed at the Gangs Matrix?

  It has been criticized as racially discriminatory
• What significant event occurred in 2017 regarding the Gangs Matrix?

  Over 1,000 young Black men were removed from the database
• What does the Crimint database hold information about?

  Criminals, suspects, and protestors
• What types of international databases can UK police access?

  Databases that share information between police forces in different countries
• What is the main focus of forensic techniques?

  To assist in investigating crime through scientific techniques and tests
• What types of evidence can forensic evidence include?

  • Biological material (blood, semen, skin flakes, hair)
  • Fingerprints and shoeprints
  • Weapons and items from clothing
  • Paint flakes and other items
• Why is it essential to control access to a crime scene?

  To avoid contaminating forensic evidence
• What has DNA analysis achieved in forensic science?

  It has made significant progress in solving serious crimes
• What is unique about each person's DNA profile?

  Each person's DNA profile is unique, except for identical twins
• Who developed DNA profiling and when?

  Alec Jeffreys developed DNA profiling in 1985
• What was the first case where DNA profiling was used?

  It was used to investigate the rape and murder of two girls in Leicestershire in 1983
• How did DNA profiling help in the case of Colin Pitchfork?

  It matched DNA evidence from the crime scene to Pitchfork, leading to his conviction
• What role did witness evidence play in Colin Pitchfork's case?

  Witness evidence enabled police to catch him after DNA analysis indicated his guilt
• How can relatives' DNA profiles assist in criminal investigations?

  They can help identify perpetrators due to similar DNA profiles
• What was the outcome of the Colette Aram case regarding DNA technology?

  Police developed a profile of her killer using advances in DNA technology
• What are some problems associated with DNA evidence?

  Contamination of DNA evidence can lead to miscarriages of justice
• What can lead to contamination of DNA evidence?

  Improper handling and collection of samples
• What is a limitation of matching DNA samples to suspects?


  The offender or a close relative must already be on the National DNA Database
• What are civil liberties concerns regarding DNA data retention?

  Concerns exist about police retaining DNA data from individuals not convicted of a crime
• What is the approximate cost of analyzing DNA samples?

  Around £20
• What is the purpose of CCTV in criminal investigations?

  • To monitor and record activities in a location
  • Provides 24-hour coverage
  • Helps identify perpetrators through recorded evidence
• What are some limitations of CCTV surveillance?

  CCTV cannot follow a target around corners and may have poor quality images
• What is covert surveillance?

  • Planned surveillance where subjects are unaware
  • Can include tracking devices, intercepting mail, and static surveillance
  • Involves highly trained mobile surveillance teams
• What are Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHS)?


  Individuals who maintain a relationship with a target to gain information covertly
• What are some criticisms of covert surveillance?

  It may involve unwarranted intrusions and entrapment
• What distinguishes surveillance from observation in police work?

  Surveillance is pre-planned, while observation is spontaneous
• What is eye-witness testimony (EWT)?

  EWT is the evidence given by a witness to a crime
• Why might juries place too much faith in eye-witness testimony?

  Juries often give more weight to EWT than to other types of evidence
• What did the Innocence Project find regarding wrongful convictions?

  Over 70% of wrongful convictions involved eye-witness misidentification
• What are the three aspects of memory related to eye-witness testimony?

  1. Acquisition: Witnessing and absorbing the event

  2. Retention: Storing the information

  3. Retrieval: Recalling the memory
• What factors affect memory acquisition?

  Duration, time of day, time distortion, and violence distraction
• How does weapon focus affect witness memory?

  Witnesses may focus on the weapon, impairing their ability to remember details about the offender
• What affects memory retention over time?

  Memory traces fade over time, but memory for faces does not
• How can discussions with other witnesses affect memory retrieval?

  They can enhance recall but may also reduce accuracy