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witness assistance programs  

Definition

  • Witnesses are often critical for the investigation and prosecution of offenses because they can usually identify the offender and the offense he or she committed, which are the two most important factors for a successful prosecution. This is illustrated by a survey of 159 police officers who were asked the question, “How often do witnesses provide the major leads for an investigation?” Eighty-seven percent said “normally,” “almost always,” or “always.” However, several factors can limit the impact of witnesses. [Source: Encyclopedia of Victimology and Crime Prevention; Witness Assistance Programs]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/witness_assistance_programs

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