Annotated Bibliography For Criminal Justice

This first week the assignment was to Define crime, its relationship to the law, and the two most common models of how society determines which acts are criminal, Describe the government structure as it applies to the criminal justice system, Identify choice theories and the their assumptions in regards to crime, Describe the components of the criminal justice system and the criminal justice process, Identify the goals of the criminal justice system.

The second primary cause of wrongful conviction is due to unreliable or improper forensic science and forensic misconduct. The Innocence Project asserts that most forensic science (e.g., analysis of hair, bite marks, fire arms, and tool marks) has not been thoroughly and scientifically evaluated

Chavis, Benjamin F., Jr. "U.S. Criminal Justice System Needs Urgent Reform." Washington Informer, Mar 2015, pp. 24-24,41, Global News stream; ProQuest Central, http://ezproxy.gsu.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.gsu.edu/docview/1669733723?accountid=11226.

The Public Policy of Crime and Criminal Justice, by Nancy E. Marion and Willard M. Oliver. Published by Prentice Hall. Copyright © 2006 by Pearso

This research report researched hundreds of cases where post-conviction DNA was used in cases of exoneration. This researched preformed different tests on available physical evidence. This research report is full of data and case studies to be compared to.

Abstract: Over the past twenty years, advancement in DNA technology has directly led to the exoneration of nearly 300 people in the United States. In addition to these scientific advancements, a growing body of literature has focused on the significant roles eyewitness misidentification, so-called “jailhouse snitches,” and false confessions have played in contributing to wrongful convictions in U.S. courts. The aim of this paper is to examine the occurrence of wrongful conviction in criminal trials and the effect of DNA testing on bringing attention to the alarming frequency of these unjust judicial outcomes. Through an examination of previous wrongful conviction research and appellate court rulings, this paper will also explore the extent to which permitting wrongful convictions to be upheld constitutes a violation of civil liberties. Finally, this paper will discuss an important contradiction that advancements in science have exposed within our criminal justice system; while DNA technology and other advanced forensic techniques are increasingly being relied upon to secure criminal convictions, the justice system seems to be correspondingly reluctant to consider these forms of evidence for the

Every time an innocent person is exonerated based on DNA testing, law enforcement agencies look at what caused the wrongful convictions. There are many issues that contribute to putting guiltless lives behind bars including: eyewitness misidentification, false confessions, imperfect forensic science, and more (Gould and Leo 18). When a witness is taken into a police station to identify a suspect, it is easy for their memories to be blurred and their judgment influenced. This can lead the witness to identify a suspect who is actually innocent. Flawed forensic science practice also contributes to wrongful imprisonments. In the past, analysts have been inaccurate due to carelessness, testified in court presenting evidence that was not based

In 1967, the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice called for a revolution in the approach to crime. As a result, the commission developed seven specific goals that are relevant in the twenty-first century: prevent crimes, adopt new ways of dealing with offenders, eliminate injustice and unfairness, upgrade personnel, conduct research to find new and effective ways to control crime, appropriate the necessary funds to accomplish the goals, and involve all elements of society in

The definition of forensic science is any scientific research, method, or theory used to analyze evidence in an attempt to solve legal cases (Cho). In recent years, there has been growing public interest in forensic science, arguably because of the numerous television programs that glamorize its practices. This phenomenon is part of what is known as the CSI effect, or the process through which devoted fans of popular crime dramas develop unrealistic notions of forensic science methods, practices, and their applications in real life cases (Mancini 544; Stevens 37; Ley, Jankowski, and Brewer 52). The CSI effect has had more negative impacts on forensic science and society than positive impacts, especially in regards to what goes on in the

The National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) is a federally funded resource that was established in 1972 that offers statistical data and information that can be used to support programs, policy and also to support research (NCJRS, n.d.). The website offers a large array of publications, statistical data and hyperlinks to pretty much all information that would be pertinent in the criminal justice field.

As an instrumental character in the adversarial process the American Criminal Justice system uses, the impact of DNA evidence directly affects the way prosecutors present their case during trial. When a prosecutor introduced DNA forensic evidence to the American courtroom in 1987, that DNA forensic evidence was the catalyst that secured the conviction of a rapist, Tommie Lee Andrews, in Orange County, Florida (State

Ager, A W. Crime and Poverty in 19th-Century England: The Economy of Makeshifts., 2014. Print.

Forensic science is defined as the practice of utilizing scientific methodologies to clarify judicial inquiries. The field of forensic science contains a broad range of disciplines and has become a vital aspect of criminal investigations. Some forensic disciplines are laboratory-based; while others are based on an analyst’s interpretation of observable patterns (Kourtsounis, 2009). According to the Innocence project’s website; in greater than fifty percent of wrongful convictions, the use of invalidated or improper forensic techniques played a role in cases; which were later

Forensic psychology is such a fascinating branch of psychology even though it appears to be relatively young. The interest of the public towards this field has really taken a foothold with its numerous portrayals in books and television. The forensic psychologist is always depicted as the wise and perceptive seer of sorts on the stand, the one who is able to decipher entire circumstances instantly, to sway the most reserved of jurors and stamp the seal of conviction on even the craftiest of villains. There is an undeniable allure about the union of psychology and law. The renderings we see of forensic psychology certainly make for an enjoyable story however the reality of this discipline is just as incredible. Even though real life forensic