This article examines quantitative and qualitative data in an analysis of the workings of a specialist rape investigation unit and compares its performance with a non-specialist investigative approach over a two-year period. Prior to this study, no robust research that compares specialist and non-specialist rape investigations has been conducted. The research finds that the specialist unit outperformed the non-specialist investigative approach in many, though not all performance measures, including charging and 'reached court' rates in rape cases, retention of cases characterised by complex victim vulnerability, allocation of Sexual Assault Investigation Trained (SAIT) officers, rate of referral to Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) and accuracy of crime recording. Further, police officer interview data suggests that team working and support, communication and a sense of common purpose were definitive features of the specialist unit, when contrasted to experience of working in a non-specialist policing environment. These findings have policy and resource implications for the policing of rape and the need to achieve the best possible investigative standards in sexual offence cases, including the provision of appropriate care and addressing the needs of highly vulnerable victims. The article concludes by arguing that there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that investigative specialism is a crucial element in the police response to rape.
This article draws upon quantitative and content analysis of 585 reports of rape recorded within two police force areas in England in 2010 and in 2014 tracking individual incidents to eventual outcome to examine the impact, if any, of intersecting inequalities on trajectories
The police service has a long history of using narrowly focused investigative units to perform tasks that require specialist skills and techniques in response to crime. In the United Kingdom, there has been recognition of the utility of specialist investigation units in dealing with cases involving rape since at least the early 1980s. The rationale underpinning the creation of specialist units to investigate rape cases include-improving the quality of police investigations and victim care; increasing the skills of officers; improving victim engagement and developing better inter-agency working. 1.2 The core characteristics of a specialist rape investigation unit revolve around recruitment, victim focus, improvement and investigative skills:
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