Helping criminal justice system users: utilising specially trained dogs

It has been shown that dogs can have numerous beneficial effects on individuals, for example, being able to alleviate stress (Aydin, et al., 2012). Countries such as USA, Portugal and Canada, have expanded such use of dogs and use specially trained courthouse dogs to accompany witnesses whilst testifying but also, for example, during medical examinations (Sandoval, 2012). Recently, in England and Wales, specially trained dogs have been introduced into the Criminal Justice System. However, there is currently no evidence evaluating such initiatives worldwide and most information on the effects a specially trained dog can have on individuals is anecdotal. The aim of this talk is to present current knowledge on using specially trained dogs within the Criminal Justice System. It is also to provide preliminary results from a selection of our studies exploring the use of specially trained dogs as viewed by the public and as viewed by court users who were offered this service. Preliminary results show benefits of using specially trained dogs within the Criminal Justice System when approached with care and when dog is appropriate/appropriately trained

Dogs in the criminal justice system: consideration of facility and therapy dogs

It is known that the criminal justice process is most often perceived as a negative experience by victims, witnesses, as well as defendants. Whilst measures have been put into place across the globe to improve their experiences, there is still much more which needs to be done, especially as the process can involve secondary victimisation of those participating in it and prolonged trauma. The current opinion piece centres on the use of trained dogs to help the experiences of criminal justice system users during active cases. Whilst this practice is mostly used in North America, hints at bringing varying types of dogs into the criminal justice system are visible elsewhere, too. With the criminal justice users in mind, it is key to establish, from the offset, the positives of such service, but also be very aware of its limitations and challenges, in order for the service delivering what it aims without causing a disruption to the criminal justice process or its users. This piece provides a theoretical and practical analysis of topics surrounding the use of specially trained dogs to support criminal justice system users with the view of highlighting our lack of knowledge on the topic and practical challenges of this service

Specially trained dogs in the UK criminal justice system

For over 20 years specially trained dogs have been used to help support witnesses throughout the criminal justice system in North America. Whilst anecdotal evidence has found these practices to be highly successful in comforting witnesses, to date, there has been no empirical research to support this evidence. Furthermore, this type of service has yet to be explored within a UK context. Recently however, researchers from Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) have been working to explore these benefits and provide the first global evaluation within the area. The current article explores the benefits of using specially trained dogs in the criminal justice system, along with introducing readers to the current research agenda being carried out, and highlighting some of the preliminary results from the research. Overall, building this type of evidence base could further open up these practices to a number of countries, including the UK

Facility dogs as a tool for building rapport and credibility with child witnesses

The present student examined the perspectives of legal professionals in relation to the use of facility dogs in building rapport and credibility with child witnesses. 70 legal professionals from across North America, who had experience interviewing children, both with and without the use of a facility dog, were recruited to take part in the study. Utilising a holistic mixed-method design, data was collected via an online questionnaire, which asked participants about the impact they felt a facility dog had on rapport and witness credibility during police interviews with children. The results highlighted the positive impact that facility dogs have on child witnesses, not only in helping build rapport and witness credibility, but also for creating a more positive experience for young witnesses going through the criminal justice process. The results therefore provide evidence for the consideration of these dogs in countries beyond North America, as they provide an invaluable service to young witnesses

The use of facility dogs to bridge the justice gap for survivors of sexual offending

The current study investigated the support that a facility dog can provide to survivors of sexual crimes when undergoing video-recorded police interviews. In total, 13 survivors of sexual offences, who were undergoing a video-recorded interview, were provided with a facility dog for the interview process. For each case, data were collected via interviews, observations and surveys. Using a multiple case study approach, qualitative data were analysed to identify patterns, with observational and survey data used to provide further support to these outcomes. A total of four main themes emerged from the data: (1) a change in focus for the survivor, (2) a difference in the survivors’ engagement, (3) the dog as a comforter to keep the survivor calm and (4) a positive environment. Overall, the findings suggest that the facility dog provided a much needed and beneficial service to survivors, helping them feel calmer and more comfortable. The dog also provided survivors with a more positive environment, allowing them to focus on the interview and communicate more openly about their experiences. The current study, therefore, presents very positive findings relating to improving survivors’ perspectives of justice within the framework of kaleidoscopic justice, bridging their perceived justice gap

Exploring the impact of specially trained dogs on the court experiences of survivors of sexual offending in England and Wales: an exploratory case study

The current research explored the impact of specially trained dogs on the experiences of survivors of sexual offending in an English and Welsh court environment. In total, five cases of survivors of sexual offences were provided with a specially trained dog during court proceedings. In each case, data were collected from several sources, including interviews, observations and various documentations. Using a thorough multiple case study design, data were analysed both within and across each case to identify any individual and thematic patterns. The within-case analysis found that the dog aided survivors in becoming calmer and less anxious. The across-case analysis indicated five reoccurring themes pertaining to the survivor: (1) Impact of court context, (2) Emotional impact of dog on survivors, (3) Physical impact of dog on survivors, (4) Change in anchoring due to presence of the dog, (5) The uniqueness of a dog as a companion. The findings also highlighted important considerations when utilising such services to support survivors at court. Overall, these results identified a large amount of benefits to not only the survivors, but also their families and other supporting individuals, providing the first global evaluation of such service for survivors of sexual offending which should aid in considering the introduction of this service internationally. It is thus recommended that the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales explores the use of this service further

Preventing and countering CSE in SE Kent school-based peer mentorship schemes

This report describes a range of routes through which CSE could be tackled within a school setting. CSE is closely linked to deficits in social, economic and psychological capital as suggested by research exploring adverse childhood experiences. It follows that a preventative response to CSE needs to be varied and flexible, encompassing a multitude of agencies, areas, treatment and delivery to address interrelated effects. In practice, this means ensuring that CSE is tackled not just by a stand-alone initiative such as a peer mentoring scheme but through a wider body of work which starts early in a young person’s life, is sustained and incorporates other points of contact such as PSHE, pastoral and other school services. The important role for young people in tackling CSE is a thread that ran through our scoping. Young people are undeniably experts in their own preferences and what will engage and motivate them and their peers and, with appropriate support and guidance, they can become intrinsic to a successful initiative. It should be emphasised however, that young mentors require a support structure around them which should comprise robust initial and ongoing training, access to expert advice and regular opportunities for debriefs with trained adults

Investigative challenges relating to gang-related homicide: senior investigating officers’ perspectives

Purpose This paper aims to provide the reader with Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) perspectives of their understanding of gang-related homicide and associated investigative challenges. Design/methodology/approach Phenomenological design was utilised in this study. Fifteen SIOs from the Metropolitan Police Service were interviewed using a semi-structured interview and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings It was found that the original typology of ‘gang homicide’ might be too narrow and focus should be paid to ‘gang-related homicide’, characterised via motive behind the offence. This type of homicide exhibited specific characteristics (e.g. violent nature, large potential scene and pool of suspects) and investigative challenges which made it different from other types of homicide (e.g. complexity; need for more resources; managing unwilling witnesses; managing media interest; specific evidence challenges, need for thorough risk assessments). The need for expertise in the deployment of officers was highlighted and related to the desire for more continuing professional development. Practical Implications -Gang-related homicide is especially challenging but due to its volume, SIOs in London developed a sort of ‘muscle memory’ – something that other police services do not have, even though the ‘gang problem’ is spreading outside of metropolitan areas -Support for changes (e.g. in the utility of Community Impact Assessment) and non-standard procedures (e.g. consideration of covert operations early on) should be discussed in further training and manual development -More attention needs to be paid to the synthesis of experience, expertise and science, SIOs being especially interested in debriefs and continuing professional development opportunities. Multi-agency training is key for homicide investigators, relating to the complex nature of gang related homicide and relevant safeguarding issues. -Resourcing is a clear issue relating to the increase in gang-related homicide, as well as its investigation Originality/value This is the first research into investigative challenges of gang-related homicide in England and Wales and the findings can be utilised by all police services who may be dealing with gangs in their area. The findings can also support calls for change and development within services

Bonds in gangs: understanding the importance of group processes within street gangs

Although the social psychological contributions made within recent years have provided input to further understanding of the key factors that influence gang members, there is still much that remains unknown in the area. Criminological theories and research have highlighted the importance of group processes in gang membership, but it is only recently that specific group processes have received psychological research consideration. This chapter considers the importance of viewing gangs as groups, and of identifying the individual group processes that may impact on gang members’ social cognitive processes. Importantly, it outlines the relevance of how gang members perceive specific group processes to the area, and presents unpublished data to outline how individual social cognition and the choices made by gang members to join or form gangs link to group processes. Gaps in knowledge are discussed and addressed as are implications for theoretical advancement and intervention developments. Conclusions focus on the significance of studying group processes in gangs, particularly gang members’ perceptions of their importance, and how ignoring them could contribute to failure of interventions