Is Pre-recorded Witness Testimony 'Achieving Best Evidence' in Sexual Offence Trials?

研究人员探讨了特别措施在刑事司法程序不同阶段的影响。然而，英国少数专注于预先记录的证据的实证研究早于计划引入预先记录的盘问，这是迄今为止最具争议的措施，但可能会产生最大的影响--无论是在证人福利方面还是在审判方法方面。尽管司法部关于预先记录的盘问的试点提供了初始数据，但仅限于涉及“脆弱的”儿童证人和精神残疾的案件。然而，这项研究将调查涉及受到恐吓的成年证人的性犯罪案件中预先记录的证据，解决文献和法律指导中类似对待易受伤害的儿童和受到恐吓的成年人的趋势。它还将探讨在实施这项措施可能最有问题的案件中使用预先记录的盘问的做法，即涉及历史上的儿童打扮、性贩卖或轮奸案件的多名被告案件，其中几名辩护人可能希望讯问同一证人。此外，既然剩下的最后一项措施即将实施，在提出进一步改革建议之前，有必要了解这些措施如何相互作用。这项研究将探索文献中的这一差距，考虑这两种类型的预先记录的证人证词是否“获得最好的证据”，并为被告和受到恐吓的证人提供公平的审判。它将调查预先记录的证据对证据的质量和可信度、审判程序、实体权利和审判理念的影响，质疑证人证据的审前记录的程度：(I)影响对证人进行讯问的方式，例如询问的风格、长度、类型，以及在预审听讯中对辩护律师施加的限制是否不适当地限制了他们有力盘问被告的能力；(Ii)阻碍或提高证据的质量和可信度；例如，预先记录的证据是否导致陪审团脱离参与、不那么有说服力和阻碍重新讯问证人的机会。(3)对案件管理和审判战略的影响，例如，快速通道程序和证据披露协议的运作是否在实践中给案件准备工作带来问题。(4)表现出更广泛地背离二元对立的司法模式，例如，鉴于受害者的参与权得到越来越多的承认，重点转向审前程序，通过使用技术使审判“非物质化”，以及在审判时更多地使用庭外陈述。合作、定性的研究战略最适合这个项目，因为我想对法律专业人员对预先记录的证据的关注进行详细评估。

Researchers have explored the impact of special measures at different stages of the criminal justice process. However, the few empirical studies focusing on pre-recorded evidence in the UK pre-date the planned introduction of pre-recorded cross-examination, which is the most controversial measure to date, yet is likely to have the greatest impact - both in terms of witness welfare and trial methodology. Though an MoJ pilot on pre-recorded cross-examination provided initial data, it was restricted to cases involving 'vulnerable' child witnesses and those with mental disabilities. This study, however, will investigate pre-recorded evidence in sex offence cases involving 'intimidated' adult witnesses, addressing the tendency in the literature and legal guidance to treat vulnerable children and intimidated adults analogously. It will also explore the operation of pre-recorded cross-examination in cases where the measure is likely to be most problematic to implement, i.e. multi-defendant cases involving historic child grooming, sex trafficking or gang rape cases where several advocates may want to examine the same witness. Moreover, now that the last remaining measure is set to be implemented, there is a need to understand how these measures interact before further reforms are proposed. This study will explore this gap in the literature by considering whether both types of pre-recorded witness testimony 'achieve best evidence' and provide a fair trial for defendants and intimidated witnesses. It will investigate the impact of pre-recorded evidence on the quality and credibility of evidence, trial procedure, substantive rights and trial philosophy by questioning the extent to which pre-trial recording of witness evidence:(i) affects the way that the examination of witnesses is conducted, e.g. style, length, type of questioning and whether restrictions placed on defence counsel at pre-trial hearings unduly restricts their ability to robustly cross-examine the accused; (ii) impedes or improves the quality and credibility of the evidence; e.g. whether pre-recorded evidence causes the jury to disengage, is less persuasive and obstructs opportunities for re-examining the witness. (iii) impacts on case management and trial strategy, e.g. whether the operation of fast-track procedures and evidence disclosure protocols pose problems for case preparation in practice. (iv) is symptomatic of a broader departure from the dyadic, adversarial model of justice, e.g. in view of increasing recognition of the rights of victims to participate, the shift in emphasis towards pre-trial procedures, the 'dematerialisation' of the trial through use of technology, and greater use of out of court statements at the trial.A collaborative, qualitative research strategy is most suitable for this project because I want to conduct a detailed evaluation of legal professionals' concerns regarding pre-recorded evidence.