Sentinel Events and Criminal Investigative Failures

• In Event: Assessing Outcomes and Performance in Criminal Investigations

Abstract

Criminal investigative failures and wrongful convictions are sentinel events signaling underlying structural problems. They are often the product of multiple errors within weak system environments. Comprehensive analyses of these events, following formats similar to those employed in transportation and medicine, can help us understand their underlying causes. In this NIJ-funded project, we have conducted case deconstructions of such failures to determine the nature of and relationships between their causal factors, and outlining the systemic nature of the overall failure. Failure factors are identified and grouped according to primary (proximate), or secondary/tertiary (supporting) causes. They are further classified as personnel issues (e.g., confirmation bias, inexperience), organizational problems (e.g., groupthink, insufficient resources), or situational features (e.g., stranger crime, poor community cooperation). Concept maps are used to display relationships and interactions in the causal factor networks. The results of the study will serve as the basis for suggesting improvements in criminal justice policies and organizational procedures.

Author

• Kim Rossmo, Texas State University