Home Affairs - Fourth Report

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Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 22 October 2002.

CONTENTS

Terms of Reference

REPORT

INTRODUCTION




THE INVESTIGATION

A definition of trawling

The dangers of trawling for evidence

The experience of the accused: case examples

The conduct of police investigations

Approaching potential complainants and other witnesses

Interviewing potential complainants and other witnesses

Following up other lines of inquiry

The Senior Investigating Officers' Handbook

Victim support services




PROSECUTION AND TRIAL

The role of the Crown Prosecution Service
Disclosure

The difficulties faced by the defendant

Options for reform

A time limit on prosecutions of offences relating to child abuse

Safeguards against abuse of process

Reform of similar fact evidence, joinder and severance

Extension of anonymity to the accused




THE 'COMPENSATION FACTOR'

The risks of inducing false allegations
The working relationship between personal injury solicitors and the police

Civil compensation and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme

Vicarious liability

Other options for reform

Other factors




MISCARRIAGES OF JUSTICE

The Criminal Cases Review Commission




CONCLUSIONS

SUMMARY OF KEY CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

APPENDIX

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE RELATING TO THE REPORT

LISTS OF WITNESSES

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE - VOLUME I (HC 836-I)

Tuesday 26 February 2002
Tuesday 30 April 2002
Tuesday 14 May 2002
Tuesday 21 May 2002
Tuesday 11 June 2002
Tuesday 18 June 2002
Thursday 20 June 2002
Tuesday 25 June 2002
Thursday 11 July 2002

LIST OF SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES SUBMITTED BY WITNESSES (FOLLOWING ORAL EVIDENCE SESSIONS)

LIST OF MEMORANDA

MEMORANDA

LIST OF UNPRINTED MEMORANDA

PREVIOUS REPORTS

 

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Prepared 31 October 2002