Progression of cases submitted by the police to the CPS for charging decisions

Product Description

The main aim of this research project was to explore the factors that influence the progression of cases sent by the police to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a charging decision. The research primarily focussed on case progression from crime recording up until charge or decision to no further action (NFA) by the CPS.

A mixed method research design was used for the study that included analysis of a sample of 1,002 criminal case files submitted to the CPS for a charging decision and 55 semi-structured interviews with police and CPS staff involved in case progression. The case files covered victim-based crimes where the suspect was not remanded by the police. Rape and serious sexual assaults were excluded from the sample. The data collection was focussed in 4 territorial police forces in England and Wales.