The importance of ethics in criminal investigation

Sexual Assault and Homicide

The ethical dilemmas of investigation and prosecution

The concept of criminal justice is ingrained with the concern for justice for the victims of crime balanced with the proper treatment of those accused of wrongdoing . During the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault and homicide there are varying ethical dilemmas which come into play at various stages including the investigation prosecution , plea bargaining , and punishment

Ethics is the application of morality . According to Leighton (2000 ethics is ' the search for principles that justify the moral standards that

we seek to apply

Sexual assaults are morally reprehensible to most people in society . The investigation of an assault follows pretty standard procedures . The police conduct an investigation , gather evidence examining the crime scene and talking to any witnesses

They may also identify and collect any physical evidence and collect specimens that may be used as evidence if criminal charges are d If they are investigating a rape and they have a suspect but not enough evidence they may be tempted to violate the law or the suspects rights in to trap someone who may otherwise be set free . However , since police are responsible for the investigation of a crime they must follow the constraints set by their department , city ordinances or state laws To reduce this dilemma it is imperative that investigators follow proper procedures , chains of evidence and other procedural policies without inserting their personal beliefs about the victim or the suspect . The ramification of a wrong...