Ethical Considerations

Stage 11- Ethical Considerations
The use of the press, media and other Criminal Justice Systems (CJS) agencies is one that will be given great consideration as it can either assist or hinder a criminal investigation.  It is an area of the investigation that must consider the impact of using the media not only in the investigation of the crime but on the victim/s or victim/s family and the general public as a whole.  Is it right to exploit the emotions of the victim/s or the victims/s family in order to move the case forward.  However there have been cases were the perpetrator of the crime has used the media to extort money or appear as an innocent victim themselves.  It can help to reassure the public that the police are doing all they can to solve this crime/s and appeal for witnesses or the suspect/s to come forward but on the other hand it can result in time wasted on false leads that could affect the outcome of the investigation. 

Following the arrest of Aileen Wuornos the media intrusion in this case prior to, during and following the trial was ethically wrong.  Politics and movie deals that resulted in the re-election of a politician and the sacking of police officers impacted on the public’s perception of the case.


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