This thesis details the development and evaluation of a new photofitting approach. The motivation for this work is that current photofit systems used by the police - whether manual or computerized - do not appear to work very well. Part of the problem with these approaches is they involve a single facial representation that necessitates a verbal interaction. When a multiple presentation is considered, our innate ability to recognize faces is capitalized (and the potentially disruptive effect of the verbal component is reduced). The approach works by employing Genetic Algorithms to evolve a small group of faces to be more like a desired target. The main evolutionary influence is via user input that specifies the similarity of the presented images with the target under construction. The thesis follows three main phases of development. The first involves a simple system modelling the internal components of a face (eyes, eyebrows, nose and mouth) containing features in a fixed relationship with each other. The second phase applies external facial features (hair and ears) along with an appropriate head shape and changes in the relationship between features. That the underlying model is based on Principal Components Analysis captures the statistics of how faces vary in terms of shading, shape and the relationship between features. Modelling was carried out in this way to create more realistic looking photofits and to guard against implausible featural relationships possible with traditional approaches. The encouraging results of these two sections prompted the development of a full photofit system: EvoFIT. This software is shown to have continued promise both in the lab and in a real case. Future work is directed particularly at resolving issues concerning the anonymity of the database faces and the creation of photofits from the subject's memory of a target.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Abstract EXAMINING CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS’ ATTITUDES AND RESPONSIVENESS TOWARDS INTIMIDATED WITNESSES ON THE LOCAL LEVEL: AN EXPLORATORY ANALYSIS By Michon J. Moon, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011 Major Director: Laura J. Moriarty, Ph. D, Professor and Vice Provost of Academic and Faculty Affairs L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs The study explored criminal justice professionals’ attitudes and responsiveness toward witness intimidation on the local level based on their occupation and region of employment. Intimidated witnesses are vulnerable individuals that have fallen victim to competing social and civic expectations to which neither allow much consideration for the witness’ safety. This problem is evident in that too many local criminal justice agencies have yet to formulate substantive plans and dedicated sufficient resources to effectively address the growing problem of witness intimidation. A total of 59 major crime detectives, 52 prosecutors and 5 executive administrators from two regions of Virginia participated in the study. Major crime detectives and prosecutors were administered an online survey to gage their attitudes about intimidated witness issues and the administrators who are responsible for the allocation of resources and policy mandates for their respective agencies participated in interviews. Overall, 39 percent of prosecutors and 45 percent of detectives indicated that intimidation was more likely to occur in cases involving homicide, rape, aggravated assault, drug activity, gang activity, robbery, and domestic violence. On average 38 percent of detectives and 31 percent of prosecutors agreed that relocation assistance was warranted in circumstances such as, perceived threats, threatening calls, assault on witness, assault of family member, drive-by shootings, vandalism, stalking, domestic violence. Conversely, on average only 18 percent of prosecutors and 22 percent of detectives indicated that their agencies’ would more than likely provide relocation assistance to intimidated witnesses in these same cases. Appended are details of study, methodology, quantitative and qualitative analyses, as well as, demographic characteristics of study participants.

AND KEY WORDS The purpose of my thesis is to analyze the institute of criminal informant as a legal instrument in the fight against organized crime. I introduce the historical background of cooperation between criminals and state on uncovering criminal activities. Then I follow with the analysis of current Czech legislation of cooperating accused and the so far limited cases of its application and also offer a comparative view of the law and its application in United States, Great Britain and Slovakia. The thesis is composed of six chapters. Chapter One is introductory and defines basic terminology used in the thesis: cooperating accused and crown witness. In this chapter I argue that the terms can be used interchangeably In the second chapter I introduce the history of cooperation between criminals and the state. Special subsection deals with the development of Czech legislation on cooperating accused. Chapter Three examines relevant Czech legislation and the limited number of documented cases of application of the institute. Chapter Four offers a comparative view of relevant legislation and approach to decision-making by trial courts in the United States and Great Britain and also the legislation passed in neighboring Slovakia. Chapter Five concentrates on problems resulting from organized crime,...

1 Abstrakt - Examination of a witness in civil proceedings The theme of this thesis is an examination of a witness in civil proceedings. The reason for choosing this theme was the internship at the District Court I had absolved, which allowed me to become more familiar with this topic and to know certain specifics of this means of evidence. Since the examination of a witness is one of the most frequent and used means of evidence, it deserves attention by itself. The thesis is composed of eight chapters. The first chapter deals with history of examination of a witness in the Czech lands, which was significantly influenced by old Roman civil procedure. Medieval civil proceedings in its early stages used in particular official witness provided in written form. In the course of time, the civil proceedings desisted from the official witness and oral testimonies prevailed. An interesting part of this chapter is an excursion into the heart of the oldest Czech legal documents and the view of the literal legislation of testimony. The aim of the following chapter is an overview of basic concepts and principles affecting the process of inquiry and evidence in general, which makes it easier to understand the following chapters, which are already dealing with the current legislation of examination of a witness. Under...

This thesis focuses on organized crime that has recently become one of the most serious global problems threatening the stability, security and development of civil society. At the beginning of the thesis, its author defines a basic term ,,organized crime" and its relation to the organized criminality. Then the author deals with the history of organized crime groups, describes the most important of the groups, and concentrates on new forms of organized crime. Furthermore, the author lists Czech and international substantive and procedural legal regulations with regard to the organized crime. Finally, the author discusses other non-legal means of the fight against the organized crime. The main part of the thesis is devoted to the methodology of investigation with a focus on specific initiatives and the subject of investigation, initial and subsequent acts, and the specific versions of investigation, planning, organization of investigation, and prevention. In greater detail, the thesis deals with methods of witnesses hearing, and especially with the legal concept of a secret witness, and protection provided to witnesses by special law, and the concept of a cooperating accused person. The thesis also analyzes operative and investigative means and other means of investigation.

- The examination of witness in a criminal process According to the title of this final paper, it concerns the most important procedural technique under the criminal process - the examination of a witness. It is the most widespread criminalistic and criminal technique which is irreplaceable in the criminal process. The basic task is finding the facts of the case beyond a reasonable doubt. A witness, as a person who testifies to circumstances of an examined case which he remembered and kept in his memory, is one of the basic institutes of criminal law next to the examination. His testimony is very important in checking, investigation and clarifying crimes and other criminalistic relevant events, more precisely in the whole process of clarifying criminal activities. The master's degree thesis is divided into six chapters. The principal part of the thesis is formed by the second chapter to the fourth one. In the introduction the history of the examination, the goal and the structure of the paper are mentioned shortly. The first chapter contains the definition of examination and kinds of examination and creates the beginning of the whole thesis. The important part of the paper is devoted to a witness. A witness is a person who perceives with his senses facts which are important for finding the facts...

The aim of this Diploma thesis is to elaborate on the topic of the fight against organized crime with a focus on criminal instruments of such a fight. Organized crime is undoubtedly a unique and dynamic phenomenon that penetrates almost every area of society. Currently it is one of the most serious global risks threatening the stability, security and development of civil society. The Diploma thesis begins with the definition of terms such as organized crime, then it deals with the causes, structure, selected forms of organized crime as well as its perception in the international community. The following chapter deals with the historical development of organized crime and the context between its boom in our territory and the fall of the Iron Curtain. The third chapter is a key part of this thesis and contains a substantive regulation of the prosecution of organized crime. It defines the terms of an organized criminal group and an organized group contained in the Criminal Code, describes the offense of participating in an organized criminal group and the limits of punishing this crime. The next chapter de lege lata discusses the most effective procedural instruments for combating organized crime, in particular the operational investigative means of criminal investigation. The penultimate chapter...

The aim of the thesis is an analysis of the topical legal form of the cooperating defendant. It is divided into 5 chapters. In the first chapter there are given concepts of the crown witness and the cooperating defendant, added deliberation of de lege ferenda. In the second chapter the author gives particular principles of the prosecution and describes in what way the institution of the cooperating defendant influences them. The third chapter is devoted to the organized crime and the legal means which are applied to its prosecution. In the fourth chapter the modification of the institution of the cooperating defendant is decribed in detail. In this chapter the author points out the importance of the confession of the status of the cooperating defendant , the motivation, the verbal testimony, the protection of the cooperating defendant. Further the author takes a possible application of the institution of the hidden witness for cooperating defendant into consideration. In the last chapter the author gives cases, where an aplication of the institute of cooperating defendant is used. In the case studies the author especially aims at the testimony of cooperating defendent. The admission of the status of the cooperating defendant and what kind of punishment was given to the cooperating defendant in...

Thesis advisor: Paul S. Gray / Can a vivid presentation about a tragic chapter of history elicit in viewers an empathetic reaction, as well as evidence of the telescopic perspective Mills[1] ([1959] 2000) described as the "sociological imagination"? Does the addition of victims' voices make a noticeable difference in their response to the historical event, as well contemporary controversies? Some scholars propose that oral histories, especially witness testimonies, have the potential to reach audiences more deeply than facts alone. "Narratives," as K. Slobin observed, "unfold with flesh and blood...encouraging empathy, identification and a humanization of content" (in Bochner and Ellis, 1992:171).[2] But, little systematic research has examined how or to what extent personal testimony may encourage empathetic understanding and a broader, more nuanced understanding of social problems. In an era where entertainment content skews toward "reality" programming and technology supersedes face-to-face interactions, the challenge to pierce cultural white noise is great. Educators, then, must figure out ways to counteract the desensitization, apathy and cynicism that follow these trends--but in ways that are proven, effective and lasting. My research sought to discover if victim narratives help students connect intellectually and emotionally with lessons about social justice. Thirteen undergraduate classes were exposed to three variations of a fact-based, multimedia presentation about Japanese internment in America during WWII. Each presentation included the same photographs, newsreel, and factual information. Presentations varied, however, in their use of survivor testimony and in the manner of its incorporation (video versus written accounts). Two groups of the sample were exposed to survivors describing their experiences in the internment camps. All groups completed surveys, and 21 participants gave extensive interviews. Data analysis examined information recall, sociological perspective, emotional response, empathetic identification and predictions of future behavior. The experiment generated much-needed empirical data on the efficacy of testimony and its ability to shape attitudes, broaden world view, and possibly influence behavior. These findings will assist educators in anticipating outcomes associated with various heuristic strategies, especially those including witness testimonies. [1] Mills, C. Wright. 1959. The Sociological Imagination. New York: Oxford, 2000. [2] Bochner, Arthur P. and Caroyln Ellis. 1992. "Personal Narrative as a Social Approach to Interpersonal Communication." Communication Theory 2(2)165-172. Comment from K. Slobin is listed as a personal communication with the authors in February 1991. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2012. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Sociology.