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Criminal justice research presents a unique set of ethical challenges. Two of the most significant ethical challenges include the need to protect participant confidentiality, and the need to pursue research that promotes social justice. Lowman & Palys (2001) analyze some of the ethical and legal threats to confidentiality, showing how criminal justice researchers can balance their legal and ethical obligations with their commitment to research efficacy, validity, and reliability. Nouwen (2014), on the other hand, is concerned with the research questions and methodologies used to investigate issues related to social justice, advocacy, and human rights. Both of these are important issues to consider when designing and applying criminal justice research.Criminal justice research frequently involves situations in which participants divulge sensitive information about a crime they were involved in, a crime they witnessed, or a criminal justice procedure they participated in such as the arrest or processing of an offender. In situations like these, the researcher does remain ethically bound to confidentiality agreements. However, Lowman & Palys (2001) point out four main areas of potential conflict with confidentiality: when there is a statutory obligation to report a crime divulged, when the researcher has the power to prevent a future crime, nongovernmental...
As Lowman & Palys (2001) note, subpoenas are categorically different because they place a legal burden on the researcher. It is therefore important to apply what is known as the Wigmore test, whereby the situation is analyzed according to four criteria. If the following four criteria are all met, then the researcher remains obliged, ethically if not legally, to protect confidentiality. First, the confidence needs to have been explicitly guaranteed such as through an informed consent agreement. Second, confidentiality must be deemed essential to maintain the relationship between researcher and participant. Third, the relationship between researcher and participant needs to add value to the community. Finally, the damage done from disclosure is deemed greater than the benefit of breaking confidentiality.
Confidentiality issues are not the only potential ethical challenge for criminal justice researchers. Nouwen (2014) discusses the role of the researcher in international criminal justice, human rights, and advocacy law. While the goal of the researcher remains seeking justice, the goals of the research may be less lofty in nature. There are specific, immediate challenges to research ethics when investigations are being conducted in the midst of conflict, war, or abject poverty. Nouwen…
Ethics-CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Details of the Source When does police mistake become murder? The Christian Science Monitor, Date of publication: 04-05-1999, Summary of Facts Racial profiling is probably the biggest concern of minorities groups in our country because it has been the cause of numerous injustices against them. Our law enforcement agencies appear to be ruthlessly biased in their exercise of duty as is clear from this article. The author shows that racial profiling has resulted
Criminal Justice System: Ethics in Criminal Procedure Ethics refers to the principles of morality that govern an individual's behavior. Ethics, therefore, provides the basis through which an individual defines, and distinguishes between the good and the bad. This implies that it is ethics that provides the framework for the duties and responsibilities an individual owes to himself, and to the community. Today, ethics define how corporations, professionals, and individuals relate with
Criminal Justice: On September 18 at around 2:30 PM, the victim, a famous citizen in the community was assaulted and robbed of his wallet by the defendant on his way home. The victim was not only assaulted but he was also pushed against his car and threatened with a knife. The crime generated huge media attention because of the victim's popularity as calls for speedy arrest and conviction of the criminal
Ethics in Criminal Justice: The police function has continued to be the most needed elements since the beginning of the existence of human societies because social coordination and harmony have never prospered without some kind of supervisory authority. The supervisory authority or power has usually been shared among several agencies or departments including policing. These various departments have been planned and synchronized to provide the service efficiently and effectively. Since its
A written policy regarding sexual misconduct is imperative, as is stringent hiring practices including applicant screening, adequate supervision, training, and a structured investigative process regarding allegations of sexual misconduct (Abner et al., 2011). Addressing Sexual Offenses further states that it is necessary to clearly outline the consequences for sexual misconduct as a means of deterring it (Abner et al., 2011). Additionally, Addressing Sexual Offenses outlines other strategies which need
Criminal Justice Law enforcement Some things are fundamental to the history and progressive development of human society. The evolution of technology brings with it new challenges in the management of the security of the state. For this motive that law enforcement systems is set in the society to maintain and promote law and order (Law enforcement, 2002). Law enforcement systems act in organized manner, in the process of promoting adherence to the