NCJ Number
100171
Journal
Criminal Law Review Dated: (July 1984) Pages: 537-543
Date Published
1984
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This document describes the procedures used by the British Steering Committee established in January 1983 to field test the feasibility of tape recording police interviews and interrogations for use as evidence.
Abstract
The procedures encompass the scope of tape recording, exceptions to the requirement, the equipment to be used, and the characteristics of interview facilities. Also provided are guidelines for handling suspect objections to the recording and the police preparation of the recording for presentation as evidence. The prosecutor's role in processing the tape recording, defense access to it, and the officer's presentation of the recording as evidence at trial are reviewed. The intent of the field test is to determine whether the tape recording of police interviews impacts the number of guilty pleas and the average trial length. Local committees have been established under judicial chairmanship to oversee the field trials, resolve local problems, and report to the Steering Committee.