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Constructing Verdicts in the Coronial System

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Deaths After Police Contact

Part of the book series: Critical Criminological Perspectives ((CCRP))

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Abstract

It has been established that the coronial system has relatively ambiguous aims and processes, and is essentially regional. The ambiguity stems from, and is driven by discretion, and the regional nature of the system emphasises both ambiguity and discretion. These issues are particularly apparent in the way that narrative verdicts are recorded in the coronial system in cases of DAPC. The wide variety of format, style and content in narrative verdict construction emphasises the non-systematic and relational nature of accountability construction in the coronial system. The chapter uses sixty-eight narrative verdicts to examine how juries use specific measurements to assess actions and inactions related to state organisations in these cases. This highlights the fundamental importance of how and why parameters are constructed in the first place in order for juries to be able to use them.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Duty Detention Officer.

  2. 2.

    References to codes of practice in the 1984 Police and Criminal Evidence Act.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Coventry University, Coventry, UK

    David Baker

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  1. David Baker
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Baker, D. (2016). Constructing Verdicts in the Coronial System. In: Deaths After Police Contact. Critical Criminological Perspectives. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58967-5_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58967-5_4

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-58966-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-58967-5

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