AC 3.1

• What questions should be considered when evaluating the accuracy of information sources?

  Is the information accurate or inaccurate, factual or opinion, and biased or impartial?
• What sources of information are examined in relation to criminal justice?

  • Evidence
  • Trial transcripts
  • The media
  • Court judgments
  • Law reports
• What is meant by the validity of an information source?


  It refers to how far the source provides true and correct information that can be relied upon.
• How can tabloid press coverage affect jurors?

  It can prejudice jurors against the defendant and lead to an invalid verdict.
• What types of evidence may be ruled inadmissible in court?

  Hearsay evidence and confessions obtained by threats.
• What factors determine the reliability of evidence presented in a trial?


  Accuracy, witness honesty, and document authenticity.
• What does it mean for evidence to be credible?

  It means the evidence is believable given the circumstances.
• How does the prosecution's requirement for evidence to convince the CPS indicate its validity?

  It suggests that the evidence may be valid, but it is not guaranteed.
• What is the significance of eye-witness testimony in trials?

  Juries tend to give a lot of weight to eye-witness testimony, but it is not always valid.
• What factors can affect the accuracy of eye-witness testimony?


  The time of the event, discussions with others, the time elapsed since the event, and the way questions are posed in court.
• What is 'weapon focus' in the context of eye-witness testimony?

  It refers to witnesses not forming a detailed memory of other aspects due to focusing on the weapon involved.
• What role do expert witnesses play in trials?

  They provide specialized knowledge and opinions on complex technical matters.
• What risks are associated with relying on expert evidence?

  It can lead to miscarriages of justice if the evidence is inaccurate or presented as scientific fact.
• Who was Sir Roy Meadow and what was his role in miscarriages of justice?

  He was an expert whose inaccurate testimony contributed to wrongful convictions in child death cases.
• What was the significance of the Birmingham Six case?

  It involved wrongful convictions based on flawed forensic evidence.
• What is a trial transcript?

  A complete and exact written record of every word spoken in court.
• How are trial transcripts created in modern courts?

  They are recorded digitally using the Digital Audio Recording Transcription and Storage system.
• What are the uses of trial transcripts?

  They can be used in appeals and by the Parole Board for considering parole applications.
• Why are trial transcripts considered valid sources of information?

  They are seen as accurate and unbiased accounts of what was spoken in court.
• What limitations exist regarding the reliability of trial transcripts?

  There is a small risk of malfunctioning technology and human error in transcription.
• How does political bias manifest in media coverage?

  Different media outlets may support specific political parties, affecting their coverage of crime and justice issues.
• What is the impact of sensationalized media coverage on public perception of crime?

  It can distort the actual amount or severity of criminality occurring.
• What is 'trial by media'?


  It refers to the negative portrayal of suspects in the media, often based on stereotypes.
• How can unconscious bias affect court judgments?

  It can lead to unfair judgments influenced by stereotypes or personal beliefs.
• What is 'weapon bias' as found in studies of police behavior?

  It refers to the tendency of police officers to shoot unarmed Black suspects more than unarmed White suspects.
• How do gender stereotypes influence juror decisions in rape trials?

  Jurors may use victims' lack of physical injury or emotional response as reasons for not guilty verdicts.
• How can personal political views of judges affect their rulings?

  Judges' personal political views can influence their decisions and judgments in cases.
• What can influence the judgement of jurors during a trial?

  Unconscious biases can influence the judgement of jurors.
• What is the effect known as weapon bias?

  Weapon bias refers to the tendency of individuals to be more likely to shoot unarmed Black suspects than unarmed White suspects.
• What did Plant and Feuche's research reveal about police officers' decisions?

  They found that US police officers were more likely to shoot unarmed Black suspects than unarmed White ones.
• How do unconscious assumptions affect jurors in rape trials according to Ellison and Munro?

  Jurors used victims' lack of physical injury or emotional response as reasons for not guilty verdicts.
• What risk is associated with judges' personal political views?

  There is a risk that their personal political views will influence their judgements.
• Who was General Pinochet?


  General Pinochet was a former Chilean dictator who seized power in a military coup in 1973.
• What was the outcome of the House of Lords' ruling regarding Pinochet's immunity?


  The House of Lords ruled that Pinochet had no immunity from arrest.
• Why did the House of Lords reverse its decision on Pinochet's case?

  They reversed the decision on the grounds of bias due to Lord Hoffman's undisclosed links with Amnesty International.
• What does the phrase "justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done" imply?


  It implies that the appearance of fairness in the judicial process is as important as the actual fairness.
• What is the role of state-funded legal representation at inquests?

  • Public organizations like the police receive state-funded legal representation.
  • Families of the deceased do not have automatic entitlement to legal aid.
  • This situation is argued to be a form of institutional bias.
• What tragic event occurred on 15 April 1989 at Hillsborough Stadium?

  96 Liverpool fans died and 766 were injured in a crush during an FA Cup semi-final.
• What caused the crush at Hillsborough Stadium?

  The crush occurred after the police match commander ordered an exit gate to be opened, leading to a surge of supporters into overcrowded pens.
• What was the initial response of the police during the Hillsborough disaster?


  Some police tried to stop fans from escaping the pens, believing it to be a pitch invasion.