A significant amount of a prosecutor’s time and resources are spent analysing the brief of evidence, confirming the relevance of evidence and witnesses, and preparing strategies to present that evidence in prosecution proceedings.
The presentation of evidence in the proceedings may actually constitute a fraction of the prosecutor’s time and resources allocated to a particular case.
“If the brief of evidence received by prosecutors already had some form of evidence analytics (i.e. clearly mapped relevance of evidence and witnesses to the elements of the offences plus a chronology of events with associated exhibits) then the time spent by prosecutors analysing and preparing for proceedings would be significantly reduced,” said Comtrac’s Founder and CEO, Craig Doran.
An Analogy
Another way to look at it is the analogy of writing a book review to present to an audience. Consider which of the following would be the most efficient way to get the book review delivered to the audience?
- The author delivers the book to the presenter, the presenter reads the entire book, analyses the relevant areas of the book, then prepares the book review? or;
- The author of the book delivers both the book and the analysis of the book to the presenter, the presenter then confirms the analysis and prepares the book review.
Investigators are the authors of briefs of evidence and prosecutors are the reviewers and presenters of the brief to proceedings.
Where Prosecution Investigation Management Is Headed
Public prosecution is under increased pressure with complexities of briefs of evidence and the increasing number of prosecutions.
“There are realistically only two options for relieving these pressures; increase the number of prosecutors or improving efficiency in the process of preparation for prosecution.One of these solutions would have a significant increase in human resource cost. The other can be achieved through a simple change of investigation and evidence management methodologies known as Elementising Evidence,” outlined Craig.
Comtrac’s investigation management software assists you in providing high-quality digital briefs of evidence to legal representatives and prosecution. By using the predetermined elements, the prosecution can be confident that the briefs are high quality.
Are you interested in finding out how Comtrac can support your investigations? Book your 30-minute, no obligation demo today.
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