Ethical Conditions

Ethical conditions can involve the use of the media during the investigation process. The use of media can either hinder or help the investigation, depending upon what is being portrayed and whether it is being controlled or not. As media can help publicise the investigation which could bring key witnesses forward, this may have essential information in solving the case. It could also prompt the community to help, for example if there’s a missing person, the community could conduct a wide search, which may lead to finding a body or potential evidence. Also news reports may shows individuals pleading for information regarding to their case. Behavioural experts with are specialised to look at the way individuals presents themselves are then able to analyse them, and see if they are showing traits of guilt, such as the mother of the Shannon Matthews case.

 However if the media isn’t controlled that it could significantly hinder the investigation, this is because it can cause mayhem within the location where the crime is being committed. As individuals from there may be worried about their own safety therefore it will pressure the police to find answer quickly. As a result of them working at a faster piece they may miss vital information, which could have led them to a specific suspect. 

In the case of Paul Morin, once the body was found reports turned up immediately. Essentially they distracted the police from their line of work as they were continually shouting questions, in which the police ignored as the site was exposed and they needed to collect as much evidence as possible before the weather conditions worsened.