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Criminology-Review
Criminal Justice Research Review
Ricciardelli, R., Bell, J., & Clow, K. (2009). Student attitudes toward wrongful conviction, Canadian Journal of Criminology & Criminal Justice, 51(3), 411-427.
There has been considerable research addressing the underlying factors regarding wrongful conviction; however, minimal research has been completed that investigates attitudes toward wrongful conviction. First and third year Canadian undergraduate students in criminal and non-criminal justice majors were surveyed to determine their attitudes toward various facets of wrongful conviction, the need to educate criminal justice personnel regarding contributing factors to wrongful conviction, the Blackstone ratio ("better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer), and the question as to whether wrongful conviction causes individuals to lose faith in the criminal justice system.
The problem was sufficiently narrowed down into a researchable problem, and is certainly formidable enough to warrant formal research efforts. The authors complete a significant comparison to the most recent and relevant research and identify the problem in relation to it. The literature is logically and clearly organized and provides a relevant review and critique of pertinent studies. In a prior study by the same researchers, they determined that criminal justice students were at times more keenly aware of the underlying factors that can lead to wrongful conviction than non-criminal justice students; specifically with regard to the fallibility of hard evidence such as confessions, misinterpretation of DNA evidence, eye witness testimony, etc. In this current study the researchers build upon the prior research by investigating whether these differences in knowledge correspond to differing attitudes as well. The researchers hypothesis are: (1) Criminal justice students differ in their attitudes toward wrongful conviction in comparison to other students; (2)...
There were 107 men and 172 women. Seven pilot tested items were created to determine student attitudes toward wrongful conviction, with a scale numerically appointed from strong disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). Questionnaires were administered electronically over a period of two months.
Multivariate ANOVA between participant attitudes toward the frequency of wrongful conviction was used. Chi square tests were conducted on the ratio of wrongful convictions students considered acceptable. The statistical test used seems appropriate to meet the needs of the study. The charts and graphs were clear with a ledger provided for additional clarity. The result section was logically organized.
Results indicate 3rd year criminal justice students are more sensitive than their peers to issues surrounding wrongful conviction, and the program of study significantly affects their feelings regarding specific aspects of wrongful conviction.Findings cannot be generalized effectively to the larger population in that only one school in Canada was the source of the sample.
Baskin, D & Sommers, I. (2011). Solving residential burglaries in the United States: The impact of forensic evidence on case outcomes, International Journal of Police Science & Management, 13(1), 70-86.
Current research has focused on the processing of…
Hickle, K., & Roe-Sepowitz, D. (2010). Female juvenile arsonists: An exploratory look at characteristics and solo and group arson offences, Legal and Criminological Psychology, 15, 385-399.
The purpose of the study was to examine a sample of 114 female juveniles charged with arson in a large juvenile justice system, as there is limited descriptive literature about female juvenile arsonists. The methodology included looking into familial characteristics, abuse, neglect, school related issues, mental health, substance abuse, and crime characteristics. Individual and group offenders were explored in depth, and were followed over a five-year period of time.
The literature review was very detailed and provided comparative as well as empirical information that highlighted the current gap that this study was designed to address. T test and chi square tests were used to establish whether the 86 that were excluded from the study demonstrated any significant differences than those who participated in the study. The 114 females included represented 22 counties in the state of Florida. The supervision Risk Classification Instrument was completed by juvenile probation officers within 6 hours of custody. This is a standard tool used for all juvenile offenders. It was difficult to discern from the study whether or not the participants assented to participation in the study, or whether it was required. The study did indicate that permission for the study was granted by the Florida Juvenile Justice Review board. The research design is appropriate to address the research problem; and issues of internal and external validity are adequately addressed. Data collection instruments are adequately described and the statistical tests are correct for answering the questions posited by the hypothesis.
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