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Abstract

Previous studies indicate that being observed can influence human behavior. The use of body-warn cameras by police officers has been found to have positive effects on their behavior, increasing their honesty, transparency, and ethics. However, crime scene investigators are not commonly and routinely observed. Given that contamination of forensic evidence at crime scenes can lead to miscarriages of justice, this study aimed to observe novice crime scene investigators with a particular focus on anti-contamination measures. Participants were divided into two groups: experimental (overt recording), and control (covert recording). The findings revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups' compliance with anti-contamination procedures. This suggests that the behavior of real crime scene investigators may not be significantly affected by the presence of CCTV cameras and would not be if wearing BWCs. Nevertheless, due to the study's limitations, including sample size, participants' academic background, demographic factors, and level of experience, additional research is required to support or refuse these findings, and to better comprehend whether video-recording devices could influence human behavior in a forensic investigation context.

Course: Forensic Investigation - MSc - P3494FTC

Date Deposited: 2024-11-18

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14517.html