Impact of Forensic Evidence on Arrest and Prosecution (IFEAP) in Connecticut, United States, 2006-2009 (ICPSR 36695)
Version Date: Apr 9, 2018 View help for published
Principal Investigator(s): View help for Principal Investigator(s)
David Schroeder, University of New Haven
https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR36695.v1
Version V1
Summary View help for Summary
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
This research was conducted in two phases. Phase one analyzed a random sample of approximately 2,000 case files from 2006 through 2009 that contain forensic analyses from the Connecticut State Forensic Science Laboratory, along with corresponding police and court case file data. As with Peterson, et al. (2010), this research had four objectives: 1) estimate the percentage of cases in which crime scene evidence is collected; 2) discover what kinds of forensic are being collected; 3)track such evidence through the criminal justice system; and 4)identify which forms of forensic evidence are most efficacious given the crime investigated.
Phase two consisted of a survey administered to detectives within the State of Connecticut regarding their comparative assessments of the utility of forensic evidence. These surveys further advance our understanding of how the success of forensic evidence in achieving arrests and convictions matches with detective opinion.
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Precinct
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Access to these data is restricted. Users interested in obtaining these data must complete a Restricted Data Use Agreement, specify the reason for the request, and obtain IRB approval or notice of exemption for their research.
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Data Collection Notes View help for Data Collection Notes
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These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
Study Purpose View help for Study Purpose
This study had four research objectives: 1) estimate the percentage of cases in which crime scene evidence is collected; 2) discover what kinds of forensic evidence are being collected; 3) track such evidence through the criminal justice system; and 4) identify which forms of forensic evidence are most efficacious given the crime investigated.
Study Design View help for Study Design
This study consisted of two phases. Phase one analyzed a random sample of approximately 2,000 case files from 2006 through 2009 that contain forensic analyses from the Connecticut State Forensic Science Laboratory, along with corresponding police and court case file data. Phase two consisted of a survey administered to detectives within the State of Connecticut regarding their comparative assessment of the utility of forensic evidence. These surveys further advance our understanding of how the success of forensic evidence in achieving arrests and convictions matches with detective opinion.
Sample View help for Sample
A random stratified sample of assaults, burglaries, robberies, and rapes were pulled from the Connecticut State Forensic Science Laboratory as well as all homicide cases. To be eligible for sampling, evidence collected in connection with a criminal investigation must have been submitted to the Connecticut State Forensic Science Laboratory between 2006 and 2009.
Time Method View help for Time Method
Universe View help for Universe
Forensic crime labs and detectives in the United States.
Unit(s) of Observation View help for Unit(s) of Observation
Data Type(s) View help for Data Type(s)
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Description of Variables View help for Description of Variables
This study contains the 3 following data files: AGGREGATED_BY_CASE_NUMBER_DATA_SET.sav, ANALYSIS_FROM_CRIME_LAB_DATA_SET.sav, and IFEAP_survey.sav.
The first file, "AGGREGATED_BY_CASE_NUMBER_DATA_SET.sav", contains 188 variables and 2801 cases. The variables are all related to the amount and type of forensic evidence in a case for example: victim and suspect demographics, DNA evidence, eye witnesses and whether or not a weapon was retrieved. File 2 "ANALYSIS_FROM_CRIME_LAB_DATA_SET.sav", has 135 variables and 6617 cases. The variables in this dataset are refer to what type of evidence was analyzed in the lab including: hairs and fibers, firearms, footwear, handwriting and suspect and victim demographics. The third data file "IFEAP_Survey.sav" contains 54 variables and 153 cases. These variables gauge importance of forensic evidence in a variety of crimes including burglary, homicide, and rape.
Response Rates View help for Response Rates
Approximately 50% of the police departments, an d50% of the detectives solicited.
Presence of Common Scales View help for Presence of Common Scales
none
HideNotes
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
The public-use data files in this collection are available for access by the general public. Access does not require affiliation with an ICPSR member institution.
One or more files in this data collection have special restrictions. Restricted data files are not available for direct download from the website; click on the Restricted Data button to learn more.